Poor Attendance by Councillors at Town Centre Forum Meetings Raises Concerns
The issue of councillor attendance at town centre forum meetings has been brought to light following recent comments from Councillor Russell Watton. During a presentation by Coleraine Business Improvement District (BID) officials, Councillor Watton expressed his disappointment over the poor turnout of council members at these crucial gatherings.
"Very poorly attended by the councillors. Very poorly attended. Sometimes apart from myself, Councillor Wisener, and sometimes Councillor Boyle, the rest of them disappeared," Councillor Watton stated, highlighting the lack of engagement from his colleagues.
These remarks come at a critical time as Coleraine BID sought an extension of its funding to continue revitalising the town centre. Coleraine BID sits on the town team forum.
During the presentation, BID officials emphasised the importance of collaboration between the council and local businesses. They showcased their achievements, including organising over 40 days of events annually, which have significantly increased footfall in the town centre. However, the lack of councillor participation at town forum meetings challenges maintaining this momentum.
Councillor Watton acknowledged the overall positive impact of BID on the town centre, stating, "I think it has made a difference. The events most certainly made a difference." He also shared a personal anecdote to illustrate the success of BID's initiatives: "I was jiving with my seven-year-old granddaughter down to Diamond. She thought it was great. I thought it was great, but there were people everywhere. The town was chock-a-block."
Expressing his strong support for continuing to fund the BID, Councillor Watton emphasised the benefits of its activities: "I will be supporting, and as Councillor Wisener says, I will be supporting that we proceed with the funding as per the recommendation."
Despite the positive feedback and support from Councillor Watton, the issue of councillors' poor attendance at town centre forum meetings remains a significant concern.
The active participation of all council members is crucial to ensuring the continued success and growth of initiatives like the Coleraine BID.
About Geoffrey Moffett
Geoffrey Moffett is a local content creator contributing to various media publications across Northern Ireland and the mainland.
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