‘Sad day’ for Frank as he attends final finance meeting

It was “a sad day” for one of Westmeath County Council’s longest serving members, Frank McDermott, as he attended his last finance committee meeting, but he was “absolutely delighted” that the financial report before them was “the most positive and constructive I have ever heard”.

“Keep up the good work,” he told head of finance Jimmy Dalton.

As details of the various schemes and allocations were delivered, Cllr McDermott’s only concern was whether or not the council would have the staff and resources to get the “huge and diverse array of projects” done in the year.

Mr Dalton assured the meeting that the council has always set aside the local contribution required to avail of grants. He accepted that there was a wide spread and volume of grant aid, but he was confident the council had the staff and resources to complete the projects approved. He reported a solid debt collection performance on all three major income streams – rates, rents and loans – and a year free of bank overdraft costs.

The economy is in a reasonable state; unemployment is low and inflation is subsiding faster than expected, Mr Dalton remarked. He is confident that the council budget can cope with the volatility in energy costs, so long as there is no exceptional rise.