Galway’s three Town Councils facing the axe

Date Published: 04-Jul-2012

Three of the biggest towns in the county are set to be without local representation in two years time as the Government are to announce the abolition of the town councils in Ballinasloe, Tuam and Loughrea.

It means that 27 elected representatives will be out of a job come the next local elections in 2014 despite an intensive campaign to have them retained.

It is part of the Coalition’s promised local Government reform but it also means that towns will lose significant representation and it could be to their detriment.

While Ballinasloe Town Council has more power than Tuam and Loughrea, all three are considered ‘toothless bodies’ and have often been referred to as mere talking shops.

However, they have highlighted issues in relation to job creation, recreational facilities, parking issues and housing needs that otherwise would not be discussed at Galway County Council level.

There was even a campaign to try and convince the Minister for the Environment to retain town councils but it seems like this has not worked as the dreaded announcement is expected before the end of this month.

It will come as a major blow to many members of the three town councils and particularly as it will also result in them relinquishing the position of a mayor of these towns.

While Tuam Town Council and Loughrea Town Council will simply be axed, there is the possibility that Ballinasloe Town Council, which collects its own rates and is both a housing and planning authority, may become part of a more powerful body involving the five elected members that are part of Galway County Council.

Deputy Mayor of Tuam, Cllr. Imelda Kelly said that the abolition of the town councils would rob places with large populations of a platform to campaign for certain issues.

“While the town council in Tuam has limited authority, at least we had the power to stop development taking place in our public park which was a major achievement on our part.

“We receive deputations from local groups and articulate their concerns and demands to both members of Galway County Council and TDs. If the town councils are abolished, these people will have no outlet in which to express their views”, Cllr. Kelly added.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.