Mr Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government today, (28 December 2012,) announced the publication of the Limerick Reorganisation Implementation Group’s Implementation Plan. The Plan sets the course for unification of Limerick City and County Councils up to the election of a single authority in mid-2014.
Reorganisation in Limerick has been progressing since the Government decision in June 2011 to merge the local authorities and the Group had already produced two interim reports. Under legislation enacted earlier this year, Mr Conn Murray was appointed in August as dual manager for the two authorities to lead the executive and the reorganisation process.
Specific developments to date have included formulation of service unit plans, progressing convergence of policies and practices, determining staffing and organisational requirements, establishment of an economic development directorate, a new Office of Regeneration and a new management structure for joint City and County wide service delivery. Communication and consultation with elected members, staff and unions is an important feature of the reorganisation process.
The momentum of unification is set to continue with announcements on the physical amalgamation of services in 2013. “The move towards stronger, unified local government in Limerick is already bearing fruit, not least in economic terms” said Minister Hogan, adding “I was happy to announce significant general purpose grant allocations from the Local Government Fund to Limerick City and County Councils for 2013, totaling close to €26m. I am delighted that they have responded positively with a historic reduction of 5% in the city rate level, which should be a great boost for business in Limerick.”
The Implementation Group, in association with the local authorities, is leading a drive towards economic transformation of Limerick and a major economic strategy is due to be published shortly. “A key objective of the strategy is to achieve a significant increase in economic activity, enterprise and investment in Limerick, supported by purposeful local government and an ambitious spatial plan for the redevelopment and revitalisation of Limerick City Centre” said Minister Hogan, whose Department has strongly supported this objective, both through financial support, notably for the purchase of the strategic Opera Centre site, and also in terms of input by staff to the economic strategy.
While the primary rationale for unification is to achieve stronger local government and promote social and economic progress, the merger decision was made in the context of targeted savings of €15m per annum in the local government budgets. "The implementation plan shows clear resolve on the part of the Group and the local authorities to take the action required to achieve necessary efficiencies" said the Minister. Key measures in the Plan include:
· Establishment of a Limerick City Metropolitan District with a population of around 100,000.
· Location of the new local authority HQ in Limerick City Hall.
· A streamlined management structure for the unified authority, involving a reduction of some 50% in senior management posts.
· Formulation of a detailed Workforce Plan, with anticipated reduction of 20% in staffing of the merged authorities in addition to 20% reduction from 2008 to date.
· Development of a Financial Plan to provide for convergence of rate levels and secure savings and efficiencies through removal of duplication, economies of scale and organisational and operational best practice.
· Completion of Service Unit Plans, adoption of appropriate policies, procedures and practices and a Corporate Plan for the new Limerick authority.
· Establishment of a non-statutory High Level Economic Group, involving business leaders and other key personnel to help deliver investment and jobs for Limerick.
· Development of joint arrangements with Clare County Council, where warranted.
Paying tribute to the members of the Implementation Group and its Chair Mr Denis Brosnan, who also chaired the earlier Committee which recommended merger, the Minister said “Denis Brosnan’s reward for the time and commitment he has generously given over the past few years will be the satisfaction of having made a huge contribution to the future success and prosperity of Limerick”.
The Minister also thanked the members and staff of the two authorities for their commitment and co-operation, observing that “the approach taken in the Limerick Implementation Plan sets a standard for local government reform in all areas under the Government’s Action Programme for Effective Local Government.”