Meath County Council was delighted to welcome a delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities to discuss matters relating to local governance in Ireland and to share our experiences in Meath County Council.
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities carries out regular visits to monitor the commitments undertaken by Council of Europe member states which have signed and ratified the European Charter for Local Self-Government, which Ireland committed to in 2002. The delegation was composed of two co-rapporteurs on local and regional democracy, Mr. Vladimir Prebilič, Slovenia and Ms. Gunn Marit Helgesen, Norway, they were assisted by Dr. Anders Lidstrӧm, Sweden, who is a member of the Group of Independent Experts on the European Charter of Local Self Government and the Congress Secretariat, Ms. Stéphanie Poirel.
The delegation met with An Cathaoirleach Councillor Nick Killian, the Chief Executive Jackie Maguire as well as the management team and elected members of Meath County Council. The Cathaoirleach welcomed the delegation to County Meath and outlined the elected members’ role within the Council. The Chief Executive provided details of the structures and finances of local government in the county.
There was a good discussion around recent developments relating to local governance and their impact on local self-government in Meath County Council, as well as the major challenges facing local government in Ireland.
An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Nick Killian welcomed the opportunity to put forward the views of the elected members and he commented “local government is at the heart of governance and public service at local level and the elected members of Meath County Council will continue to represent our citizens and local communities to enhance the quality of life of the people of Meath
