Move to restore town councils described as 'flogging a dead horse'

SEEKING the return of town councils was described as 'flogging a dead horse' at a meeting of Mayo County Council.

However, there was broad agreement that expanding the powers enjoyed by the former town authorities to the municipal districts should be considered.

A lengthy debate stemmed from a motion posed by Ballina Independent Councillor Mark Duffy in which he said the county council should write to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage encouraging the return of town councils across Ireland.

Towns such as Ballina had fared badly since their abolition in 2014, he said, with a cut in representation across the board - one TD now (there were then two), six county councillors (down from eight), and all nine town councillors gone.

A locally based approach was best, with the axing of town councils proving to be a 'disastrous' decision for towns across the country.

Their reintroduction to protect, encourage and grow our towns into the future would be very beneficial, Councillor Duffy explained. They needed to empower communities.

Councillor Richard Finn said the introduction of the municipal districts had ensured an equal share of funding around the county to all areas. If reintroduced, town council funding should come from central funds rather than the county budget.

Only bigger towns would have town authorities with his municipal district - Claremorris/Swinford - not entitled to one despite it covering one third of the county.

Supporting the motion, Councillor Christy Hyland said the town councils had maintained very high standards and they were not being maintained today.

Their abolition was the biggest mistake ever made in the State, said Councillor Blackie Gavin, and it would be a great step forward to see them restored.

In Castlebar today, said his town colleague Councillor Michael Kilcoyne, there were weeds growing along the footpaths and estates. That never happened when there was a town council.

The town authorities should be returned and expanded to include towns like Claremorris, Foxford and Balla.

A suggestion was made by Councillor Damien Ryan that this was an opportunity to look at enhancing resources and services given the vacuum that was created.

As a member who opposed their abolition, Councillor Ger Deere felt they were 'flogging a dead horse'. There was no appetite for their return and it is not a priority, he said.

Councillor Jarlath Munnelly suggested that rather than asking for town councils to be reinstated, they should look to expand the functionality of the municipal districts – give them the powers the town councils had.

The smaller towns are probably doing better now as it is more equal, whereas before the town council rate base was kept within their boundaries and the smaller towns outside were starving.

His amendment to the motion to expand the functioning of the districts was agreed.