Budget process is ‘torment’ for councillors

HAVING voted against Louth County Council Budget 2019 on Sunday night a frustrated and disappointed Councillor Paul Bell remarked that the budgetary process over the past five years had been an absolute torment for the elected members of the Council.

“At the end of the day having voted in favour of the previous four budgets since 2014 this latest budgetary process was a budget to far. Lack of government funding, dropping Council income coupled with an increasing deficit in democracy for elected members all took its toll and despite the consequences I felt I had no option but to vote against the budget”. Said Bell

Elaborating on his decision Bell stated “In the end I felt that the little input I had in the budget did not afford me the right to protect our most vulnerable citizens and those on low income from cuts in expenditure which would have a disproportionate and lasting impact. Areas such as Council housing stock maintenance, car parking fees including the loss of free car parking in our town which would have an impact on commuters and workers using their cars having already been exposed to increases in fuel costs and fares”. Said Bell

Responding to questions on the threat of dissolving the Council if the budget didn’t pass, Bell remarked “I have never been and never will be a “populist” public elected member. I always give commitment and leadership to the citizens who elect me. The budget which has now passed did not meet the objectives which I have worked hard to pursue. I am also concerned about the cuts which will impact on new business and which may give the impression that Louth is no longer open for business.’