Lord mayor volunteers 10% cut in €97k salary

One of the country’s highest paid lords mayor last night volunteered a 10% pay cut as €1.2m in sweeping cutbacks across Cork City Council’s services were unveiled.

Cllr John Buttimer (FG), who earns a basic mayoral salary of €96,672, but who can earn up to €120,000 by the €16,000 representational payment paid to all councillors, and by claiming expenses, said he wanted to show leadership as the city tries to balance its books.

He told councillors he had planned to seek the pay cut in December but that given the state of the council’s finances, he has brought the decision forward.

“I hope it demonstrates that we as councillors want to play our part in managing the finances of the city,” he said. But the mayoral salary should be linked to that of a TD, he added.

City manager Tim Lucey outlined where the axe will fall as he tries to save €1.2m before the end of the year.

The hole in the finances has arisen following cuts in central government funding and a shortfall in payments of the household tax.

Mr Lucey said while compliance with the household tax has improved, he warned that further cuts could be on the way, pending a review of the council’s finances.

Cllr Joe O’Callaghan (FG) said while the cuts were unwelcome, they were necessary.

Cllr Kenneth O’Flynn (FF) accused Environment Minister Phil Hogan of “pulling the rug” from under the council by cutting projected grants midway through the year.

Cllr Kieran McCarthy (Ind) described the cuts to boiler and roads maintenance as a “disaster for the city” as winter approaches.

Councillors voted against the cuts despite the fact it had no legal effect and Mr Lucey said they are being implemented already.

Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien criticised several Labour councillors who abstained in the vote.