Council strike rate following marathon debate

AFTER two lengthy days of discussion, members of Mayo County Council have adopted a budget for the financial year ending December 21, 2017.

Ratepayers in Castlebar, Westport and Ballina will pay the same amount - €68.76 in the euro - next year as part of a plan to 'equalise' rates across the county.

That means an increase in rates of 4.8 per cent in Westport and 3.6 per cent in Ballina. Rates in Castlebar, already at €68.76, will remain the same.

The county rate has remained at €68.76 for the past six years but an increased rate will be sought for 2018, council chief executive Peter Hynes has warned.

The proposed budget, with amendments tabled by the Fianna Fáil Whip Councillor Damian Ryan, was finally adopted at around 8 p.m. this evening (Friday).

Counter amendments tabled by Fine Gael Councillor Jarlath Munnelly were defeated, which meant the budget, with amendments tabled by Fianna Fáil, was carried.

Before proposing his amendments to the draft budget, Councillor Ryan explained that it had been extremely difficult formulating a budget which was fair and equitable to every area in the county.

Councillor Ryan proposed that in addition to what was in the draft, an increase in the general municipal allocation of €200,000 to be allocated equally across the four municipal districts.

He also asked for the provision of €70,000 for the Westport 250 celebrations next year and an increase in notice of motion money to every councillor (for local improvement works) from €45,000 to €50,000 annually.

These amendments, which were seconded by Councillor Michael Kilcoyne (Independent), will form part of the council budget for 2017 following the defeat, on a 14 to 11 vote, of amendments proposed by Councillor Munnelly (FG), seconded by Councillor John Cribben (FG).