Dan Boyle
Ceist:149 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if town councils will be established in Ballincollig and Carrigaline in advance of the next local elections in 2009. [35083/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 17 November 2005
Ceisteanna (148)
Freagraí scríofa
Part 17 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that qualified electors of a town having a population of at least 7,500 as ascertained at the last preceding census and not having a town council may make a proposal for the establishment of such a council. Under the relevant provisions of the Act, a proposal to establish a town council, and the timing of any such proposal, is a matter for the local community in the first instance, with a decision on such a proposal being a reserved function of the relevant county council, following a public consultation process. Part 17 also allows for the first elections to new town councils to proceed independently of the normal local election cycle.
I am considering the steps necessary to commence the relevant provisions of the 2001 Act, and I have initiated consultation with local government interests regarding the creation of new town councils and their prospective functional responsibilities under the Act. Local government services in the Ballincollig and Carrigaline areas are provided by Cork County Council and my Department has not been contacted regarding any current plans by the community to develop proposals for the establishment of town councils in those areas.