Disappointment among South Tipperary local councillors at axing of councils
Sian Moloughney
Anger, surprise, but overwhelmingly disappointment has been expressed by the town councillors across South Tipperary, following last week’s announcement that the councils which they are members of are to be abolished in 2014.
Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, announced an overhaul of the local government system that will see the County Council remain as the only elected body in the county, following the local elections in the summer of 2014. Town councillors in Carrick on Suir, Cashel, Tipperary Town and Clonmel will no longer exist, being replaced with Municipal District committees of the county council.
The Nationalist spoke to councillors from each of the councils, in the wake of the news - Carrick on Suir, Cashel and Tipperary Town Councils and Clonmel Borough Council. Councillors from each of the towns had mixed views, but almost all spoke of their disappointment.
Member of government parties were not immune from the disappointment, with one even saying he is contemplating leaving his party. Many others say they won’t run for election again. Many described it as ‘a mistake.’
There also a strong concern among the councillors for the people they represent, who, they fear, will not know where to turn for help when they are gone, and will have to deal with ‘faceless officials.’
Although we do know that the councils are to be abolished, it will not be known until early next year what the new ratio of voters to each councillor will be for the new county council. It will not be known until Springtime what the new electoral area boundaries will be.
Read page 3 for more.
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Friday 24 May 2013
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