Local area committees to be replaced in new plan
Municipal districts are to replace the current local area committees operating under Cork City Council if recommendations put to Government are accepted.
The final report of the Local Democracy Taskforce - which was established to review and provide recommendations for reform of local authorities around the country - has recommended the move in an effort to increase devolution and decision making power for local authorities.
The new bodies would have significantly more decision-making and budgetary power under the new system, and would develop specific funding plans for the areas under their remit.
The main sessions of Cork City Council would retain their decision-making power, but the municipal councils will be given more power on a day-to-day level to set policy and finances for its jurisdictions. The changes would see the replacement of municipal districts in Cork County Council.
County Cork
In county Cork, the report emphasised that the plan was not the reintroduction of town councils, which were abolished in 2014.
“The Taskforce considers that the reintroduction of the former town council system, as it existed in the past, would be a retrogressive step, and potentially undermine parity between rural and urban areas,” it said.
While the councils would emphasise towns as economic centres in their areas, they would also have responsibility for rural hinterlands.
The new municipal councils would also be accompanied by improved administrative assistance for councillors to carry out their roles, including assistance with professional development, and a library and research service.
A host of other recommendations have also been put forward as part of the report.
Council oversight and governance (COG) committees would be established to evaluate the performance and governance of the council and hold the executive to account on behalf of the elected council. They would be headed by the mayor, and report directly to council meetings.
A formal political policy discussion forum will also be set up, which will give councillors an official venue to discuss issues with relevant government ministers and TDs. Ireland is one of the only EU member states which does not have any official forum for these discussions.
Minister for Local Government James Browne TD said: “The reforms set out in this plan will empower councillors, enhance accountability, improve community engagement and strengthen the relationship between national and local government."
This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.