Gay Mitchell
Question:46 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he intends to confer additional powers on directly elected mayors. [11493/01]
Written Answers. - Local Government Renewal.
The Local Government Bill, 2000, provides for the direct election by the people of the cathaoirleach of city and county councils from the next local elections in 2004 and to hold office for the same term as the council. The Bill is one element of a wide-ranging programme for the renewal of local government which has already delivered the following: constitutional recognition for local government with a fixed electoral cycle and guaranteed local elections; a proper funding system and increased resources by way of the local government fund along with a needs and resources model for the equitable allocation of funds; a lead role for local government through the county-city development boards in bringing together at local level the State agencies, local development and social partners in planning for the future and to oversee an integrated strategy for economic, social and cultural development; measures to improve corporate planning, financial management systems, customer services, management structures, VFM and IT; and the establishment of strategic policy committees based on the partnership model to provide a full role for all elected members in policy development and with proper back-up and associated training-information programmes.
The proposals for the elected cathaoirleach must be seen against this background. The cathaoirleach will head the corporate policy group comprised of the chairs of the SPCs as a kind of cabinet. As each elected member is represented on at least one SPC, and as the council is the ultimate decision-making body, members will have the opportunity to make their views known on policy matters at all stages. The cathaoirleach, council and executive will work together within this new framework and subject to necessary checks and balances. There will be scope for the elected cathaoirleach to adopt a proper leadership role and in conjunction with the CPG to provide a powerful impetus for change in the internal dynamics of local government, to oversee the executive arm and thus address the democratic deficit.
A cathaoirleach who is directly answerable to the people and accountable to the elected council draws on powerful democratic legitimacy to speak and negotiate on behalf of the whole community, with influence well beyond any formal powers and with the capacity to bring together the various elements of local governance. The role envisaged is essentially a de facto role of community leadership based on democratic legitimacy coupled with the capability, credibility, motivational skills and commitment of the office holder. Experience elsewhere bears out the undoubted potential of such an office.
The cathaoirleach will chair the county-city development board; in association with the CPG will have a key role in the preparation of the corporate plan for the life of the council and the annual budget, both of which must be prepared by the manager in consultation with the CPG; and together with a range of powers for the CPG and elected council to develop, make and steer policy and oversee the executive. At this stage an executive role is not proposed for the cathaoirleach and CPG but future development in this direction will be considered in the light of experience gained of the operation of the new arrangements now envisaged and of the developing programme of local government renewal.