Enfield’s ‘town team’ still not in place with more diversity sought

A ‘town team’ representing a broad range of interests in Enfield has still not been put in place to drive the town centre first plan which is currently at drafting stage.

Trim Municipal District Councillors were told at their April meeting that when expressions of interest were invited 14 people put themselves forward.

However, Meath County Council's Regeneration Officer, Pat Shore outlined that not all the groups and organisations in the area were represented and they needed a more diverse range.

Councillors have also still not agreed who should be the council representative on the team. Four councillors expressed an interest and have once again deferred making a decision on whether one or two will be selected or if all four would rotate the position, as suggested.

Enfield was one of 26 towns chosen under the Government's Town Centre First Policy. Funding of €100,000 was granted to develop a plan that would create a more vibrant town centre and look at tackling vacancy and dereliction, as well as issues like parking, transport, retail, business and enhancing the public realm.

Paul Hogarth Consultants were appointed to develop the plan for Enfield and held well-attended public consultation events to get feedback from the local community on what they wanted in the plan. The consultants are currently working on developing the draft plan.

Integral to the Town Centre First Policy is the idea of the ‘town team’, made up of local interests who would have input to the plan and help drive it.

Mr Shore said official guidance had not been received on who should make up the town team but generally it is representative of residents, community groups, tidy towns, development associations, youth clubs, older persons, business owners, sports clubs, elected members and people with disabilities.

"We don’t have that diverse range and have to go back out again and look for expressions of interests and try and get reps from each of those cohorts," he said.

Those who already applied are still eligible for consideration and do not have to apply again.

Once more expressions of interest are received, Mr Shore said he would meet with them and from there they would select the town team.

When asked how long the team would be in place for, he said it would depend on how big the town plan they agree is and how many schemes they would implement but he envisaged it would be for a number of years, more than four any way.