Councillor Terence Slowey has called on the 37 Members of the new Donegal County Council to get into negotiations in July regarding the 2015 Council Budget.
Terence Slowey says the Council Budget for 2015 must take priority when elected representatives return to the council chambers.
Slowey feels it must take priority, and believes the new Local Government Bill, which sets up Municipal Districts, where Councillors will have a lot more power and responsibility in deciding the budgetary framework for their areas.
He feels to that end negotiations between all parties to to new incoming council should start in July of this year.
Slowey told Donegal Daily, “I’ve spoke to Minister Leo Varadkar in Donegal Town recently, and the Minister was very insistent that the Local Government Bill enhances the power and responsibility of councillors.
“He relayed to me, that they will have far greater responsibility and power in the spending of money in their respective areas.
According to Councillor Slowey when the new Municipal Districts are set up after the next election it would be very important that guidance is given by the Executive of the Council to the elected members in relation to the local input and the framing of Budget 2015.
Councillor Slowey concluded, “Whoever is elected and whatever the configuration is of the new Council it is absolutely critical that the Members take ownership of the budgetary process for 2015 and if elected he intends making a major input into this process.