SLIGO MUNICIPAL DISTRICT CALLS FOR WITHDRAWL OF WATER TAX

AT IT’S INAUGURAL meeting the Sligo Municipal District Committee suspended standing orders to consider and adopt an emergency motion calling on the Government to repeal the water tax legislation.

The joint motion in the names of Cllr Declan Bree, Cllr Sean MacManus, Cllr Seamus O’Boyle and Cllr Thomas Healy was adopted with 7 of the 10 members voting in favour.  Cllr Hubert Keaney and Cllr Sinead Maguire of Fine Gael voted against the motion while Cllr Marie Casserly abstained.   

Proposing the motion Cllr Declan Bree said “It is clear from the results of the local elections that the vast majority of people have no confidence in Fine Gael and Labour and it is also abundantly clear that the great majority of people are opposed to the governments austerity measures and in particular the proposal to impose water charges on domestic dwellings.

“Water is currently processed and supplied to homes all over the country as is, that means, it is already paid for by taxpayers.

“The imposition of the proposed water tax is demanding that ordinary people pay on the double and it exposes as hollow the fraudulent promises about tax cuts that are being made by government in a desperate effort to buy support.

“Nothing can disguise the fact that the extra money raised from the water tax will be used to help clear the debts of the financial speculators and developers – that is, it will go straight into the back pockets of the bankers and bondholders.  

“This exposes the lies and rhetoric of government Ministers that they are easing off on austerity measures. 

“Attempts by Fine Gael and Labour to portray the new water tax as being about water conservation are total nonsense.  The creation of the Irish Water company is about paving the way towards privatisation of our water services.

“If the water tax is successfully imposed, the next step will be to sell off the service, just as has happened with the bin collection service. The experience of the privatisation of Eircom whereby the extraction of profit became more important than the development of services and has ultimately resulted in the company going into examinership show the inevitable result of the policy of privatisation.

“The water charge like the household tax, the septic tank charge, the universal social charge, and the ongoing cuts in health and public services is in essence a form of collective punishment against the great majority of Irish people who are being continuingly forced by government to pay the private debts of speculators, developers and bankers.   It is unfair, it is unjust and it is immoral.

I therefore propose the following motion: “Recognising the additional financial burden that the proposed new water charges will have on families and households which are struggling to cope with the governments austerity measures; and conscious of the fact that the majority of citizens rejected the candidates and policies of the government parties in the recent local elections; this meeting of the Sligo Municipal District condemns the governments proposal to impose water charges on domestic dwellings and calls on the Taoiseach and the Government to take immediate steps to repeal the legislation relating to the imposition of water charges on domestic dwellings.”

The motion was adopted with 7 of the 10 members of the Municipal District voting for it.

NEWLY ELECTED COUNCIL FACES SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES

SPEAKING AT THE inaugural meeting of the newly elected County Council Cllr Declan Bree said: "Today it is commonly agreed that the Irish local government system is the most constrained, narrow-based and weakest systems of local government in the European Union.  

"The disgraceful decision by the Fine Gael/Labour government to abolish local self government in Irish towns and boroughs has further reduced the level of accountability in the administration of local government  

"Local Government, as it is normally known in the rest of Europe, actually doesn’t exist in Ireland.   Ireland puts a lower proportion of its public spending through local authorities than any other European country.   Local Government in Ireland performs a more limited range of functions than anywhere else in the EU, and thanks to the government and Minister Hogan and the mandarins in the Department of the Environment, we now have the smallest number of local authorities per capita in the European Union.

"In recent years elected councillors have consistently lost powers over road plans, waste management plans, waste charges, the provision of water and waste water services and many planning functions.  Even the decisive role which councils once had over their Annual Budget and over City and County Development Plans has been greatly diminished.   

"In most European countries functions such as Education, Health, Policing, Transport and Traffic are normally delivered and overseen by City, County, Regional and Local Authorities.    However in Ireland decisions relating to these matters are made by unelected bureaucrats, quangos and officials, where there is little or no real democratic accountability.

"Ultimately it is the people, who are being left powerless.

"As we face into another term of austerity it is very clear that those of us elected to this new Council have significant challenges ahead of us." Cllr Bree declared.

BREE WELCOMES GAELSCOIL DECISION

I WARMLY WELCOME the decision of the Department of Education to sanction the appointment of a second teacher for junior infants in Sligo’s gaelscoil and I wish to pay tribute to the Principal Mícheál Ó Broin and his staff, and the management, parents and friends of the gaelscoil who have successfully campaigned and lobbied for the extra teacher.”  said Cllr Declan Bree.

“This is wonderful news for the gaelscoil and particularly for the parents of the 29 children who have been seeking an Irish-medium education as the preferred option for their infant children.

“The department review and the decision to allow a second infant class from next term means that the gaelscoil can now further develop and meet the increased demand for additional places.

“My own daughter Kathie Anna was in the first class of 22 pupils who enrolled in the gaelscoil when it was established back in 1996 so I am very much aware of the significant benefits of an Irish medium education.” Cllr Bree said.

COUNCILLOR DECLAN BREE SAYS THANK YOU

I WISH TO thank everyone who supported my Election campaign.   I was delighted with the result and I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who voted for me.   Topping the poll has been a humbling experience

I see the result as a solid endorsement of my work as a councillor in terms of challenging the behaviour of Council management and also in terms of my work in opposing the austerity measures imposed by Fine Gael and Labour.                   

Thank you to those who supported me  - to my Director of Elections Brenda Barr and my Election Team for a wonderful campaign; to Margaret and to my children and family for their constant support and encouragement; to those who generously donated funds for the campaign, and most particularly I wish to thank all those who voted for me on May 23^rd.

You have given me a powerful mandate to represent your interests in the Council Chamber.

Sincerely

COUNCILLOR DECLAN BREE

EDUCATION MINISTER WILL NOT ACCEDE TO GAELSCOIL REQUEST

THE MINISTER FOR Education and Skills Mr Ruairi Quinn T.D. has told the Dail that the management of Sligo’s Gaelscoil has been advised that his Department is not in a position to accede to the school’s request in respect of an additional class of junior infants in September 2014.

The Minister was responding to Parliamentary Questions submitted by the two United Left T.D.’s Clare Daly and Joan Collins, who asked the Minister if it has been drawn to his attention that the Gaelscoil is now limited to accepting only one infant class of 30 pupils for the coming year and as a result 29 children of parents who seek Irish-medium education as the preferred option for their children cannot be enrolled in an infant class and if it had been drawn to his attention that there are no other all-Irish schools in the Sligo area as an option for these 29 children.   They asked the Minister if his Department would reconsider its decision to refuse sanction for a second infant class in the gaelscoil.

In response Minister Quinn said “In terms of school accommodation, there is sufficient capacity available within existing schools in Sligo to cater for the demand for school places.  In that regard, an additional 8 classrooms catering for up to 224 pupils in the case of the school, in question, has the potential to have a significant impact on other schools in the same catchment area.

“To assess further the pupil enrolment trends in the Sligo area including information on school pre-enrolments for the 2014/2015 academic year, my Department will be contacting the Patron and school authorities of the 13 primary schools in the Sligo area. When this data has been obtained and reviewed, my Department will communicate further with the Patron and school authority in question.”

Speaking today Cllr Declan Bree, who had requested the United Left T.D.s to raise the matter in the Dail, said he was extremely disappointed with the Ministers response.  

“Unless the Minister changes his decision the gaelscoil will be forced to turn away 29 children of parents who seek Irish-medium education as the preferred option for their children.   My own daughter was in the first class of 22 pupils who enrolled in the gaelscoil when it was founded and I know the significant benefits of an Irish medium education.

 “The fact is that the Ministers decision runs contrary to a parents’ constitutional right to seek an Irish-medium education for their children.   Other schools in Sligo cannot meet the demand for Irish-medium schooling – there are no other all-Irish schools available for these 29 children.

“Local politicians now have an obligation to intervene and persuade the Minister to change his attitude.” said Cllr Bree.   

HOGAN KICKS TO TOUCH ON COUNCIL €15 MILLION BAILOUT

THE MINISTER FOR the Environment, Community and Local Government Mr Phil Hogan has given no indication that he will provide Sligo County Council with a bailout of €15 million which has been sought by the new County Manager.

Responding to a Parliamentary Question in the Dail submitted by United Left T.D. Clare Daly, the Minister said “My Department is in regular and on-going correspondence with Sligo County Council in relation to their financial position, including the letter to which the question refers.  It is a matter for individual local authorities to manage their own day-to-day finances in a prudent and sustainable manner.”

In her Parliamentary Question Deputy Daly asked the Minister if he had received a request from the new Sligo County Manager seeking a bailout of €15 million for Sligo County Council, to be paid by installments of €1.5 million per annum over a ten year period, so as to address the accumulated debts of the Council.  She also asked the Minister if it had been drawn to his attention that the annual budgets drafted by senior Council officials and presented to councillors for adoption had led to Sligo County Council having the highest overall deficit balance of all county and city councils.  

She asked the Minister if he was aware that Council had a deficit of €2.8 million in its revenue account in 2008, a deficit of €3.2 million in 2009; a deficit of €2.4 million in 2010; a deficit of €2.9 million in 2011; a deficit of €2.4 million in 2012; and that according to the most recent Auditors Report released in November 2013, the Councils total revenue/capital debt had grown to €94 million.

The Minister in his reply said it was a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources. “The elected members of a local authority have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which includes adopting the annual budget, and are democratically accountable for all expenditure by the local authority.”

Speaking today Cllr Declan Bree said “A bailout of €15 million is barely sufficient to allow the Council to survive.  If the Council hadn’t received a €1million bailout from the Department last December it would not have been capable of adopting its annual budget.  

“For the past number of years Council Management asked councillors to adopt annual budgets that were based on fantasy, budgets that were absurd and unrealistic, budgets that led to massive deficits in the revenue account each year.  And unfortunately the majority of councillors placed their trust in the management and constantly voted for the budgets which has brought the Council to the verge of bankruptcy.  It’s obvious that the Council cannot survive without a bailout.” said Cllr Bree  

LABOUR ACCUSED AT MAY DAY CEREMONY

THE LABOUR PARTY in particular stands condemned for helping to impose a vicious austerity programme which has forced ordinary people to pay the debts of rogue bankers, speculators and developers, Cllr Declan Bree told those attending the Annual May Day ceremony in Sligo on May 1st.

The event, organised by United Left  People First was held in New Street near the former home of the founder of the Sligo labour movement the late Alderman John Lynch.

“During the general election campaign the Labour Party specifically said it would stop the proposed Water Tax if in government.  It gave no indication that it would impose a tax on the family home.  It gave a solemn commitment to restore the breast cancer service to Sligo general hospital which had been closed by Fianna Fail.” said Cllr Bree

“Today as we gather here to mark May Day 2014, we accuse the Labour Party of reneging on its commitments; we accuse the Labour Party of betraying its principles; we accuse the Labour Party of selling out the very people it claims to represent.

“Judas Iscariot sold his saviour for thirty pieces of silver.  The Labour Party has sold its soul in exchange for four lousy seats in a right wing Fine Gael dominated government.”  declared Cllr Bree.

“The forthcoming election provides us with an opportunity to send a clear message to Labour and to Fine Gael.

“The election isn’t just about getting people elected – it’s about building an alternative to austerity and the failed policies of Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fail.” Cllr Bree said.

LABOUR IN PANIC OVER WATER CHARGES

“THE LABOUR PARTY today is in an obvious panic over the water charges – and they have every reason to be.  Labour’s infamous advertisements during the last general election specifically named the Fine Gael water tax of €238 per annum as one of the key things they would stop if in government.   Their betrayal on this will cost them dearly.” said Councillor Declan Bree when he addressed those attending the United Left People First annual Easter 1916 Commemoration Ceremony in Sligo on Easter Sunday.

Led by flag-bearers carrying the Tri-colour and the Plough and the Stars, participants in the ceremony marched from Cairns Drive to the Republican Plot in Sligo cemetery to hear Cllr Bree deliver the oration.

“Attempts by government to portray the new water tax as being about water conservation are total nonsense.  The creation of the Irish Water company is about paving the way towards privatisation of our water services.” said Cllr Bree

“Water is currently processed and supplied to homes all over the country as is, that means, it is already paid for by taxpayers.

“The imposition of this Water Tax is demanding that ordinary people pay on the double and it exposes as hollow the fraudulent promises about tax cuts that are being made by government in a desperate effort to buy votes.

“Nothing can disguise the fact that the extra money raised from the Water Tax will be used to help clear the debts of the financial speculators and developers – that is, it will go straight into the back pockets of the bankers and bondholders.  

“The current government like the previous Fianna Fail -Green administration has betrayed the democratic principles of the 1916 Proclamation.” said Cllr Bree.

Following the oration as a lone piper played a lament, Ms Brenda Barr laid a wreath on behalf of the United Left People First, Ms Laura Scanlon laid a wreath on behalf of the Connolly Forum and Mr Thomas Banks laid a floral tribute on behalf of the People’s Movement.  The ceremony concluded with the National Anthem.
 

EXORBITANT ADMINISTRATION COSTS OF CRANMORE REGENERATION

IT WAS REVEALED in the Dail last week that Council expenditure on the administration of Sligo’s Cranmore Regeneration project has risen significantly.

United Left T.D. Joan Collins in a Parliamentary Question sought a breakdown of the expenditure of funding in respect of the Regeneration project including costs of professional services, salaries and consultants fees.

In response the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment Ms Jan O’Sullivan, provided a breakdown of the €1.38 million which was recouped to Sligo Borough Council in 2013 in respect of the Regeneration programme which revealed that 35% (€490,294) of the funding provided for the Regeneration Project was spent on salaries and administrative overheads in 2013.

The breakdown also reveals that a sum of €100,000 of regeneration funding was spent on the design of approach roads for the proposed new Eastern Bridge.

Speaking this week Cllr Declan Bree said that Council expenditure on the administration of the regeneration project was exorbitant and could not be justified.

“On the last occasion Deputy Collins sought information on funding for regeneration schemes it was discovered that a significant 17% of the funding provided for the Sligo regeneration scheme was spent on salaries, while in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown 1.5% was spent on salaries; in Tralee 1.5% was spent on salaries and in Waterford 4.5% was spent on salaries.

“Now we have this shocking revelation that 35% of the funding allocated for the regeneration of Cranmore last year was eaten up by salaries and administration.

“This funding is supposed to be for regeneration, for the refurbishment of housing stock, for community initiatives and the improvement of the estate, however here in Sligo one out of every three euro is being spent on salaries and administration.

“When the Minister for the Environment asked councils to use their own staff and resources to the fullest extent in terms of supervising regeneration schemes, he did so with the intention of reducing costs.  However the exorbitant costs in Sligo are inexplicable and clearly cannot be justified.” said Cllr Bree.

The breakdown of Regeneration expenditure last year is as follows: Master Planning €232,229; House acquisitions €40,600; Community Liaison Officer €29,514; Cleveragh Park Development project €49,648; Men’s Shed project €34,125; Eastern Bridge approach roads design €100,000; Administrative Overheads €490,294; Social and Community Initiatives €234,334; Minor Sundry Works €95,062; Improvement Works Programme €73,413.  Total €1,379,219.  

€1 MILLION FUNDING CONDITIONAL ON A "REALISTIC AND ACHIEVABLE" PLAN

IT HAS EMERGED in the Dail that Sligo County Council is the only local authority in the country required to submit a long term financial plan which is agreeable to the Department of the Environment and which will allow the Council to draw down €1 million additional government funding which was announced in December. 

The draw down is also conditional on ongoing review of the implementation of the agreed plan by way of quarterly review meetings between Council and Department officials.

In response to a Parliamentary Question from the United Left T.D. Clare Daly in the Dail this week the Minister for the Environment Mr Phil Hogan said “A similar approach was not adopted in relation to any other local authority reflecting the particular challenge to be addressed in the case of the finances of the Sligo local authority.

“€1 million of the general purpose grant allocation to Sligo County Council for 2014 is conditional on a realistic and achievable plan which charts a path to long-term financial sustainability being agreed between my Department and the Council.” he said.

“My Department is in regular and ongoing consultation with Sligo County Council in relation to their financial position and the finalisation of a long term financial plan, a process which is ongoing.” said the Minister.

Speaking this week Cllr Declan Bree said “The action the Department is taking is unprecedented but understandable.   For the past number of years Council Management asked councillors to adopt annual budgets that were based on fantasy, budgets that were absurd and unrealistic, budgets that led to massive deficits in the revenue account each year.  And unfortunately the majority of councillors placed their trust in the management and constantly voted for budgets which brought the Council to the verge of bankruptcy.

“The long-term plan which is now being discussed with the Department clearly needs to be brought before the elected Council for consideration at the soonest possible time.” said Cllr Bree.

BYE LAWS DRACONIAN

DRAFT BYE-LAWS which if adopted by Sligo Borough Council would make it illegal for a person or organisation to use a loudspeaker or loudhailer at any public meeting or demonstration, without the written permission of the County Manager or one of his officials, have been described as draconian by Cllr Declan Bree

“The draft bye laws are draconian and totally unacceptable and should be withdrawn by the County Manager.”  said Cllr Bree.

“During my many years as an elected representative of the people of this community I have never heard of anyone requesting the Council to introduce such bye laws.

“Over the decades loudspeakers and loud hailers have been used for public meetings, protests, demonstrations, marches, rallies, peace vigils, cancer campaign demonstrations and so on.   In our capital city there are protests and marches every week and there is no requirement to have a permit for loudspeakers and loudhailers.    

“Now in Sligo we have these draft bye laws which if adopted would make it illegal for a person or organisation to use a loudspeaker at any public meeting or demonstration, without the written permission of the County Manager or one of his officials.  

“Under the proposed Bye Laws a person who does not have written permission can be removed from the street by the Gardai and the loudspeaker can be confiscated.   The person will also be fined.

“These bye laws are coercive and would not be accepted anywhere else in this country.        

“Why in the name of goodness should those involved in political, trade union, community or anti austerity campaigns have to seek the permission from an unelected council official to use a loudspeaker at meetings or marches.   

“In any democratic society those who engage in political activity must have the right to organise events and use amplification for their events.  

“It is totally unacceptable that an unelected official would have the power to deny permission to political organisations, trade unions or any other community group the right to use loudspeakers at their events.” said Cllr Bree.

BOROUGH COUNCIL SEEKS ADDITIONAL FUNDING

A MOTION PROPOSED by Cllr Declan Bree seeking additional funding for Sligo Borough Council was adopted at the Annual Budget meeting of the Council.

Addressing the meeting Cllr Bree said “Given the significant changes that have come about in the funding of local government as a result of Irish Water being established and with the Department of the Environments fund general purpose grant being allocated on a county at large basis it is difficult to compare particular elements of our draft budget with previous budgets.

“However what is abundantly clear is that the Minister for the Environment blatantly discriminated against this Borough Council when he allocated funding for local authorities for 2014.  

“We are all now aware that following his announcement of the general purpose grant to each Council Minister Hogan provided an additional grant or “top up” of €1million to Sligo County Council to include in its draft budget. 

“This Borough Council has managed its finances properly over the years and always acted prudently.   During the same period Sligo County Council adopted fantasy budget, budgets that bore no resemblance to reality, budgets which led the County Council to the edge of bankruptcy.

“Yet, the Minister has cut funding to this Council while at the same time he gave the County Council €1million extra.   What type of message does that send out?   We are being penalised for acting prudently over the years while the County Council is being rewarded for its incredible behavior.

“Is this the type of treatment that should be bestowed on a Borough Council that has acted responsibly and with due consideration over the years?

“This Borough Council and the people of this town are again being short changed.  There can be no reasonable justification for the Ministers decision.

“As a result of the reduction in funding this Council will be forced to impose further cutbacks in numerous areas and to reduce services to the people of this community.

"I therefore propose the following motion “Alarmed that the Local Government Fund General Purpose grant for Sligo Borough Council has been reduced and aware that a top up of €1million has been allocated to Sligo County Council for its 2014 budget, this Council calls on the Government and the Minister for the Environment to provide a similar top up to Sligo Borough Council so as to assist it in carrying out its statutory duties.”   The motion was seconded by Cllr Chris MacManus and was unanimously adopted.

RECEPTION FOR ISRAELI AMBASSADOR DESCRIBED AS DISGRACEFUL

THE DECISION BY the Mayor of Sligo Cllr Marcella McGarry, to host a reception for the Israeli Ambassador has been described as “disgraceful” by Cllr Declan Bree.

“At a time when the Mayor of Bethlehem and other Palestinian municipal leaders are appealing for international support and solidarity I find it incredible that the Mayor of Sligo would welcome a representative of the Israeli regime to City Hall.   

“This is the same regime that continues to violate the basic rights of the Palestinian people.  It is the same regime that continues to ignore the legally binding resolutions of the U.N. Security Council.

“That the Mayor held the reception in City Hall without the knowledge of the other members of the Borough Council speaks volumes.

“Elected representative of all political persuasions in Sligo have refused to have any dealings with representatives of the Israeli regime since Corporal Dermot McLoughlin was killed by the Israeli military while serving with the UN peace-keeping forces in the Lebanon.

“All of us have heard from returning Irish peace-keepers of the outrageous and inhumane behaviour of the Israeli army and its treatment of Palestinian and Lebanese civilians.  Indeed two other Sligo soldiers Mannix Armstrong and Tomas Walsh also paid the supreme sacrifice when they were killed by a landmine in Lebanon.

“Decent people throughout the world have been horrified in recent years at the extent of  the killings of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the wholesale destruction of homes and infrastructure including schools and hospitals.

“The late Nelson Mandela described Israel as a “terror state” and lambasted it for slaughtering defenceless and innocent Arabs in the occupied territories.

“In Ireland, public representatives, the Congress of Trade Unions, Aosdana, the academy of artists and hundreds of leading musicians, artists and writers have supported the international call for a boycott of Israel

“Considering the level of human rights violations perpetrated on a daily basis by the Israeli regime against defenceless Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank I believe we should be isolating those who are responsible for such behaviour.   We should be making it clear that representatives of the Israeli regime are not welcome in Sligo or Ireland until such time as they agree to abide by international law and respect the inalienable rights of all be they Palestinian, Lebanese or Jewish.” said Cllr Bree.

COUNTY COUNCIL EXTENDS SYMPATHY TO THE MANDELA FAMILY AND THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA ON DEATH OF NELSON MANDELA

"NO POLITICAL LEADER in living memory has been so genuinely loved and appreciated or touched so many people's lives”, said Cllr Declan Bree, when he proposed a vote of sympathy to the Mandela family and the people of South Africa at yesterday’s meeting of Sligo County Council.

"Nelson Mandela’s death marks an end to the life of one of the greatest revolutionaries of the 20th century.  He was an exceptional human being.” said Cllr Bree

"He made a huge impact, not just in South Africa but worldwide, through his beliefs, wisdom, leadership, integrity, and sacrifice.

"No political leader in living memory has been so genuinely loved and appreciated or touched so many people's lives.

"But it was not always so.  Mandela rose to political prominence when most of Africa still toiled under colonial dictatorships and when Apartheid South Africa was a close ally of the colonial and imperialist powers including Britain and the United States.

"Despite spending decades incarcerated in apartheid prisons, he remained unbowed and unbroken.

"Nelson Mandela embodied the struggle to overthrow apartheid. His generosity, openness and willingness to forgive have helped shape the image of what is now called the rainbow nation – South Africa.

"Nelson Mandela lived and sacrificed for all the people of South Africa and inspired people throughout the world with his courage and humanity.” said Cllr Bree. 

Cllr Bree proposed “That Sligo County Council extends its deepest sympathy to the Mandela family, to the African National Congress and to the Government and people of South Africa on the death of “Madiba” Nelson Mandela.”   The motion was seconded by Cllr Sean MacManus and was unanimously adopted.

AUDITORS REPORT DAMNING INDICTMENT OF COUNCIL MANAGEMENT

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT Auditors Report for 2012 is a damning indictment of the manner in which the senior management of Sligo County Council manages its financial business and it clearly confirms that the local government system in Sligo is in a shambles, Cllr Declan Bree said yesterday.

"The Auditors report reveals that Sligo County Council’s overall debt has increased from €85 million to €94 million in the past year.

"It should be obvious to most people that what is happening in local government in Sligo is not only unacceptable, its unsustainable.” said Cllr Bree.

In his report on the Council’s finances for 2012, the Local Government Auditor, Mr Raymond Lavin, expresses concerns in relation to the financial performance of the Council and in regard to the financial standing of the Council and its increasing level of debt.

Mr Lavin states that the Revenue deficit increased by 19% in 2012 to €15.4 million.  He said that the 2012 Council Budget was prepared on the assumption that €4 million in income would be saved as a result of redeployment/voluntary transfer opportunities and he pointed out that there was no evidence at the time of the budget preparation that these saving would occur in 2012.  “These saving were subsequently not achieved.”

He said that an independent financial appraisal was conducted of Sligo County Council by a firm of external consultants (Grant Thornton) and was presented to the Council’s members in August 2012.  “The Financial appraisal included an assumption that the Council would break even in 2012, based on the 2102 balanced budget presented by Council management to the external consultants.  This assumption was incorrect as the Council has a reported deficit in excess of €2.45 million.”

Mr Lavin said the Council’s financial position had deteriorated significantly during 2012 and he expressed significant concern that the Revenue debit balance had increased to €15.4 million at the end of 2012 and the long term debt was €79 million.

Mr Lavin also pointed out that the projected interest charges on loans taken out by the Council in 2010 and 2012 to fund the revenue deficit and partially finance unfunded balances will be €430,000 in 2013.  He said the interest will have to be revenue funded and will have an impact on future Council budgets.

He said that unfunded balances are understated in the accounts by at least €580,000 and that the Council’s deficit was also understated as the bad debt provision was inadequate.

He also drew attention to the sum of €92,000 in statutory payments which the Council deferred paying in its 2012 budget.  He recommended that these outstanding sums be provided for in the forthcoming Council budget.

Speaking this week Cllr Bree said “The local government system in Sligo is in a shambles and much of the blame lies with senior Council management.  They are currently blocking meetings of the Borough Council from taking place and the County Council is a basket case.

"People I meet are incensed at the fact that the senior officials responsible for the state of local government in Sligo and for presenting these fantasy budgets are answerable to no one and accountable to no one.  It would appear that they are untouchable and can continue in their positions regardless of the level of incompetence

"We may be getting a new County Manager in January but it will take a lot more than that to change the mindset and the level of incompetence we have witnessed over the past number of years. 

"Some of the Council’s senior management are paid in the region of €100,000 a year, plus expenses – and look at the state of local government in Sligo.   We are the laughing stock of the country.

"The Council is now over €94 million in debt and is it any wonder? For the past number of years the Council Management has consistently asked councillors to adopt annual budgets that were based on fantasy, budgets that bore no resemblance to reality, budgets that were absurd and unattainable, budgets that led to massive deficits in the revenue account each year.  And to make up for the shortfall each year the Management then urged councillors to take out loans and increase overdrafts.” Cllr Bree said.

"Unfortunately the majority of councillors placed their trust in the management and danced to the County Managers tune and constantly voted for budgets which have brought the Council to the verge of bankruptcy.    

"While other councils may have had difficulties, the fact of the matter is that Sligo County Council is the only Council in the state where the revenue deficit has been consistently increasing year by year.

"What has been happening here is madness and unfortunately it will be the ordinary people of Sligo who will suffer the consequences.” said Cllr Bree.