Councillors comment on early budget figures

More funds for local authority estates and for skilled housing staff were two of the suggestions floated by councillors at the latest meeting of Manorhamilton municipal district where preliminary figures for this year's budget were read out. 

"The funds are for local authority estates and only estates that have residents' association and there are very few that do. It's very small pickings for them but at least it's something for them towards keeping their estate looking reasonably well," said Cathaoirleach Cllr Justin Warnock speaking to the Leitrim Observer.

The Cathaoirleach was speaking after a presentation by Leitrim County Council head of finance, Vincent Dwyer regarding the General Municipal Allocation (GMA) for Manorhamilton was discussed.

The figure comes in at €37,326 and was brought before members ahead of the budget meeting in November. 

Mr Dwyer advised members that this is the "preliminary review" and the budget process is still ongoing. 

It's proposed to increase the GMA overall from €82,000 to €112,000, Mr Dwyer said that it's proposed to increase housing estate management from €12,00 to €15,000 and estate funding from €6,000 to €9,000. 

Cllr Warnock continued: "If every council estate had a residents' association, they'd get around €40 each so only for there are so few, they are able to get a lot more from the pot."

More housing staff needed

Following a motion by Cllr Felim Gurn that revealed there are currently eight houses vacant in the Manorhamilton Municipal District and there is a current turnaround time is 27 weeks, Cllr Padraig Fallon said: "I believe it's slipped with regard to the turnaround of vacant properties. I have had a number of motions myself regarding increasing outdoor staff in housing."

Cllr Fallon continued: "After Mr Dywer talked about the upcoming budget, I said that this is one of the things that we need to see in that budget; we need to see money set aside for the recruitment of more staff."

The Sinn Féin councillor added: "I see it all the time and at the minute, I have seven or eight households waiting for minor works, local authority tenants. If an emergency arises somewhere in a local authority house, the staff go to that but these other works drag on and on."