This article is from page 7 of the 2011-12-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 7 JPG
THERE will be no increase in rates in Kilrush in 2012, but local authority chiefs have stopped short of implementing an appeal from councillors in the West Clare capital for businesses in the town to be given a boost by reducing rates for the coming year.
Rates for the new year are to remain at 2011 levels, with Town Manager Nora Kaye telling in her estimates of expenses for the next 12 months – that will be debated at a special budget meeting this Thursday – that she is “proposing a zero per cent increase in commercial rates, being mindful of the current economic climate and the difficulties that same poses for local businesses”.
Ahead of the meeting, which will reveal that Kilrush Town Council will have a budget of € 1,348,896 in 2012 as opposed to € 1,387,843 in 2011, Ms Kaye has also told councillors that “due to the current climate, an increase has been provided in refunds and irrecoverable rates”.
The council decision not to cut rates for cash-strapped businesses in 2012 comes after a year that has been described as “very problematic” when it came to the collection of rates in 2011.
“Payments by customers continue to be very problematic. Rates collection at June 30, 2011 stood at 31 per cent in comparison to 39 per cent at June 30, 2010,” Town Clerk, John Corry revealed in September.
“Kilrush Town Council is dependent on rates income to maintain its operations as it represents 38.4 per cent of annual income. The slowing payment pattern highlighted above has resulted in a considerable negative impact on cash flow.
“Kilrush Town Council is acutely aware of the commercial difficulties which rate payers are experiencing, and has adopted a practical approach in terms of payment plans to facilitate rate payers.
“However, where customers fail to engage to deal with amounts outstanding, recovery of the debt by legal means becomes necessary,” he added.
Also included in the estimates is provision for the fact that “Kilrush Town Council’s allocation of the Local Government Fund will be cut by 8.98 per cent for 2012”.
It is also forecast that income for the council from parking will be down by € 45,000 in 2012. This is because of concessions that have been implemented in the town centre.