The dispute between Carrick-on-Suir County Council and an action group campaigning to save 27 parking spaces on Carrick-on-Suir’s Main Street has taken a new twist with the submission of a complaint to the Standards in Public Office Commission.
The Main Street Business Initiative has submitted a complaint to the Commission requesting it to investigate what it alleges are “governance failures, breaches of ethics and statutory obligations” by Tipperary County Council in relation to the Part 8 planning application process for the €17.8m Carrick-on-Suir Regeneration Scheme.
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The complaint, which is critical of Carrick Municipal District Director of Services Brian Beck, was submitted to SIPO on September 11.
The Council’s handling of a change to the Regeneration Scheme planning application is at the centre of the MBI’s complaint against the Council.
The MBI is challenging the Regeneration Scheme planning application process as part of its campaign to overturn the scheme’s plan to remove 21 parking spaces on Main Street as part of a revamp of its streetscape.
The MBI’s members, who comprise traders, property owners and residents on Main Street and some adjoining streets, fear the loss of this amount of parking spaces will negatively impact businesses on the street by making it more difficult for the public to park there.
The group is also seeking restoration of six parking spaces removed during the Covid pandemic to accommodate outdoor seating.
For its part, the Council says it’s developing more parking spaces in the Strand Car Park and a new 33 space car park at Stable Lane off Chapel Street to compensate for the loss of parking.
The Standards in Public Office Commission is the latest state body the MBI has made complaints to concerning the Carrick Regeneration Scheme planning and public consultation process.
The others are the Office of the Planning Regulator, the Public Services Ombudsman, the Department of Rural & Community Development and Southern Regional Assembly.
In January, the MBI also handed over to the Council a petition signed by 6,676 people calling for retention of Main Street’s existing car parking facilities.
In a statement, the Council said it was aware of the complaints submitted by MBI since its establishment in May, 2024 and where requested Carrick MD has fully engaged with all of these complaints and provided in- depth responses to all queries.
“It is important to note that we have not been advised of any adverse findings against the Municipal District in relation to any of these complaints,” the Council stressed.
In relation to the SIPO Commission complaint , the Council said any decision to submit further complaints lies solely with MBI.
The Council intended to fully engage and respond to any queries it receives if contacted regarding a further complaint.
The Council said Carrick Municipal District had “demonstrated the regeneration plan was prepared and implemented in line with relevant legislation and having regard to all public consultation requirements”.
The MBI described the Municipal District’s assertion that no adverse findings have been made against it as “both premature and misleading”.
The group pointed out its complaints to the Office of the Planning Regulator and Public Services Ombudsman remain under active investigation and review.
It said the MBI’s establishment in May 2024 was immaterial to the substance of its complaints.
The action group also said it remained confident the forthcoming findings of the Ombudsman will substantiate its grievances .
The Council, meanwhile, has defended its record.
“Since 2021, Carrick Municipal District has been working on behalf of the people, communities and businesses of Carrick-on-Suir to access funding to deliver on a comprehensive regeneration plan for the town,” its statement said.
“To date, approximately €21.3 million in public grant funding has been allocated to the town, including significant monies from Tipperary County Council itself. A further €25.3 million has been invested in the town by other public bodies.
“This investment of €46.6 million into Carrick-on-Suir, represents an unique opportunity for the town to grow and prosper into the future.
“The Municipal District continues to be focused on providing services and supports across Carrick-on-Suir and the wider district.
The Council added that the success of festivals over the summer, the atmosphere in the town on the weekend of the L’Etape Ireland cycle and the build up to the Tractors & Tudors Christmas festivities showed Carrick-on-Suir is embracing the opportunities the regeneration plan is presenting to the town.
In response, the MBI said it acknowledges and commends the ambitious initiatives and substantial investment of €46.6 million earmarked for Carrick’s regeneration.
“This funding represents a transformative opportunity for the town’s growth and prosperity, and we applaud the commitment to enhancing the community’s future.”
The group reiterated its “foremost and unequivocal priority” is the retention of the 27 parking spaces on Main Street. “These parking spaces are indispensable to the economic vitality of local businesses and the accessibility of the town for residents and visitors alike,” the MBI added.
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