Mayo town 'ideally positioned' for town council pilot scheme

A FORMER Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council has said the town is 'ideally positioned' to be part of a pilot scheme with a view to re-establishing a town council in the town.

Myles Staunton believes that the recently established Taskforce on Local Democracy should look to Westport to be part of a pilot scheme to eventually restore town councils around the country.

The former Fine Gael councillor has made the call in light of recent comments by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin who expressed his desire for town councils to be re-established and suggested bringing back town councils through a pilot scheme in areas where such councils existed in the past.

“The Taoiseach’s comments have given towns like Westport a glimmer of hope which Westport should grab with both hands. In my view, every public representative should make it a priority in 2026 to do everything they can to make it a reality,” said Mr Staunton, who is also a well-known solicitor in Westport.

He cited Westport's previous track records and achievements and the town's plans for local initiatives and capital projects as reasons why the west Mayo town should be included in any pilot scheme.

“Westport is ideally positioned to be included in a pilot scheme. If this occurs, given Westport’s track record in cooperation between key stakeholders and community groups in the town, I am certain Westport will not be found wanting,” he said.

Staunton was first elected as a town councillor in 2004 and was elected as Cathaoirleach in 2009 after retaining his seat in that year's local elections.

Abolition

However in 2014, the Local Government Reform Act led by the then Fine Gael Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan abolished town councils around the country.

The decision has repeatedly been criticised by former town councillors who say that towns which previously had a town council are not getting the same services as before and are being neglected.

Mr Staunton was among the critics of the abolishment of town councils in 2014 and added that Westport Town Council 'went down fighting' having made a 'comprehensive submission to the Council of Europe' against its abolition.

“It was, in my opinion, fundamentally unfair to dissolve a democratically elected local authority such as Westport Town Council without any detailed analysis of the activities of our town’s council.

Former Westport Town Councillor Myles Staunton wants a return of the town council system

“The move flew in the face of the principle of subsidiarity and not only denied people the opportunity to enter politics, but also crucially restricted citizens’ access to public representatives, by significantly reducing the numbers. Westport lost nine councillors, each of whom were well known in the town and active on the ground.

“The move also left it next to impossible for the existing councillors to meet the increasing requirements of the people they represent, despite their best efforts,” he said.

Taskforce

In the summer, the Government established The Local Democracy Taskforce, an initiative designed to 'reform and strengthen local government, focusing on structure, finance, functions, and governance'. The aim is also to devolve more power to councillors and 'improve local representation through stakeholder consultation and examining roles of municipal districts and town bodies'.

The taskforce is chaired by former senior civil servant Jim Breslin with Ballinrobe-based county councillor Damien Ryan among the members of the taskforce in his role as Chairman of the Local Authorities Members Association. The taskforce met for the first time in June and it is expected to provide recommendations to the Minister for Local Government and Planning early in the new year.

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In a response to a Dáil question on November 12 last by Tipperary TD, Seamus Healy regarding the re-establishment of town council's, Micheál Martin said he favoured establishing a pilot programme adding that town council's were a connection to people and democracy before they were abolished.

“At the time, I opposed the abolition of town and borough councils. As a democrat, I believe in fundamental layers of democracy. Town councils played a very effective and impactful role in their day. In the first instance, they were a channel for people to get involved in communities and politics and to outline plans and visions for their towns.

“The problem is that when the system gets rid of something, the system then has to be dragged kicking and screaming to re-establish it,” he said.