Áine Ryan
WESTPORT Town Council has agreed on budgetary adjustments to balance the €150,000 shortfall caused by a decision by councillors not to introduce on-street parking charges.
Director of Services, Joe Beirne told last week’s monthly meeting that discussions with councillors had helped to resolve the issue.
The fact that Government’s jobs initiative, announced also last week, included major funding of almost €3.5 million for County Mayo’s roads, facilitated a €50,000 of a reduction from the adopted budgetary amount of €342,700 (down to €292,700).
Expenditure on Street Parking Equipment of €25,000 would not now be necessary and allow another significant saving, Mr Beirne said.
Mr Beirne also agreed to examine a proposal that potential revenue from proposed cutbacks in the contributions to Youth Initiatives (€5,000), Amenity Grants (€10,000) and a contribution to local radio (€5,000) could be sourced elsewhere.
Councillors agreed to other cutbacks including €20,000 to the Environmental Improvements allocation of €31,5000 (now €11,500) and a cutback of €10,000 to the €45,000 allocation (now €35,000).
Mr Beirne said: “While these adjustments are regrettable, they are necessary to ensure that the Council remains in a position to provide the core services that it is responsible for and continue to make strategic investments to develop the town in these challenging times.”
Speaking to The Mayo News afterwards, Cllr Christy Hyland said: “The timely announcement of the government’s jobs initiative and the extra €3.5 million coming into the country for roadworks gave us some room to manoeuvre.”
