West Mayo budget meeting making 'complete clowns' out of local councillors
The draft budget meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District which was adjourned after two minutes was described as 'absolutely ridiculous'
A West Mayo councillor has claimed that legislation regarding the timing of a municipal district budget meeting makes 'complete clowns out of us'.
The draft budget meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District took place this morning and lasted just over two minutes before the budget proposal was rejected and adjourned to a later date.
The online meeting took place as it is a requirement of the Local Government Financial and Audit Procedures (2015) that a meeting considering the draft budget must conclude no later than ten days prior to the full council budget meeting.
Cathaoirleach of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District, Cllr Brendan Mulroy welcomed members to the meeting before immediately proposing that the budget be rejected until the main budget is discussed at the budget meeting of Mayo County Council which is due to take place on November 30.
His proposal was seconded by Cllr Paul McNamara who pointed out that the same procedure happens every year and it is an insult to councillors and officials of Mayo County Council.
“This happens every single year,” said the Achill-based councillor. “This meeting starts and is finished in two minutes when there is nothing we can do at it. So why do we keep coming on here year after year to propose a budget and then refuse the budget when we can't actually do either because we haven't had the main budget in the county.
“This is totally ridiculous to be coming on here year after year proposing a budget that we cannot pass. It makes complete clowns out of us that we all have this to happen year after year. It's a load of nonsense,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by Cllr Mulroy who said that unfortunately the meeting has to take place.
“It shows a total disregard for not only the elected members but also for the officials that have to take time out of their busy schedule this morning to go to a budget meeting that we know we can't deal with,” he said before adjourning the meeting to a later date.