Laois County Council - Corporate FAQ

We have two town councils here in Laois: Portlaoise Town Council and Mountmellick Town Council. More information on Town Councils is available in the Your Council section of this website.

2) When do the Town Council meetings take place?

Portlaoise Town councils meets on the first Tuesday of every month and has no meeting in August.
Mountmellick Town Council meets on the first Thursday of every month and has no meeting in August.

3) When will the next County Council be elected?

County council elections are held every five years. The most recent election was held on 5th June, 2009 and the next election will be in 2014. Casual vacancies occurring during the life of the Council are filled by co-option.

4) How is an individual co-opted to the County Council?

Co-option means that when an elected Councillor has to stand down for any reason that his/her party nominates a replacement Councillor - not the general public.

5) When does the County Council meet?

The County Council meets on the last Monday of each month, unless this is a public holiday in which case the meeting takes place on the previous Monday. There is no meeting in the month of August.

6) Who deals with complaints?

Complaints can either be made directly to the Department responsible for the service or can be made to Laois County Council's Customer Care Officer. A complaint can be made to the Office of the Ombudsman at any stage. Please see Laois County Council's Citizen Charter.

7) Can members of the public attend County Council meetings and Area Committee meetings?

Members of the public may attend County Council meetings and Town Council meetings.

8) Who is my local Councillor?

Member details are available here. Representation depends on where a person lives within the County.

9) How many questions and motions are Councillors allowed to submit for Council and Town Council Meetings?

County Council - members can submit no more than two motions (excluding adjourned motions). Area Committee - members can submit no more than three motions (excluding adjourned motions) and no more than three questions. Any question submitted jointly in the name of two or more members shall be considered as a question submitted separately by each member subscribing to the notice.

10) What Department deals with Councillor Travel?

Travel to conferences and monthly payment for travel and subsistence to and from meetings is dealt with in the Corporate Affairs Department by Ms. Michelle McCormack.

11) How many elected members are there on Laois County Council?

There are 25 elected members.

12) How often is the Cathaoirleach elected?

The Cathaoirleach is elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Council, which is held in June, by his/her fellow members. The term of office is one year.

13) Who is the current Cathaoirleach?

The current Cathaoirleach of Laois is Fine Gael Councillor James Deegan.

14) What is contained in the Public Registers?

Members salaries, payments i.e. conferences and their monthly expenses. A list of conferences attended during the year and who attended each conference. Details of meetings attended during the year.

15) How do I request a meeting with the County Manager?

You can request a meeting with the County Manager by emailing manager@laoiscoco.ieor phone (057) 8664000

16) What are the opening hours in Motor Tax?

9.00 a.m. - 3.30 p.m. (open through lunch) Monday to Friday

17) What is the telephone number for Motor Tax?

Telephone number is 057 8664009
Fax number is 057 8674381

18) What are the opening hours for the Planning Counter?

9.30 a.m to 4.00 p.m. (open through lunch) Monday to Friday.

19) What is an SPC?

SPC stands for Strategic Policy Committee. There are five SPC's in Laois - Housing and Social Inclusion, Environment and Services, Local Urban and Rural Development, Transportation, Economic Planning and Development. Each SPC is made up of members of Laois County Council, a member from one of the Town Councils and representatives from the sectoral groups. More information on SPC's are available here.