McKee has a busy agenda for year ahead in east Meath

Fianna Fáil Councillor Stephen McKee was elected cathaoirleach of the Laytown/Bettystown Electoral Area at the Civic Offices in Duleek on Thursday, taking over from Cllr Wayne Harding (FF).

Cllr McKee said it was both and honour and a privilege to have been elected cathoirleach of the municipal district, which covers south Drogheda and East Meath.

"There are many pressing issues in east Meath including road safety and traffic management on all our roads and I would like to see more urgency in solving them. We do have some good news stories too though and we can look forward to the opening within the next year of the new library and civic building in Bettystown.

Cllr McKee said a Local Transport Plan is being prepared for Drogheda and East Meath, which will assess the transportation requirements for the area.

"We also need to do far more for families and provide more public spaces, playgrounds and recreational facilities for children and our youth to enjoy. I will champion more amenities for families in that regard over the coming year. I will continue to lobby also for the Duleek Realm Plan to be progressed to improve the environment for local business to flourish and to enhance the quality of life for local residents."

He said local sporting clubs, groups and organisations are the heartbeat of our communities and they need to be further supported to allow them to grow and to continue to provide a vital social outlet for local people and their children.