Austin Deasy
Question:190 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans if any, he has, to bring about major changes in the Managerial Act. [19028/00]
Written Answers. - Local Government Legislation.
The Local Government Bill, 2000, published last month provides that local authority policy is determined by the elected council with a range of mechanisms to oversee the direction of local authority affairs and requires that the manager operate within this policy framework. Better support for the elected council with a strengthened corporate position will flow from involvement via strategic policy committees from the early stages of policy development assisted by directors of service; a corporate plan adopted for the life of the council; improved training/information; the introduction of service indicators and modern financial management and accounting systems. These and other changes introduced by the Bill such as the role of the corporate policy group; the ending of the dual mandate and the introduction of a directly elected cathaoirleach from 2004; and a salary and pension for councillors will, taken together, significantly alter the current local government system and greatly enhance the role of the elected council. Some of the changes mentioned and others such as county or city development boards are already in train and will be reinforced by the Bill while others will follow from its enactment.