Galway city boundary extension is kicked down the road

Recommendations on the potential merger of Galway City and County Councils are not likely to be brought before the next Government until April, despite the fact that the expert report has already been sitting on Environment Minister Alan Kelly’s desk for the past two months.

It’s thought the independent ‘Boundaries Commission’ recommends the extension of the city to the east – to include Parkmore and the planned new town of Ardaun – but crucially recommends that the two local authorities should not be amalgamated.

The incorporation of Parkmore – home to the biggest medical devices and technology employers in Galway – into the city area is likely to be hugely contentious, as it would result in a significant loss of commercial rates income to the county.

In that event, the County Council would demand a compensation scheme be put in place. Commercial rates account for around one-quarter of the County Council’s income.

The report has been with Minister Alan Kelly since November 30, and it will have to be brought before the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform.

The independent commission was set up last January to assess whether the city boundary should be altered or whether both local authorities should be amalgamated.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.