CITY CLLRS DEBATE 2013 BUDGET

Date Published: 11-Dec-2012

An amended budget for 2013 has been debated and voted on by City Councillors.

There was some positive news since the initial draft was published last week as Cllrs were advised of over 459 thousand in extra funds due to a lesser than expected local government fund cut, a reduction in insurance premia and revised rates valuation.

The amendment proposed by Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Crowe and seconded by Independent Cllr Declan McDonnell was voted for by 9 councillors and voted against by 6 at a special meeting last evening.

Changes include a cut to Failte Ireland funding of 50 thousand euro and the provision of 150 thousand euro towards a Local Area Improvement Scheme.

Labour’s budget presentation proposed that an increase in the cost of brown bin waste to 10 cent per kilo be rejected.

It was also proposed by Labour that funding is allocated to Galway Fire Services contingent on co-funding from the county council and the retention of the 2.5mile radius for health and safety reasons.

The amendment to the budget proposed by Cllr Michael Crowe included increases to the city promotional fund, arts and sports grants, the civic trust as well as gaillimh le gaeilge.