Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government Mr Phil Hogan, today announced further measures aimed at strengthening the present local government system.
A unified County Council will be established here in Tipperary with effect from the local elections to take place in 2014, thus replacing the existing North and South Tipperary County Councils. This new authority will serve a significantly increased population of 159,000 people.
J. MacGrath, Chairs Tipperary Implementation Group
North and South Tipperary were among the authorities for which the 2010 Local Government Efficiency Review Group report, recommended joint management arrangements. Arising from this Government decision, the Minister has now established an Implementation Group, consisting of the following membership: –
Mr. Joe MacGrath, (Chairperson) (Manager, North Tipperary County Council).
Mr. Billy McEvoy, (Manager, South Tipperary County Council).
Mr. Joe Allen, (Former Principal, Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government).
Mr. Gerry Kearney,(Former Secretary General, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs).
The Group has a general mandate to oversee planning, preparatory work and initial implementation of the reorganisation process. The Group will also ensure that Government policy on local government, the public service, the public finances and other relevant matters are reflected, where necessary, in this implementation process. Due account is also to be taken on relevant analysis and recommendations in reports such as the Local Government Efficiency Review.
This Implementation Group will provide progress reports to the Minister, as appropriate, with an initial report to be provided not later than 30th November 2011, which should include a statement of the implications of unification. The Group will adopt an Implementation Plan not later than 31st May 2012 to set a clear agenda and guidance for the continuation and completion of this reorganisation process.
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