Committees

Elected Members, as public representatives, are members of different committees outside Galway County Council. You can find a list of these committees and who represents the Council on them below.

The role of the Corporate Policy Group (CPG) is to co-ordinate and link the work of the various Strategic Policy Committees. It acts as a forum where policy decisions affecting the entire council can be agreed for recommendation to the full Council. 

The CPG consists of the Cathaoirleach, who chairs the group, together with the chairpersons of each of the SPCs. Each Municipal District is represented on the CPG. They meet with the Chief Executive and other Council officials monthly.

Corporate Policy Group 2024-2029

The Council is the main decision-maker. The Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) help the Council by advising and assisting in creating, developing, and reviewing policies on strategic matters reserved for the elected members of the County Council, following the relevant laws.

Each SPC helps the council with policy-making, but the final decisions are made by the full council (Section 130 Local Government Act 2001 – 2014). The SPC system allows elected members and various interest groups to be fully involved in the policy-making process from the start. These groups include business, farming, environmental/conservation, trade unions, construction, and community & voluntary members.

Galway County Council have the following Strategic Policy Committees:

• Housing
• Economic Development, Enterprise & Planning
• Physical Development, Transportation & Emergency Services
• Community, Irish Language, Gaeltacht, Tourism & Integration
• Environment Protection & Agriculture
• Climate Action, Biodiversity & Heritage

Strategic Policy Committee Membership

The membership of Galway County Council’s Strategic Policy Committees can be found here 

Strategic Policy Committee Scheme 2024-2029

The Strategic Policy Committee Scheme 2024-2029 is available at this link 

Strategic Policy Committee Agendas and Minutes

Agendas and minutes for the Strategic Policy Committee meetings of the Council can be found on the council meetings minutes page.

The Audit Committee has an independent role in advising the Council on financial reporting processes, internal control, risk management and audit matters.  It is a key component of the governance arrangements that operate within Galway County Council and is a statutory committee of the Council, that operates in accordance with a written charter.

Audit Committee Functions:

The principal activities of the Audit Committee are laid down in the Local Government (Audit Committee) Regulations 2014, which include:

• To review the financial and budgetary reporting practices and procedures within Galway County Council

• To foster the development of best practice in the performance by Galway County Council of its Internal Audit function

• To review any audited financial statement, auditor’s report or auditor’s special report in relation to Galway County Council and to assess any actions taken within the Council by the Chief Executive in response to such a statement or report and to report to the Council on its findings

• To assess and promote efficiency and value for money with respect to Galway County Council’s performance of its functions

• To review systems that are operated by Galway County Council for the management of risks

• To review the findings and recommendations of the National Oversight and Audit Committee and the response of the Chief Executive to these and to take further action as appropriate

Membership:

The audit committee is established by resolution of the Council upon nomination by the Corporate Policy Group and following consultation with the Chief Executive. 

The committee consists of 5 members, three external members and two elected members of Council.

Key Documents:

Audit Committee Charter
Audit Committee Annual Report 2024
Audit Committee Report on Annual Financial Statement 2023

Please follow this link Local Community Development Commitee (LCDC) | Galway County Council for information on the Local Community Development Committee.

Please follow this link Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) | Galway County Council for information on the Local Community Safety Partnership.

LOCAL TRAVELLER ACCOMMODATION CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (LTACC)

In accordance with Sections 21 & 22 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 each Local Authority is required to appoint a committee known as the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee to advise on the provision and management of accommodation for Travellers.  

Traveller Accommodation Programme
The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 requires each Local Authority, following a consultation process, to prepare, adopt and implement a 5-year rolling accommodation programme to meet the existing and projected accommodation needs of Travellers in their area.

Role of the LTACC
•    Advise in relation to the preparation and implementation of the Galway County Council Traveller Accommodation Programme.
•    Advise on the provision and management of accommodation for Travellers.
•    Provide a liaison between Travellers and Elected Members and officials of the Council regarding accommodation for Travellers.

Membership of the LTACC includes representatives from:
•    Traveller Organisations
•    Traveller Community
•    Elected Members from Galway County Council
•    Staff of Galway County Council

Number of Meetings
A minimum of four ordinary meetings will be held each year at a time and location agreed by the Committee.
 

Listed Members of Galway County Council’s LTACC: