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Galway County Council

Galway County Council is responsible for the administrative area of County Galway, excluding Galway City and Ballinasloe Urban District. The Council is responsible for the planning, design and construction of important infrastructures, such as roads, water supply, drainage facilities and certain social and quasi-social services, such as housing, fire stations, libraries and burial grounds. It is the custodian of the environment and through its planning and environment policies seeks to enhance the county while protecting its unique character and atmosphere. It also plays an active role in the development of the county’s industrial, business, social, arts, heritage and cultural affairs.



In accordance with the Irish system of local government, which encompasses both democratic representation and public administration, Galway County Council as a local authority performs both a representational and operational role.



The representational role of Galway County Council is performed directly by the elected members of the Council. There are thirty (30) members (Councilors), who are elected from five local electoral areas:-



Ballinasloe 5 members

Connemara 5 members

Galway Rural 6 members

Loughrea 7 members

Tuam 7 members



These members are elected for a period of five years and local elections are due to take place in 2004. The Council elects a Chairperson from its members at its annual meeting, which is held in July each year.



In February 1998, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government established the Electoral Area Boundary Committee to review and make recommendations on the division into electoral areas of all counties and county boroughs outside of the Dublin area.



The functions performed by the elected members are called "reserved functions". These lay down the framework of policy, under which the County Manager operates.



Such functions include:



adoption of annual Estimates of Expenses

making or varying the County Development Plan (5 yearly)

adoption of Scheme of Letting Priorities of local authority housing

making, amending and revoking bye-laws

approval for borrowing money

declaration of roads to be public roads

The Council makes its decisions by resolution (at its meetings).



The County Manager and his staff perform the operational role of Galway County Council. They are responsible for the day to day administration of the County Council. The County Manager performs, what are called, the "executive functions" . His decisions are made by written "Managers Order".



These functions include:



the letting of houses

the granting or refusal of planning permissions

the appointment, of staff etc.,

The County Manager, in making his decisions, must act in a way that is consistent with the policy, which has been established by the elected members while, at the same time, advising the members in relation to the performance of their reserved functions.



Mission Statement



" As Members and Staff of Galway County Council our mission is to improve the quality of life for the people of Galway and to maintain the County as a uniquely attractive place in which to live, work and to visit."



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