The ramifications of the new municipal districts when they come into being in May next year was discussed at the monthly meeting of Lismore Town Council on Monday night.

Chairman Jan Rotte reported on a discussion he was party to at a recent meeting of the Economic and Community Development SPC which, he said, discussed economic strategy post amalgamation of local authorities. New community development committees will be formed in the new districts, he explained. “They are going to be instrumental in drawing up an area plan for this area,” he pointed out.

Cllr Rotte said he found it very difficult to grasp what was going to happen, ‘it’s very complicated’. Town manager Paul Daly said it is better, and less complicated than what’s already there. An attempt is being made to bring lots of agencies, some with separate statutory powers, under the county council umbrella, he explained.

In reply to a query from Cllr Rotte, the town manager confirmed that the new LCDCs will replace community forums. Cllr Rotte pointed out that this would mean a mix of unelected and elected members deciding on funding for projects. The town manager agreed that will be the case.

The discussion was parked at that stage as members went on to consider other issues. However, they returned to the subject later in the meeting during a discussion about property tax and the installation and maintenance of the new water meters planned in order to charge householders for water from next year.

Cllr Bernard Leddy restarted the discussion by saying he’d heard that the property tax isn’t going to be collected from council houses and the shortfall in income will be made through cuts in services. The town manager said no decision had been made as yet but the matter is under discussion.

“Local authorities will have to find money to pay. It won’t be passed on to tenants,” he stated.

He went on to explain that the income streams 34 individual local authorities usually get are to be funnelled to Irish Water for its first year in operation until it develops income of its own.  “The whole thing is radically changed. It’s very complex,” he said.  Income from property tax is also to be diverted to the new water board.

He was asked whose responsibility it will be to repair the roads when water leaks are being fixed after Irish Water comes into being. He said it would be the responsibility of the new water board.

The town manager disclosed that the amalgamation of the Waterford city manager position and county manager will take place with the appointment of one single manager and a management team on January 1st. Waterford County Council’s budget is being deferred until January because of the unknown elements of the amalgamation.