West Mayo councillors slam ‘demeaning’ budget meeting
Cathaoirleach Cllr Peter Flynn described the meeting as 'demeaning'. Picture: Michael McLaughlin
A budget meeting for the Westport-Belmullet Municipal District last Wednesday was described as ‘demeaning’ to councillors and council officials by the cathaoirleach, Cllr Peter Flynn.
Councillors were unanimous in their anger at the requirement for the online meeting to take place before the passing of the full Mayo County Council budget meeting. The budget before them was blank in every aspect bar General Municipal Allocation grants. The figure for that was €490,000, which Cllr Flynn said was a tiny fraction of the overall budget for the district, which was €60m last year.
“This is the most meaningless meeting every year. It is demeaning to councillors and council staff. We’ve no sight of any of the real part of the budget, nothing for roads, housing, amenities etc,” said Cllr Flynn.
Cllr Paul McNamara echoed this view, adding: “This is the greatest load of codswallop and it is happening every year. Why is it happening every year?”
Council official Jim Power said the meeting was taking place "in order to satisfy regulations". He said the Local Government Financial and Audit Procedures (2015) require that a meeting at which municipal district members consider the draft budget must conclude no later than ten days prior to the full council budget meeting.
Councillors said it was pointless holding a municipal district budget meeting before the overall council budget meeting.
“All the key items are blank,” responded Cllr Flynn. “It is an insult to you as officers and us as councillors to drag us into a meeting to discuss nothing. It is farcical."
Cllr Flynn proposed to write to James Browne, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and to John Cummins, the Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government asking to change the legislation "that is making a mockery of the system". That was seconded by Cllr John O’Malley. Councillors agreed to reject the budget.
“Thank you for taking valuable time out from your day for a wasted meeting,” Cllr Flynn concluded.
- Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
