THE coming together of City and County Council’s into a joint local authority will spark much debate in the coming months, and even if there was a touch of anti-climax at City Hall on this Tuesday, the overall consensus is that Minister Phil Hogan’s decision is likely to result in Limerick taking on an exciting new dimension.
City manager, Tom Mackey, told a meeting that he is awaiting comprehensive information to enable him fully brief the councillors and administrative staff in City Hall.
He has called a special meeting for Monday next.
Newly elected mayor, Jim Long, told the Limerick Post:
“We didn’t get what we wanted but the city council’s role in the new single authority will have the greater force.
“I also welcome the fact that the mayoralty will be for five years and that there will be a reduction in the rate base in the city. However, there will be a loss of jobs involved – in the administration departments and a drop in senior administrative staff”.
Cllr Gerry McLoughlin, Lab, said:
“This will bring the rates down, which will be welcomed – we have to be pragmatic about this.”
Party colleague, Cllr Joe Leddin, suggested that in advance of the merger, both councils must immediately begin the process of working together to agree an overall vision for the development of the city.
“We must move quickly to establish a joint working committee to prepare an overall plan for the city – while it may take a few years to complete a financial contribution from the county council to the city, in the meantime there must be an immediate reduction in the commercial rates for the city.
Former mayor, Cllr Maria Byrne, welcomed the Minister’s accession to bring the suburbs into the city administrative area.
“This will allow for far better planning and development and the entire region will reap the benefit.
“Castletroy, Dooradoyle and Raheen, will now be included in the city area, which will create a viable urban area with a population of about 110,000 and an authority of 184,000, which will lead to much greater efficiency in providing services, and the University of Limerick will also come into the city area”.
Querying the promise of significant savings achieved through the merger, Cllr John Gilligan, said: “There will still be two council buildings with two environment departments and while there can be savings in say, bulk buying and the purchase of equipment, there’s no justification for the minister’s claim that there will be an annual saving of €15million”.
Dismissing the move as “regressive,” Cllr Maurice Quinlivan, claimed there had been no demand for a single local authority.
“Limerick will be unique in Ireland, with just one local authority”.
Meanwhile, Deputy Patrick O’Donovan, Newcastle West, sees the change as positive.
“It will benefit city and county as it makes economic sense and will ultimately serve the people more efficiently than two separate authorities”.
Limerick Chamber of Commerce has also welcomed the decision, as has Kieran O’Donnell, TD.
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