Cabinet to consider radical changes to local government

The Cabinet will this morning consider a plan to radically reform local government, including the abolition of town councils.

Phil Hogan‘s proposals would reduce the number of councillors from over 1,600 to 950

Other measures proposed by Environment Minister Phil Hogan are amalgamations of other local authorities and a voluntary redundancy scheme for 500 staff.

All 80 town councils around the country are to be abolished, and county councillors will instead have a role at district level.

In both Limerick and Waterford, the city and county councils will be merged into a single authority, as will the two county councils in Tipperary.

Cork and Galway will retain city as well as county councils, while Dublin will keep its current four councils.

All of this will reduce the number of councillors from over 1,600 to 950.

The targeted voluntary redundancy scheme should see an estimated saving of €45m per year.

A directly elected Mayor for Dublin is still a possibility, but only after voters in the capital are consulted in a plebiscite to be held alongside the local elections in 2014.

via Cabinet to consider radical changes to local government – RTÉ News.

via Cabinet to consider radical changes to local government – RTÉ News.

Dwyer Rounds on Top Executives “Big Money” – Local – Tipperary Star

Thurles Town Councillor Noel O’Dwyer has launched a stinging rebuke at top members of the executives of North Tipperary and Thurles Town Councils this week stating that “paying big money to preside over an ineptly delivered service in very questionable.”

via Dwyer Rounds on Top Executives “Big Money” – Local – Tipperary Star.

via Dwyer Rounds on Top Executives “Big Money” – Local – Tipperary Star.