MINUTES OF MAYO COUNTY
COUNCIL BUDGET MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, 9th JANUARY, 2006, AT 2.00
p.m.
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The Cathaoirleach, Cllr. H.
Kenny, was in the Chair.
The other Councillors present
were:-
Cllrs. M. Mulherin, J.
Munnelly, Johnnie O’Malley, A.M. Reape, E. Staunton, S. Weir, P. O’Brien, D.
Ryan, H. Walsh, G. Coyle, M. Holmes, M. McNamara, T. Quinn, C. Burke, A.
McDonnell, P. McGuinness, J. Mee, M. Carty, T. Connolly, J. Cribbin, P. McHugh,
E. Lavin, J. Maloney, G. Murray, M. Adams, F. Chambers, A.F. O’Malley, John
O’Malley.
Apology received from Cllr.
J. Mellett for inability to attend the Meeting.
The Council Staff in
attendance were:-
Mr. D. Mahon, Co. Manager,
Mr. J. Beirne, Dir. of Services / Co. Engineer, Mr. J. Loftus, Dir. of
Services, Mr. J. Condon, Meetings Administrator, Mr. P. Hynes, Dir. of
Services, Mr. R. Norton, Dir. of Services, Mr. J. Coll, Dir., Community &
Enterprise, Mr. P. Duggan, Head of Finance, Ms. T. McGee, Financial Accountant,
Mr. N. Burke, Sen. Engineer, Mr. B. O’Reilly, Sen. Engineer, Mr. S. Murphy,
Chief Fire Officer, Mr. P. Flanagan, Sen. Ex. Officer, Mr. M. Keating, Sen. Ex.
Officer, Ms. C. Kenny, Asst. Staff Officer.
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Proposed by Cllr. P.
McGuinness
Seconded by Cllr. A.
McDonnell
Resolved:-
“That the Meeting commence
with discussion on the Manager’s Report on the Annual Budget 2006, adjourn at
3.30 p.m., and then commence the Monthly Meeting at 4.00 p.m.”.
ITEM NO.
1.
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-
TO CONSIDER THE BUDGET OF
MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING 31st DECEMBER, 2006, AND
-
TO ADOPT THE SAID BUDGET WITH
OR WITHOUT AMENDMENT;
-
TO DETERMINE BY RESOLUTION IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAID
BUDGET AS ADOPTED THE ANNUAL RATE TO BE LEVIED FOR THE
PURPOSES SET OUT IN TABLE B OF THE SAID BUDGET FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING 31st DECEMBER, 2006, AND
-
TO DETERMINE BY RESOLUTION
THE CHARGES TO BE MADE FOR
SERVICES PROVIDED IN RESPECT OF DOMESTIC FIRE BRIGADE SERVICE.
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The County Manager outlined
details of the Budget of Mayo County Council for the Financial Year ending 31st
December, 2006. He made reference to
the following matters:-
- 2 -
-
An estimate of €130,284,685
Revenue Expenditure is envisaged
for the year;
-
Rates on Commercial and
Industrial property is estimated at
€11,424,754 whilst the Council’s Demands on Town Councils is
estimated at €2,305,167.
The County Manager stated
that the Council’s 2006 Budget is compiled in the context of:-
-
2006 is the last year of the
current National Development Plan (NDP)
- 2000 – 2006;
-
The National Development Plan
has a significant impact on the
Council’s activities. The
Capital Programme for 2006 is estimated
at €112 m.;
-
The requirement of the
Council to comply with all current EU and
Irish legislation in its operation.
This applied increasingly in the
environmental activities of the Council;
-
The need to maintain and,
wherever possible, to further develop the
Council’s core services thus ensuring an improved quality of life in
County Mayo. This also entails
the requirement of balanced
development throughout the Council’s services and throughout the
County;
-
The need to keep the
challenges of social inclusion as a priority;
- The need to prepare for the
post 2006 NDP thus ensuring County
Mayo remains competitive,
attractive for investment and enjoying a
good quality of life.
The main features of the 2006
Budget are:-
-
An increased Local Government
Fund Allocation of €35,136,681
(+7.9%);
-
An increase in rates on
industrial and commercial properties of
5.5% and water charges of 8%;
-
The restoration of the
Council’s Social and Economic Fund
(€2.015m.). This Fund has
provided useful projects throughout
County Mayo in the 1999/2004 period;
-
Provision for an increased
Housing Planned Maintenance
Programme on the Council’s own Housing stock;
- 3 -
-
An increased income from
expenditure chargeable to Town Councils
for services provided + 5% to €2.3m.;
-
The processing and payment of
Essential Repairs Grants and
Disabled Persons Grants on a current year basis;
-
The introduction of the
Government’s Rental Accommodation
Scheme which affects tenants in long term rented accommodation;
-
A much increased provision
and much expanded Road Safety
Programme;
-
The formal takeover and
maintenance of the Town Councils’
Sanitary Services functions;
-
The commissioning of the
following Sanitary Services projects:-
- Kilmaine Sewerage Scheme;
- Kilmovee Sewerage
Scheme;
- Aughagower Sewerage Scheme;
-
Work to commence on the
Charlestown Bypass for completion in
early 2008;
-
Development of Carparking
facilities in the major towns of County
Mayo;
-
Further extension of
Broadband facilities throughout County Mayo;
- Expansion of Fire Services
through new Stations at Westport and
Achill and further roll-out
of CAMP (Computer Aided Mobilisation
Project);
-
Increased resources for
Planning and Building Control / Enforcement;
-
Opening of Ballina Library /
Museum;
-
Provision of Commemoration of
Special Events:-
- Michael Davitt – Centenary of his death;
- Admiral Brown – 2007 Commemoration;
- 4 -
-
Special initial provision for
Walking Routes in County Mayo to be
used in conjunction with Department of Community, Rural and
Gaeltacht Affairs Programme;
-
The provision for increased
payroll costs as known or likely to
arise due to the National Wage Agreements;
-
Increased testing of water
supplies to ensure compliance with EU
standards.
He also pointed out that the
County Rate on commercial and industrial
property is proposed at €66.92
in the €, an increase of 5.5% on the current rate of €63.43.
Following discussion, it
was -
Proposed by Cllr. P.
McGuinness
Seconded by Cllr. A.
McDonnell
Resolved:-
“That the Meeting be
adjourned to Monday, 16th January, 2006, at
11.00 a.m.”.
The Meeting adjourned at 3.40
p.m.