Mayo councillors threaten confidence vote in chief executive

Castlebar councillors are prepared to table a vote of no confidence in the chief executive of Mayo County Council if staffing disparities in the municipal district are not addressed.

Independent Cllr Harry Barrett revealed to colleagues the vast difference between staff numbers in Castlebar Municipal District and other areas in Mayo. He told last week's municipal district meeting that there are 57 staff members in the Castlebar are compared to  87 in Ballina, 102 in Claremorris/Swinford and 105 in Westport/Belmullet.

“Workers are stretched to capacity,” said Cllr Barrett, adding that the Castlebar housing department is under particular pressure. 

“It’s like the loaves and the fishes trying to accommodate people."

He said Castlebar Municipal District is currently short of 12 outdoor staff.

“The panel isn’t in place like it used to be to hire them.

“I want it to go back to senior management that we are not happy. We are not getting our jobs done,” he added.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Al McDonnell remarked that he had a long list of incomplete projects that are down to staffing issues.

Cllr Barrett called on council chief executive Kevin Kelly to address the next meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District and explain the staffing deficit.

“Senior management has decimated staffing numbers in Castlebar over the last 10 years,” Cllr Barrett remarked. "Castlebar is the county town, yet we have been shortchanged on staff numbers, leaving our roads, housing, and vital infrastructure struggling due to chronic under-resourcing. How can we expect to deliver quality services when we have nearly half the workforce of other districts?"

Cathaoirleach of the municipal district Cllr Donna Sheridan said the staffing levels in Castlebar are “absolutely disgraceful”, adding that the situation is “unforgivable". The Fine Gael councillor was backed by her fellow councillors when she proposed tabling a motion that Castlebar elected representatives will issue a vote of no confidence in the chief executive unless immediate action is taken.

“I don’t want to hear about work plans. I want action,” Cllr Sheridan stated.