Galway City Council have urged their county counterparts to cough up monies owed for the successful European Capital of Culture 2020 bid process.
The City Council’s budget meeting heard several City Councillors call on Galway County Council to pay their share of the outlay.
The meeting was told that to date the bid process cost €1.8 million, and half of that was due to be paid by the County Council.
The bid was a joint process between the two local authorities and yet the City Council so far was lumbered with the entire bill.
However, City Council Chief Executive, Brendan McGrath moved to assure elected members that the County Council would be fulfilling its funding obligations. He said he was not concerned that the County Council hasn’t yet transferred funds to the City Council.
The matter was raised by Fine Gael City Councillor, Pádraig Conneely, who said the County Council should “show us the colour of your money”.
The former mayor said the County Council was “piggy-backing” on the City Council’s efforts but wasn’t paying its fair share.
He said the Cathaoirleach of the County Council, Michael Connolly, a Fianna Fáil County Councillor, was like a “pop-up stand” appearing at every Capital of Culture event in the city.
Councillor Conneely suggested Cathaoirleach Connolly stay out of the city until such time as the County Council has paid its share of the bid.
Another former city mayor, Independent Councillor Donal Lyons, said he too was concerned that the County Council hadn’t contributed.
But Mr McGrath moved to dispel the notion that the County Council wasn’t playing its part.
He confirmed the bid was a joint process between both local authorities. There was an agreement in principle in place that costs would be shared.
“I’m not even remotely perturbed,” said Mr McGrath of the monies owed by the County Council.
He said he had spoken with Chief Executive of the County Council, Kevin Kelly, and he is “absolutely certain” that the money owed is a temporary matter.
Mr McGrath also pointed out to the meeting the City Council owes County Council for shared services. This bill goes back to 2012, he said.
Councillor Conneely was incensed by this suggestion. “That’s the first we’ve heard of it,” he said.
Director of Finance, Edel McCormack explained that the exact amount owing to the County Council hadn’t been calculated but it related to shared services, such as fire brigade.
Mr McGrath added that the policy was introduced by former Fine Gael minister, Phil Hogan, which resulted in additional costs payable to the County Council.
Cllr Conneely fumed: “This is a cop-out. They (County Council) don’t have a shilling. They’re broke and they won’t give us the money we’re owed.” He suggested the County Cathaoirleach “should be kept away from the city” until the money is paid.
Mr McGrath said some €4.2 million would be spent on the Capital of Culture in 2017, and just €1.2 million of that was coming from city coffers.