Boyle Chamber News

PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2009

The following is an extract from the President’s Report 2008/2009.

The year 2008/2009 has again been a busy year for the Chamber. The Chamber continued to make progress in a number of key areas on its members’ behalf and that of the town.

Representation

The Chamber made detailed representations to the County Manager, the Finance Department and all of the elected representatives in County Roscommon in relation to the issue of spiralling commercial rates and charges to businesses. Boyle Chamber’s representations on these matters were I believe instrumental in securing a reduction in the increase in rates this year and the aim now must be to reverse the trend and to seek a reduction in the overall level of rates if business is to sustain existing jobs and attract others.

The Chamber continues to lobby Government, the Minister and our elected representatives in relation to the issue of Broadband which is seen as being critical to the economic development of the town and North Roscommon.

The Chamber canvassed for and was successful in having one of its members put forward as representative for business on the Board of the newly created Roscommon Integrated Development Company. This member’s inclusion was proposed by IBEC, CIF, Irish Exporters Association, Chambers of Commerce of Ireland, and Irish Tourism Industry Confederation.

In April 2008 we secured a second meeting with the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, his officials, TD’s for the area, and representatives from the Industrial Development Authority and Enterprise Ireland to make representations in relation to a number of issues concerning Boyle including;

• a replacement industry for Green Isle
• establishment of the Boyle Enterprise Centre
• Broadband and its importance to job creation in the area
• Inadequacy of local Government funding and its consequent effect on commercial rates.

In addition to the above submissions were made at both national and county level in relation to a number of issues including;

• The Value for Money and Policy Review of the Metropolitan Area Network System (Broadband).
• The Next Generation Network consultation concerning Broadband.
• Casual Trading By-laws.
• The Retail Strategy as contained in the County Development Plan, the amended County Development Plan to name a few.

Promotion of Enterprise and Tourism

The Chamber continued to work on the establishment of the Enterprise Centre for Boyle and in recent days lodged formal application for Planning Permission with Roscommon County Council. The Chamber also liaised with Enterprise Ireland in relation to the securing of the grant funding for the Centre from them and is also in the process of making application to the Roscommon Integrated Development Company for funding towards the project.

The Chamber hosted an Entreprenurial Workshop supported by Enterprise Ireland , Roscommon County Enterprise Board , Roscommon County Council , The Western Development Commission and Bank Of Ireland which was attended by over fifty people many of whom were starting in business and who benefited from the experience of others and the advise on the night from the speakers from each Agency .

The Chamber played its part in assisting Roscommon County Council in the launch in Boyle of its promotional pack encouraging individuals and business to locate in County Roscommon and entitled “Roscommon an Enterprising Solution“.

We continued our association with Boyle World Rally Festival bringing international attention to Boyle and securing Boyle’s inclusion in future programs by providing financial backing and support. The Chamber also played its part in establishing the new partnership between the Rally Festival Committee and Roscommon County Council in respect of future World Rally events.

The Chamber sought to promote the town through the purchase of the Itouch machines, subscription to the promotional pamphlet and map of the town coordinated by Una Bhán, and contributing financially and otherwise to the World Rally Festival. It is hoped that the launch of the website next Thursday the 30th April 2009 will play its part in helping to promote the town and the county.

Finance

The Chamber contributed financially to the following projects amongst others :

• Redevelopment of street lights at River Lane €2,500
• Redevelopment of Doon Shore Road by Boyle District Angling Club €2,500
• Redevelopment of River lights €1,000
• Contribution to Boyle World Rally Festival €4,000
• Pamphlet on Boyle and map €300
• Christmas lights €700

In addition to the above grant funding totalling €60,000 spent in the area was administered through and by Boyle Chamber of Commerce on behalf of other local organisations.

Strengthening of Relationships

Throughout the year the Chamber continued to develop relationships with many of the Agencies including Roscommon County Council, Arigna Leader, the Roscommon Integrated Development Company, elected representatives at both National and local level, Enterprise Ireland, Roscommon Enterprise Board. The Chamber was happy to nominate Roscommon County Council for the Economic Development award at the Excellance in Local Government Awards 2008 which it went on to win for its investment in Lough Key Forest Park .

Conclusion

The President paid tribute to the members of the Chamber of the Council all of whom contribute their time on a voluntary basis for the benefit of the Chamber members and the town. He said that Business and Enterprise was only one aspect of the community but a vital one in that if the people in our town and our community have jobs and income then much of what else is considered to be important in life will follow. He commented that it is the easiest thing in the world to comment and talk about the issues that concern us and cause us difficulty in our lives but it is quite another thing to stand up and do what has to be done to resolve those problems . The President said that he was satisfied that on the basis of its track record Boyle Chamber of Commerce was doing what needed to be done and would continue to do so. He concluded that whilst these are difficult times for business our best hope of getting through these difficult times was to stick together and to have a strong well supported Chamber to represent the views not just of business but the town as a whole .

He congratulated Jackie Valentine on her election to office as President and wished her well.

The outgoing President is Paul Wynne.

The incoming President is Jacqueline Valentine.