WHAT was once termed as a strength, weakness, opportunity and threats (SWOT) analysis, but better known nowadays as a town health check, is taking place in towns and villages around Laois.

"While there’s plenty of opportunities to harvest trees, our public amenity areas should be protected,” said one councillor.

THERE appears to be no room, or very little room, at the inn for seven councillors in Laois when it comes to them, meeting ahead of council meetings. Laois County Council comprises of 19 councillors.

'It’s time for the Government to put it’s money where it’s mouth is in terms of mental health and wellbeing.' - cllr Marie Tuohy.

It’s all Portlaoise centric all the time. While I don’t begrudge that, I think somebody has taken their eye off the ball when it comes to Portarlington, which is the second largest town in the county,”  said the councillor.

CLLR Aisling Moran suggested that as a way of tackling illegal dumping in Laois that property owners should be mandated to have refuse collection bins on their premises.

"We all have personal experiences but, they’re not facts," challenged the councillor.

Cllr Aisling Moran said that a number of years ago councilors were informed that it would cost between €500,000 to €700,000 to construct just one apartment on the site.

A PROPOSITION to scrap the long-held tradition of saying a prayer before the start of council meetings in Laois was roundly defeated when it came before the February meeting of Laois County Council.

A PROPOSITION to scrap the long-held tradition of saying a prayer before the start of council meetings in Laois was roundly defeated when it came before the February meeting of Laois County Council.

The weed has rapidly spread to well over a kilometer and completely taken over a ditch on one side of the road, said the councillor.

Questions were asked about the distribution of public money