Mayor's allowance to be increased in Kilkenny

A proposal to raise the annual allowance of the Mayor of Kilkenny from €10,000 to €12,000 was passed, after much debate, at this month’s meeting of Kilkenny County Council.

A report detailing the proposed change was presented to the elected members during the meeting and it was formally proposed by Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh and seconded by Cllr John Coonan.

READ NEXT - Kilkenny community has major concerns about definition as 'rural node'

Cllr Cavanagh stated that ‘people think when a mayor or cathaoirleach attends a function it’s paid for’ but stated that this is not the case.

Cllr John Coonan raised his own recent term as mayor during the Covid pandemic, stating that despite the pandemic, ‘my activities were considerable’.

“The sum of €12,000 is well-warranted,” he added.

Director of Services, Tim Butler, informed elected members that the allowance had been previously reduced from €12,000 to €10,000 in 2019 because of the reduction in the number of elected members at the time.

Cllr Eugene McGuinness stated that he didn't agree to the increase. “I don’t think it’s appropriate,” he told elected members.

McGuinness also proposed that all councillors be invited to mayoral functions, and there was no dissent to this proposal, with many councillors encouraging same.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE