Council Funding Local authority funding comes from rates, government grants, and services. The annual rate is based on the residual sum, which is the deficiency in funds in the authority’s budget that is not met from expenditure, state grants, local authorities, or own resources. City and county councils are empowered to make rates. Town councils, which were former Urban District Councils and Borough Councils, had […]
Workforce Local authority employees comprise approximately 2 percent of the workforce and over 10 percent of the public sector workforce. Local authorities have powers to employ such persons as they may from time to time think proper and determine and alter their remuneration and terms of employment. Most employment legislation applies to local authority employees. Employment is subject to overall control by the Department of […]
Role of Local Authorities The Local Government Act 2001 updated and consolidated legislation dealing with the constitution and mechanics of local government. It sought to enhance the role of the elected members, expand community involvement and modernize the legislation. The Act followed on amendment to the Constitution in 1999 which recognised local government and fixed a five year cycle. This had followed from circumstances in […]
Ethical Framework Part 15 of the Act sets out an ethical framework for local authorities, elected members, officers and employee. It replaces the existing provisions of the planning code in that regard and expands on the Ethics in Public Office Act. It imposes a duty on members and staff to maintain proper standards of conduct. It provides for issue of ministerial codes of guidance for […]
Convening Meetings There must be notification to members and public notice of the agenda. Notice of the meeting and its agenda is sent to the members. It is also displayed in the council offices. Minutes of the meetings including details of persons present and votes are recorded. There are special arrangements for budget meetings. There must be a quorum. There are provisions for the chair […]
General The Constitution requires that local government elections are held every five years. This provision was inserted in the Constitution in 1999. It had followed periods when local government elections were postponed by law pending local government reforms. Local government elections take place on broadly the same principles as Dail elections. The legislation is set out in the Local Government Act, 2001 and regulations made […]
Plans and Budgets Local authorities must prepare financial plans annually in accordance with guidelines laid down by the Department. They must prepare annual finance statements at the close of each year. There are provisions for making of regulations in relation to the form of accounts, budgets, procedures and other related financial matter. The rules are prescribed by statutory instrument and codes of practice published by […]
Superannuation Scheme The Local Government Superannuation Act 1980 enables the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to establish a superannuation scheme for local government employees and certain bodies in the local government and related spheres. With the consent of the Minister for Finance, the scheme may be made for granting pensions, premiums, lump sums, gratuities including severance, gratuities and injuries benefits and other allowances […]
Annual Meeting In every year in which a local election is held, the annual meeting of the local authority is held on the fourteenth day after polling day. The business to be transacted at the first meeting includes consideration of the election, appointment and nomination of members of joint bodies, fixing days for the first meetings of municipal district members for each municipal district, which […]
Powers The objects of local authorities are confirmed to include taking measures or engaging in activities or doing such things in accordance with law including expenditure as it considers necessary or desirable to promote the interest of the local community. A measure, activity or thing is deemed to promote the interest of the local community if it directly or indirectly promotes social inclusion or social, […]
Strategic Policy Committee The 2014 legislation provides for Strategic Policy Committees to deal with economic development and support for enterprise. A Strategic Policy Committee shall be established for each authority in relation to economic development and matters connected with the promotion and support of enterprise. Ministerial guidelines for their operation may make requirements in relation to consultation of the SPC’s in the formulation of policy and […]