Galway Bay fm newsroom – There were heated scenes at a meeting of Galway County Council this afternoon over the revelation that funding is to unexpectedly drop by three quarters of a million euro this year.
The massive shortfall is due to a drop in valuations for utility companies across the county – and it means a 757 thousand euro loss of revenue for Galway County Council coming into 2016.
The announcement couldn’t have come at a worse time for Galway County Council, as it follows the recent controversy over a free parking scheme for county towns, which is estimated to cost the local authority up to half a million euro.
The latest revelation means the County Council could have to raid its coffers to the tune of up to 1.3 million euro next year to make up the shortfall – with roads maintenence funding likely to suffer.
Councillor Michael Fahy demanded that a letter be sent to Local Government Minister Alan Kelly and Transport Minister Pascal Donohue – stating that the Council cannot and will not accept such a funding reduction for 2016.
Councillor Jimmy McClearn said the situation was indefensible – and it means that it’s now impossible to deliver a respectful budget.
He was echoed by Councillor Michael Connolly who said the Council was expected to deliver more and more services each year while receiving less and less funding.
The Chief Executive was asked by Councillor Jim Cuddy if they were going to lie down and take the cuts, or demand extra funding from government.
Councillor Michael Fahy says it’s one of the worst situations he’s seen in his years sitting on Galway County Council
At today’s meeting, The chamber was warned by Councillor Fahy that if extra funding was not forthcoming, it wouldn’t be automatic doors County Hall would need – it would be wire fencing to keep out angry crowds.