Written Answers - Local Authority Committees.
Joe Higgins
Ceist:
198
Mr. Higgins (Dublin West)
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in appointing the members of the corporate policy group in Fingal County Council, the majority of the council specifically refused to implement a grouping system and denied proportional participation in the new system to the minority parties and independents; and if he will require all local authorities to respect proportionality in appointing the members of the corporate policy group in the new local authority structures.
[9752/98]
The establishment of strategic policy committees, SPCs, is a matter for each city and county council. The process of implementation includes the election of chairs for the authorities' SPCs and the establishment of corporate policy groups. A corporate policy group comprises the chairs of the SPCs and the cathaoirleach of the council.
Detailed guidelines were issued to relevant authorities entitled Strategic Policy Committees — Guidelines for Establishment and Operation in November 1997 for distribution to members and relevant staff. The guidelines are based on the work of a group which included local authority members, management, my Department and others. These guidelines were followed up by a national seminar day held on 5 February. A booklet entitled Focus on Strategic Policy Committees, which included further guidance and the proceedings of the seminar, was recently issued to authorities.
The guidelines set out advice on the setting up of SPCs, including the allocation of SPC chairs-paragraph 4.2. The guidelines advise that the allocation of SPC chairs should reflect equitably the spread of elected representation on the council and that local authorities should be seen by the public to operate fairly and equitably.
Ultimately, however, the application of the guidelines in a particular case is a matter for each authority concerned in the light of their particular local circumstances.
There is no provision for intervention by the Minister nor would intervention be appropriate in such matters which are for decision by local authorities.
I intend, however, to establish a group to monitor and review generally the operation of the SPC system after this round of SPCs are implemented. This group will consider the issues which have arisen during the course of their implementation. This group will comprise DOELG, elected members, local authority management and others.
