The Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District has labelled their rejected draft budget for 2019 ‘totally inadequate’.

Councillor Ian Lynch was among the local representatives who voted down the General Municipal Allocation portion of their budget, in anger at a cut in funding for local projects.

Draft budget proposals have been circulated to each of the four municipal districts in Clare for the consideration of the local councillors.

Part of the budget includes allocations for each district – three of those have been passed, but there’s now some uncertainty after it was rejected in West Clare.

The reason for this is budgetary cuts, in light of financial pressures on the Council.

It’s meant reductions of 75,000 euro for each Municipal District, and while the West Clare total of just over 200,000 is the largest, it was rejected by Councillors this week on a vote of 4-3.

West Clare Cathaoirleach, Independent Kilrush Councillor Ian Lynch, says it’s unacceptable.
One of those who supported accepting the reduced budget for the year ahead is Lahinch Fine Gael Councillor Bill Slattery.

He has criticised his West Clare colleagues for their stance and insists common sense was needed to ensure there’s enough money in the councils coffers for 2019.

Now, the budget will revert to the Chief Executive before it is discussed at a special budget meeting of the council in two weeks’ time.