local

Borough Council loans would have cost €20m

SLIGO BOROUGH Council had proposals before it at one stage to raise loans which would have cost €20 million.

The information was provided by Mayor David Cawley, pictured, who said the Council had a revenue budget of €16 million.

The Mayor was speaking in support of a Motion expressing "total opposition" to any recommendation to merge Councils in Sligo.

The matter was raised by Cllr Declan Bree at the October meeting of Sligo Borough Council on Monday night.

Cllr Bree recalled the (Grant Thornton) Consultants stated that, from a budgeting perspective, the County Council is experiencing an increasing deficit of substantial amounts year on year.  

He added: "The County Council’s capital debt is now €73 million and the revenue deficit is €13 million and growing each and every day of the week.

"In contrast the consultants state that this Borough Council is balancing its budget.


Narrow Terms


Handing over the finances and resources of the Borough to Sligo County Council would prove "disastrous for the future development of Sligo," Cllr Bree warned.

His Motion suggested the County Manager had "imposed narrow terms of reference on the consultants."
 
''The Grant Thornton Report,'' said Cllr Chris McManus, ''was always going to be used as a stick to beat this Council.''

''It would be like a very bad business trying to take over a very good business,'' he said: ''That wouldn't happen in the real world."

Mayor David Cawley categorised such process as a ''reverse takeover.''

He had raised with Grant Thornton whether they had made statements that were inaccurate. They said they didn't have evidence otherwise than what was in front of them.

Always be first with Sligo news - Never miss a story - Join us on Facebook