THE amalgamation of Limerick City and County Councils moved closer yesterday with the publication of the Limerick Reorganisation Implementation Group’s (LRIG) implementation plan.
The strategy drawn up by a group headed by former Kerry Group chief Denis Brosnan, charts the course for the merger of the two local authorities up to the election of a single authority in mid-2014.
A policy document provides for the halving of management posts in the new authority.
The new administrative area is to be named the Limerick City Metropolitan District with a population of about 100,000.
It is also proposed that the office of the Mayor of Limerick will be retained. The creation of a single motor-tax authority for Limerick and the setting-up of a “high-level economic group” involving business leaders to help deliver investment and jobs for Limerick.
Other developments include the development of a local government fund in Limerick of €250,000, as well as a commercial rate reduction of 5%.
Earlier this year, Conn Murray was appointed as dual manager for the two authorities, to lead the executive and the re-organisation process.
Minister for Local Government Phil Hogan said, “A key objective of the strategy is to achieve a significant increase in economic activity, enterprise and investment in Limerick, supported by purposeful local government and an ambitious spatial plan for the redevelopment and revitalisation of Limerick City Centre,”
