This article is from page 29 of the 2012-11-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 29 JPG
BUSINESSES in Clare are continuing to pay their local authority rates in large numbers, despite the downturn in the local and national economy.
According to figures released at last night’s meeting of Clare County Council, the Council have collected 71 per cent of the rates owned to them so far this year. This compares to a payment rate of 75 per cent for the same period in 2011.
The council is aiming to collect a total commercial rate of € 32.35 million in 2012. With the final percentage for collection of rates reaching 79 per cent for 2011, Clare County Council can expect to collect an extra € 2 or € 3 million before the end of the year.
The figures were released in response to a motion put forward by Cllr Oliver Garry (FG) who asked that more staff be put in place to help collecting rates.
“I would, of course, like more people to be available to help in the collecting of rates but that requirement has to be balanced against the needs for staff in different parts of the organisation,” said a spokesperson from Clare County Council.
“The key to handling this situation is early engagement with customers. We do try to engage with people and put some sort of a practical arrangement in place as early as possible.
“With falling staff member in he council there are less people in the organisation overall but this is an area that we do see as being very important.”