Councils’ opposition to merger proposals for local authorities

A total of 45 submissions were accepted by the committee overseeing the local government review in Galway before the deadline closed.

The review was set up by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Alan Kelly to “carry out an objective review of local government arrangements in Galway City and County, including the boundary of Galway City, the local government areas and the local authorities for such areas, and to make recommendations for improvements in such arrangements”.

In its lengthy submission, Galway City Council concluded there was no evidence to suggest that a merger of the two local authorities would result in a more efficient entity or any improvement to service delivery.

“Further it is considered that any amalgamation could impact negatively on the current success of the city through a diluted focus, which would negatively impact on the county and on the region,” the submission stated.

City Hall held consultation meetings with councillors and there was consensus that a case for a limited and targeted extension to the city/county boundary, specifically in the areas of Ardaun and Parkmore. The potential for further extension of the boundary to incorporate Barna or Oranmore was discussed but opinions different.

“There is merit in examining the current shared services in terms of efficacy and value for money and also in considering the business case for additional services to be delivered by either authority on behalf of both,” the City Council contended.

The submission highlights the experiences abroad, including Queensland, Australia and Canada to bolster its case.

In Queensland there was reduction in councils from 156 to 72 and a reduction of Aboriginal Councils from 32 to 14, resulting in over 700 fewer representatives. Following public disquiet and the election of a new state government, former authorities were invited to apply to de-amalgamate.  Some 19 submissions were received but only four were considered viable and these authorities were de-amalgamated upon further legislation in January 2014.

Galway County Council’s submission criticises the pretext of the review.

The Minister stated that “it is logical also to consider the option of unifying the city and county structures in Galway not least because of the potential of a stronger Galway authority to reinforce the process of economic recovery and growth, not only in Galway but in the West generally”.

“There is therefore a concern that these statements reflect a predetermined preferred solution. It is generally accepted that the issues which pertained in Waterford, Limerick and Cork are not replicated in Galway and therefore the question must be asked as to what problem this review is seeking to solve,” the County Council submission remarked.

“It would appear that there is no evidence of unhelpful competition, policy fragmentation or a lack of coherence between the two remaining local authorities in Galway and therefore it is not clear what problem any merger would solve but it would appear that there are real risks of creating other problems if this option were to be pursued.”

It pointed to the dissolution of three town Councils in Ballinasloe, Loughrea and Tuam and the setting up of five municipal districts over a short period of time. This had left no opportunity for the changes to be fully implemented and their success or otherwise analysed prior to a substantial review of local government in Galway City and County.

“This is in the context of a recent suggestion that the abolition of Town Councils was a mistake.”

However not all submissions were negative.

The Galway Chamber of Commerce voiced its support for an amalgamation, claiming it would be an unprecedented opportunity to “give rise to a unique and powerful engine of growth and prosperity for a new Galway”, headed by an elected mayor who would serve a five-year term.

NUI Galway said it would be in favour of a merger, arguing it “would be useful but not essential to deal with one authority in respect of the totality of our developments on the main campus and at outreaches centres elsewhere in the county”.

It also pointed to the N6 bypass project – which impacted on its campus – as a reason for a complete overhaul.

“A single authority for Galway, coupled with a strong Regional Authority for the west could have produced a less divisive process and perhaps a more acceptable outcome.”

The committee chaired by Professor Eoin O’Sullivan, head of the school of social work and social policy in Trinity College Dublin, are expected to publish the outcome of their review by October.