Health check for Ballylinan provides important data for regeneration plan
Cllr Padraig Fleming, cathaoirleach of Laois County Council with the Ballylinan Town Team and Laois County Council staff from the Regeneration Section at St Anne's Hall for the launch of the Ballylinan Health Check Report Photos: Alf Harvey
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.
The latest health check report was provided to a packed St Anne’s Hall in Ballylinan last week.
Ballylinan’s Health Check report was based on a comprehensive series of surveys involving community members, local businesses, youth, children and senior citizens. A total of 472 replies were received from a population of around 1,200.
Key findings of the report highlight the village’s strong sense of community spirit, with people expressing a deep fondness for living in Ballylinan and a shared desire for a productive and prosperous future.
The launch was attended by cathaoirleach of Laois County Council cllr Pádraig Fleming and cllr Aisling Moran, who initially requested that the study be undertaken in the village.
Cathaoirleach Fleming said: “This report marks an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to build a healthier, more vibrant and more sustainable future for Ballylinan. It not only provides a snapshot of where we stand as a community but also sheds light on the potential that lies ahead.” Town regeneration officer Denise Rainey said: “The health check is key in understanding both the strengths and challenges of Ballylinan. The report is the first step for Ballylinan village in terms of its regeneration journey.
The regeneration team in Laois County Council has been leading the health check work with Ballylinan’s Town Team and Southeast Technological University (SETU), Carlow campus. SETU conducted the study under the guidance of Dr Sharon Harris-Byrne and Una Grant. The team of students, including international students, actively engaged with the community and gained valuable insight into life in a Laois village.
Ms Rainey said: “They, along with members of the Town Team, stood on the side of the road undertaking traffic counts, which has to be commended.
The results and findings of the health check will serve as the foundation for future planning and will guide the efforts of the Town Team, led by its chairperson Horace Downey and supported by Aideen McHugh and Niamh Conaghan and the wider committees. Along with the support of Laois County Council’s regeneration section, the team will begin the next phase of the village’s development focusing on a regeneration plan for the village. This plan will identify key projects to help revitalise Ballylinan, and with support from the Department of Rural and Community Affairs, funding will be sought to turn these ideas into reality.
The launch evening concluded with attendees encouraged to continue supporting the Town Team in its efforts, while refreshments were provided by the committee of Sat Anne’s Hall and the community got to meet the students and their lecturers, who helped carry out the health check.
