'Disappointment' as management report left until last at Waterford council meetings

A Waterford City councillor has expressed concern that the management report is not being treated as a priority at monthly council meetings.

The issue arose at this month’s sitting of the Metropolitan District Council when a discussion on active travel took almost two hours.

This meant the rest of the meeting had to be rushed despite standing orders being amended to extend the meeting by 30 minutes.

A decision was taken to approve the road programme before moving on to the management report.

Cllr Jim Griffin said he was “disappointed” the report was not taken more seriously.

“Unfortunately, Mayor, this kind of thing happens in the plenary as well, and now it’s happening in the metro. 

"The management report is so important to us. But look, I’m not going to be argumentative about it, but I am disappointed,” said Cllr Griffin.

Mayor Joe Kelly said he agreed with the councillor and that he would stay as long as was required.

But, the mayor was informed the meeting time could only be extended by 30 minutes.   

The management report is a monthly update on the departments of the council.

Typically senior staff or the head of the department take questions from councillors.

It is also a chance for councillors to raise concerns their constituents have raised with them.

The mayor said he agreed that the management report was important, but the work programmes discussed were “huge.” 

By the end of the meeting, three councillors had not been able to contribute to the discussion.

“There are hands raised that I won’t be able to take, but you guys put in your queries by email, and you will get your answers,” said Mayor Kelly.   

Cllr Frank Quinlan asked that it be noted in the meeting minutes that three councillors had not been given the opportunity to speak.

The Mayor said he thought that was “a fair request."