New Mayors will be elected to Clare’s four town Councils today.
Following the recent local elections, the urban authorities in Ennis, Shannon, Kilrush and Kilkee will all choose their new chairpersons at annual general meetings this afternoon.
The balance of power in all town councils could be subject to political change this time round following significant losses for Fianna Fail and gains for Fine Gael.
Ennis Town Council has previously seen a mayoral pact formed across party lines, and a similar arrangement is expected today with three Independent Councillors likely to join forces with a Fine Gael and Fianna Fail member of the local authority. – The outgoing arrangement led to controversial claims of a voting block of gang in Ennis Town Council last year.
Fianna Fail saw major losses on Shannon Town Council in last week’s elections, so with no representative at all in Shannon Town, the five year balance of power is likely to be shared between 4 Fine Gael councillors and one Independent.
In Kilrush there are three councillors each for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, so both sides may be looking to two of the three independents to form a majority and share the Mayoral chains.
While in Kilkee one Independent Councillor holds the pivotal position of being able to complete a mayoral majority for either of the main parties – most likely Fine Gael.
The new agreements will be confirmed when four new mayors are elected this afternoon.