Report of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group

• Operation of housing lists;
• Housing needs assessment; and
• Maintenance of stock.
5.6.9 However, the Group equally believes that consideration could be given by
individual county councils to delegating specific functions appropriate to
local operations back to a town council, in particular in relation to allocations
and estate management. This would also permit town councils to remain
the owners of social housing in their areas, obviating the need for stock
transfers between authorities.
5.6.10 Section 71 of the Local Government Act 2001 places a duty on county
councils and town councils within a county area to cooperate in the delivery
of services in order to maximise efficiency and effectiveness, and to
promote a unified local government service to the public, including the
integration and coordination of organisational arrangements, systems and
procedures, shared office accommodation and points of contact for the
public.
5.6.11 The Group believes that the transfer of the planning, roads and housing
functions to the county councils is required on efficiency grounds if the
development of the towns is to be facilitated. These towns have traditionally
been well served by elected members and officials devoted to the
advancement of the towns. However, small urban authorities will inevitably
face increased difficulties in providing the resources and staff required to
discharge their functions effectively and so develop the towns to their full
potential.
5.6.12 There is no evidence to suggest that there would be any inefficiencies
arising if these responsibilities were transferred to the county council. The
transfer of the planning, roads and housing functions across all rating town
councils would result in the elimination of administrative duplication. In the
context of total current expenditure of €344 million in 2009 by town councils,
it is estimated that the efficiencies identified above on the administrative
overhead, over a period of time, should yield savings in the order of €6
million. Where a town council has developed the resources for a particular
function these could be transferred to the county in the interests of
consistency and efficiency.
5.6.13 If the planning, roads and housing functions are transferred to the county,
the costs of these functions in the towns would have to be met by the county
at-large charge. In that event, rating town councils would be effectively
striking a rate to hand over to the county council. This would be a hollow
process and, therefore, the power to determine the annual rate on valuation
should be removed and town charges be applied in the same manner as
other existing non-rating town councils.
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