Council relying on volunteers for crucial work due to low staffing levels

Councillors throughout Cork County Council's western division raised concern about the expectations being put on volunteers, such as tidy towns groups

Volunteer groups, such as Tidy Towns committees, are being relied on for crucial work due to low staff levels, Cork councillors say. File Picture: Jim Wilson

Outdoor staff numbers in Cork County Council’s Western Division have dropped so low that volunteers for local tidy towns groups are being relied on to carry out the duties of council workers, claim local councillors.

Speaking at the Western Division’s June monthly meeting, Fianna Fáil councillor Joe Carroll said: “We have situations in the municipal meetings where the amenity grants seem to be giving money to tidy towns, a bunch of retired people, to do our council work around town that I am — and I think most of my colleagues are — very much against.