Galway County Council has passed its annual budget for 2016.
The budget for next year stands at €104 million – and there were tense scenes at County Hall as Councillors argued over the provisions contained with its pages.
The controversial issue of free parking for county towns was not fully dealt with.
The budget for 2016 of €104 million is the tightest budget in recent years and a staggering €56 million less than Galway County Council had to work with in 2008.
Councillor Sean Canney says any talk of new or additional funding is all political spin – and no matter what way it’s dressed up, the Council is looking at serious cuts across the board.
Councillors voted to pass the proposed budget with 24 voting in favor of its adoption, 4 voting against, and 8 councillors refusing to cast any vote in protest.
Key concerns raised at the meeting included roads funding, business rates and the provision of free parking in county towns.
Rates will not increase for the county, but Ballinasloe town will see increased rates – 60% will see an increase of €150, while almost half of businesses in the town will see an annual increase of €100.
Chaos erupted as councillors argued across the floor and went around in circles on a number of issues- prompting Cathaoirleach Peter Roach to tell Councillor Tim Broderick ‘If it’s more of the same, I don’t want to hear it’ when he attempted to raise an issue.
County Towns are set to offer free parking next month once again for the Christmas period – but no real decision was reached on the highly controversial free parking scheme for county towns set to trial next year.
Councillor Jim Cuddy says it’s time councillors grew backbones and start serving the people instead of voting for the unacceptable status quo – but despite his reservations, Galway County Council has successfully passed it’s budget for next year.
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