This article is from page 15 of the 2011-12-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
CLARE County Council services will be seriously affected in 2012 if income levels from the collection of rates that have been in the Draft Budget are not reached.
This worry has been sounded out by Clare County Manager Tom Coughlan this week in his financial report to councillors which has proposed to leave rates for the coming year at 2011 levels.
Mr Coughlan has confirmed that despite his admission of the fact that there “is an increasing level of vacant rated properties in the county” there will be no decrease in the rate that will remain at 72.99.
The decision not to cut rates for hard-pressed business had been blamed on the Government cut-backs that has seen Clare’s share of the Local Government Fund decreased by 5.45 per cent for 2012.
And, the county manager has warned that only by projecting for a greater level of efficiency in the running of the council’s financial affairs has the local authority been able to avoid increasing rates levels in 2012.
“Due to the fact that the household charge is being paid into the Local Development Fund and in the light of the continuing reduction in local government funding and income from local services, it has not been possible to provide for a decrease in rates in this Draft Budget,” Mr Coughlan has revealed.
“It is proposed to meet the ongoing reductions in funding through achieving efficiencies, as in previous years, and consequently an increase in the level of commercial rates is not provided for.
“The issues of a reduction in rates has been considered at a number of council meetings during 2011, and the consequence of such a reduction would have made clear to the elected members at those meetings,” added Mr Coughlan.
However, in acknowledging the hardships being endured by ratepayers, the county manager has pledged a flexible approach when it comes to collections during 2012, albeit the money will have to be collected to ensure that there will be not cutbacks to council services earmarked for the year.
“Clare County Council is acutely aware of the financial difficulties which our ratepayers are experiencing,” said Mr Coughlan, “and we are committed to adopting a practical approach in terms of facilitating ratepayers.
“However, I must emphasise that if the council does not receive the income which is identified in this budget, the maintenance of the levels of services which are planned in 2012 would be impacted,” he added.