Joe Behan - Independent Councillor - Wicklow County Council

Special Meeting of Wicklow County Council
regarding Disposal of Barracuda /SeaLife Building

I am grateful to the Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. John Ryan and the Leas Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Pat Fitzgerald for agreeing so speedily to my request to hold a Special Meeting of Wicklow County Council next Monday 27th July at 2.00pm.

I asked for the meeting as I am deeply shocked that Wicklow County Council management agreed to a request by the owner of the Barracuda/ Sea Life building in Bray to purchase the fee simple of the property on 14th July last. This was done without the knowledge and/or prior approval of the elected members of Wicklow County Council and has potentially major implications for other council owned properties right across the County.

It is astounding to discover that this possibility has been discussed by the management of Wicklow County Council for some time and yet it was kept from the elected Council.

Elected councillors have few enough reserved powers as it is, but the disposal of public property must be approved by a decision of the full County Council and must be done in public. It may be argued that legally the council had no choice but the councillors were entitled to be informed about the possibility and other possible legal options could have been explored.

I will be seeking a full and detailed report on this matter and I look forward to the views of the other elected Members on its implications for the future governance of Wicklow County Council.

Joe Behan
Independent

(Photo Credit - Bray People Newspaper)