This article is from page 57 of the 2013-07-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 57 JPG
BUSINESSES are facing a potential 20 per cent increase in commercial rates under new structures of local government, the outgoing Mayor of Ennis has warned.
Fianna Fáí l councillor Peter Considine was speaking at the annual general meeting of Ennis Town Council where he called for Fine Gael councillors to lobby for the retention of local authorities.
Eight councillors will be elected to represent the Ennis area in the 2014 local elections.
Cllr Considine said the town will “suffer” by the loss of one elected representative. Currently there are nine elected members on Ennis Town Council.
Cllr Considine said the elimination of local authorities could also have implications for businesses. He claimed that under the new structures, commercial rates could rise by up to 26 per cent. He called on Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, to re-think his policy on local government reform.
“Nothing would’ve happened, I’m sure, in this town without the urging, thriving and thinking of Ennis Town Council,” he added.
County manager Tom Coughlan acknowledged that difficult and challenging times lie ahead for local authorities.
He said the timescale for change is tight and that all staff are going to have their shoulders to the wheel.
Town manager Gerard Dollard said, “It’s going to be year of great change and some difficulty.”
Cllr Considine was presiding over his final council meeting as Mayor of Ennis. Recalling the past 12 months, he picked out Ennis’ successful Purple Flag bid, work on the new Quin Road pedestrian bridge and the civic reception afforded to former county manager Joe Boland as particular highlights.
He also hailed the positive impact new coach-parking facilities at Fri- ar’s Walk are having on tourism in Ennis.
It is thought that Cllr Considine will not run for election next year. Colleagues paid tribute to his work as Mayor. Mr Coughlan described Cllr Considine was an “excellent ambassador” for Ennis. “You could see Peter’s pride in the town,” he added.
Cllr Paul O’Shea (Ind) also paid tribute to Cllr Considine, joking that he would “miss their little sparring matches”.