COUNCILLORS APPLY FOR ‘GOLDEN SHILLING’ IN TIME
LONGEST SERVING MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE LUMP SUM OF £25,000 SEPTEMBER 1998
PRACTICALLY every councillor in Louth exercises the option of applying for a substantial lump sum under the government’s gratuity scheme should they choose to retire before next June’s local elections.
Some could receive a tax-free £25,000. They are tempted by the ‘golden shilling’ reveals a council official in what has been termed ‘ the scrappage scheme’ by councillors themselves.
‘All but a very small number apply,’ points out a spokesperson for Louth county council.
In addition, all councillors who qual- ify and are solely members of Dundalk urban council apply for the money.
It is understood that most of the 26 members of the county council seek the windfall under the Local Authority Members (Gratuity) Scheme by the deadline in order to keep their options open.
The basic condition for application is a least five years’ service.
Those who qualify will get £750 for each year served up to 20 years, and £500 for each following year served up to a total of 40 years.
So, veteran councillors who satisfy all criteria could be in line for £25,000.
Fianna Fáil’s Nicky McCabe would qualify for the full amount. He is the longest-serving member of Louth county council with more than 40 years behind him.
Bernard Markey of Fine Gael has just over 30 years’ service.
However, it is pointed out that this doesn’t necessarily mean Louth county council and Dundalk urban council will have a completely new batch of members.
All councillors may not take up the option of what is effectively an early retirement package for local authority members, ostensibly designed by the government to encourage veteran councillors to step aside to get new, younger candidates to come forward for election.
One of the main reasons there is such a rush to meet the deadline is that councillors are urged by the General Council of County Councils to apply for the package, whether they consider taking it up or not.
This is because the deadline is sacrosanct. There is no provision for late applications.
Councillors can choose to waive the retirement option and stand for re-election in June.
What might also prompt some county councillors to apply are the new electoral boundary changes which come into force for next year’s election, perhaps making it more difficult to retain their seats.
Consequently, there are no firm indications yet as to how many will follow through on their applications. The picture may not become clear until closer to the various party selection conventions.
‘People are really covering their options for the future,’ says a county council spokesperson, adding they are encouraged to avail of the scheme before the deadline, but whether it means there will be a completely new council after next June is another matter.