This article is from page 20 of the 2008-10-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
THERE have been calls for Clare County Council to impose a freeze on commercial rates ahead of its an- nual budget.
The calls come as figures reveal that ratepayers in the Kilrush area are the highest contributors to Coun- cil coffers. Businesses in Kilrush, including the ESB at Moneypoint, contributed just over €11, 668,657 so far in 2008. Shannon was next on the list with ratepayers there cough- ing up just over €11, 324,000.
Ennis contributed €1,405,612, Ennistymon just over ©2 million and Killaloe just over €3 million. The total amount collected so far is €33,672,149.
Cllr Gerry Flynn, who put forward the motion requesting a comprehen- sive rates report for Clare, challenged the county manager Alec Fleming to introduce a rate freeze as a vote of confidence in businesses operating in a turbulent economic climate.
Mr. Fleming said all options would be considered when the Council pre- pared its annual budget.
He also revealed a seven per cent CU KeyoMDeMBAbNOCDUOToaN COvumssloMCCOLEDNCCUME-DUIT ing out of the budget. Mr Fleming said that a two per cent payment due to the Council would not be fully re- ceived until early 2009.
“The seven per cent is going to cause an amount of problems for us. It leaves us with a considerable shortfall.”
Mr Fleming said he recognised the contribution of the commercial sec- co) e
“Tt will be difficult to come up with a balanced budget, but we will do it.
We will bear the commercial sector in mind,’ added Mr Fleming.
Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind) said it was important that the effects of the economic downturn on Shannon air- port be considered when taking into account the level of commercial ac- tivity in Clare. She said the issue of job losses was already a serious and daily concern in the area.
Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF) said that despite the major contribution of west Clare ratepayers, the region still lagged behind other areas of the County when it came to services, 1n-
frastructure and political representa- wlOne
Speaking later on a motion put forward by Cllr Pat McMahon (FF), calling for the date of the budget to be brought forward, Cllr Tony Mulc- ahy (FG) warned tough budgetary measures would be needed.
Cllr Mulcahy said the Council was facing a Serious shortfall in finances. “It’s not going to come from devel- opment contributions, or rates. So we better come prepared with a package for wage cuts or job losses. You can’t borrow money to pay for wages.”