Councillors lash out at lack of spending allocation

Councillors lash out at lack of spending allocation


West Mayo councillors have lashed out at the fact that there is no discretionary notice-of-motion money for the four new councillors for the first six months of the year.
Newly elected county councillors Brendan Mulroy (FF) and Christy Hyland (Ind) have criticised the fact that councillors’ allocation for discretionary road works projects – a total of €31,500 for the year between all councillors – was spent before the election.
Cllr Mulroy argued that it was ‘absolutely ridiculous’ that he and the other three new councillors – Cllr Hyland, Cllr Paul McNamara (FF) and Cllr Tereasa McGuire (FG) – were left with no notice-of-motion money for the first half-year of their term.
Cllr Hyland said the lack of funds meant that ‘we are operating with our hands tied behind our backs’.
Cllr Michael Holmes (Independent) agreed, saying that in an election year, a councillor should only be allowed to spend 50 percent of their annual allocation. If they are re-elected, they can spend the rest – if not, the money should go to a new councillor, he said.
However, Cllr Gerry Coyle (FG) argued that the Westport area ‘got its share’ from previous councillors, as the money was spent in the area.
Mayo County Council Area Manager Martin Keating said the matter was totally in the hands of the councillors and said it was only a very small fraction of the council’s overall spend of €11 million in each municipal district.