Responsibilities
Town Councils are part of the second tier of local government. The top tier comprises the county and city councils. However, although there are 75 town councils in Ireland, they can be considered in two categories: Town Councils that were former Urban District Councils and Town Councils that were former Town Commissioners. Passage West Town Council has former Town Commissioners status and, as such, much of the utility functions of the area are performed by Cork County Council.
Under the Local Government Act 2001, the overall function of Passage West Town Council is to provide a forum for the democratic representation of the local community, to provide civic leadership and to promote community interest.
The Town Council may continue to carry out functions conferred by former legislation, including:
- Naming streets and localities
- Acting as agents for other local authorities
- Providing recreational grounds and public parks
- Making bye-laws
- Advertising amenities and developing tourism
- Decorating the town
- Providing a market place
- Providing and maintaining housing for those in need
- Building and maintaining public offices.
The Town Council may also seek to have functions transferred to them from Cork County Council if they can prove that they could be performed more effectively at a local level.
Passage West Town Council is run with a budget from Cork County Council raised by means of a grant from the Department of the Environment and Local Government and town charges levied on commercial activities in the town.
Passage West Town Council comprises nine members, elected by the single transferable vote system of proportional representation. Each year, a member of the Council is elected by all nine members to serve as Mayor and to act as Chair. Elections to the Passage West Town Council every five years.
Administration associated with the running of the Town Council is performed by the Town Clerk. In the case of the Passage West Town Council, the Town Clerk is an employee of Cork County Council. The Town Manager attends meetings of the Town Council such that there is an active working link between Passage West Town Council and Cork County Council.
Passage West Town Council holds its monthly meetings on the first Thursday of every month (excluding August) at 8pm in the Town Hall. These meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
