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Briefing of meeting with Minister Gormley

Input by ACCC to Green Paper on Local Government reform-- this paper was presented directly to Minister Gormley at a meeting on 26 July 2007, the FIRST such submission to be presented by any organisation to the Minister

Govt Proposal: Ensuring proper balance of power at local levels between the Manager and the elected representatives

: This is something we would of course agree with as an Association. However it is probably fair to say that in most councils, members and managers have good working relationships. There is a case for a review of the labyrinth of committees, internal and external to the council, which have emerged in recent years and whether such committees are tying up councillors and officials in endless overlapping meetings, costly in terms of time and money, when the effort could be better used on delivering services to the public.ACCC Commentary : The issue of directly elected Mayors/Chairs.Govt Proposal : The last time the ACCC took a position on directly elected Mayors back in 2001 it was against the concept. The difference on this occasion is that the programme for Government says it is committed to having a directly elected for Dublin by 2011 and possibly for the other cities at a later stage. There is no mention of a directly elected mayor for the counties. One way or another we might express openness to discuss the concept further while retaining our position that we have concerns as to its successful implementation.ACCC Commentary Govt Proposal : The establishment of town councils in those towns that have shown significant population growth in recent years (including the upgrading of the former Town Commission towns, where appropriate to full Town Councils). the ACCC would suggest that there are many models which might be explored to mobilise linkages with new suburban communities including strengthening of the already successful Area Committee concept in the City and County Councils. We would suggest that the County/City level of government mobilises a level of popular loyalty which is simply not present at any other level of Irsh local government. This popular identification with county or city helps to bring a cohesion in the public mind to the delivery of services and is an asset which should be strengthened in any review of Irish local government. In addition the surge in turnout figures for the 2004 local elections and the 2007 General Elections, particularly in suburban areas, suggests that the existing democratic structures are robust and healthy.ACCC Commentary: Govt Proposal : The provision of quality customer service to the public. We would fully support any initiatives by the Minister to drive a better service to the public.ACCC Commentary: Govt Proposal : Expenditure limits at local elections. ACCC Commentary : This is essentially a question for a more political forum. We acknowledge that upper limits already exist for Dail elections.********************

: The last time the ACCC took a position on directly elected Mayors back in 2001 it was against the concept. The difference on this occasion is that the programme for Government says it is committed to having a directly elected for Dublin by 2011 and possibly for the other cities at a later stage. There is no mention of a directly elected mayor for the counties. One way or another we might express openness to discuss the concept further while retaining our position that we have concerns as to its successful implementation.ACCC Commentary

Govt Proposal : The establishment of town councils in those towns that have shown significant population growth in recent years (including the upgrading of the former Town Commission towns, where appropriate to full Town Councils)

the ACCC would suggest that there are many models which might be explored to mobilise linkages with new suburban communities including strengthening of the already successful Area Committee concept in the City and County Councils. We would suggest that the County/City level of government mobilises a level of popular loyalty which is simply not present at any other level of Irsh local government. This popular identification with county or city helps to bring a cohesion in the public mind to the delivery of services and is an asset which should be strengthened in any review of Irish local government. In addition the surge in turnout figures for the 2004 local elections and the 2007 General Elections, particularly in suburban areas, suggests that the existing democratic structures are robust and healthy.ACCC Commentary:

Govt Proposal : The provision of quality customer service to the public

We would fully support any initiatives by the Minister to drive a better service to the public.ACCC Commentary:

Govt Proposal : Expenditure limits at local elections. ACCC Commentary : This is essentially a question for a more political forum. We acknowledge that upper limits already exist for Dail elections.********************