2017 allocation is not enough say councillors
GOREY Municipal District councillors presented a united front last week when they decided to reject the draft budgetary plan for 2017, saying that the Gorey district should be given a larger share of funds.
There was some disagreement among the eight councillors during the meeting as to whether or not they should take such a stand, so they took the unusual step of exiting the chamber, leaving the Council officials and journalists inside. When they returned a few minutes later, there were suggestions of ‘white smoke’ as they passed the journalists at the back of the room.
The plan as presented to them involved the sum of €292,000, divided into various categories. This, they were told, was the same allocation as 2016, and did not include expenditure on specific projects which would be applied for separately.
First to speak against the allocation was Cllr Malcolm Byrne who said that once again, the allocation to the Gorey district was the lowest in the county. ‘I’m not happy that the Executive has the attitude that Gorey is the smallest district, so it gets least,’ he said.
Lynda Lacey, acting head of finance with Wexford County Council, told him that the allocation is in line with that of New Ross, and district manager Amanda Byrne said that there are more schools with disadvantaged status in Enniscorthy, so when the allocations for those are taken out, then there’s not much difference there with Gorey either.
Cllr John Hegarty objected to the fact that discretionary spending for councillors in other areas had increased, and he was told that this was to bring everyone up on a par.
Cllr Byrne felt that if there was a ‘one-size-fitsall’ policy, then this should be applied in other areas such as arts, business, and tourism. ‘I’m not happy with the decision the manager has taken and I propose we reject it,’ he said. ‘We should not be fighting here for the crumbs.’
Cllr Robbie Ireton felt it was too late in the day to object after the budgets were worked out. He agreed that Gorey was being unfairly discriminated but felt the time to object was after the budget for the following year.
Cllr Byrne said they have complained in the past about a higher rate imposed on businesses in Gorey. ‘ This is the result of continued frustration,’ said Cllr Hegarty.
Cllr Joe Sullivan seconded Cllr Byrne’s motion, saying ‘ this is the only protest we can make.’
‘We would love to see more money for Gorey but I don’t think the GMA (General Municipal Allocation) is the place to do it,’ commented Ms Byrne.
‘We’re the nice guys in this, and nice guys come last,’ said Cllr Hegarty. ‘Gorey has the highest rates, and the lowest return,’ added Cllr Byrne.
Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin felt that they shouldn’t be pitting one area against each other, while Cllr Mary Farrell said they had to fight for Gorey.
‘I think our battle is with the main budget. It’s not with the GMA,’ said the chairman, Cllr Pip Breen. He agreed with Amanda Byrne when she said that there are bigger projects ahead that will need allocations. However, he also agreed with Cllr Hegarty when he stated that they were looking for a means of making a point.
Cllr Ireton felt that plans to equalise the rates across the county shouldn’t take ten years.
After they returned to the chamber after a quick discussion outside, Malcolm told the meeting that they decided to reject the draft budget, and they asked Ms Lacey to bring their concerns to the Council chief executive.