€8,000 budget cut branded an ‘insult’

AN €8,000 cut in the town council’s budget is an “insult” to the people of Shannon, according to Councillor Gerry Flynn. The adopted budget for 2009 provided for expenditure of €166,250 compared to €157,000 for 2010.
After seeing town manager, Bernadette Kinsella’s report accompanying the budget, he said he was disappointed that funding to the town’s community centre wasn’t being maintained.
“You talk glowingly about the work being done by the community and voluntary sector and then you come along and cut the measly few euros they are getting.”
He said that Shannon contributes more in rates than Ennis but receives much less funding from the county council.
He described the level of funding as “an insult to the people of Shannon” and said that Ms Kinsella needs to agitate more strongly for the town.
“You’ve got to go up there and kick ass and we have to punch above our weight,” he said.
Councillor Cathy McCafferty also said that she was disappointed with the amount of money coming down from the county council.
“I agree with Councillor Flynn, I would have hoped we would receive more funding than we got and I’m very, very disappointed.”
However, Mayor of Clare Tony Mulcahy had words of praise for Ms Kinsella and felt that she had done as much as was possible.
“Given the current financial situation and the cuts being made to Clare County Council, I think the manager has done an exceptional job.”
He said that the main reason for the smaller budget was the reduction in money coming from central Government. “Our biggest problem is the cut in local government funding and if the Government don’t fund that, there isn’t the money to go around.”
Councillor Patricia McCarthy also acknowledged that money is now scarce.
“We’d all like rates in the area to stay in the area but that’s not the situation we find ourselves in. We are limited in what we can do and the funds we can raise.”
She also complimented the budget. “Taking everything into account, the manager has done well,” she said.
Mayor of Shannon, Seán McLoughlin also said that he felt little more could be done. “Under the circumstances, it’s a very good budget,” he commented.
Ultimately, a vote was taken on the budget and it passed comfortably, with Councillors Flynn and McCafferty the only members to vote against it.
In her introduction to the budget, Ms Kinsella acknowledged that it was prepared against a challenging background but she said the town rate was not being increased.
“The draft budget has been prepared in a most difficult economic climate, as reflected in a reduction of funds available from Clare County Council and where cognisance has been taken of the demands on commercial rate payers in the town and the need to maintain commercial rates at 2009 levels.
“The draft budget sets out the amounts necessary for the council to fund its operations for the coming year. Gross expenditure is estimated at €157,000 and projected income is estimated at €41,500. This results in a net expenditure of €115,500 and represents the demand from Clare County Council for 2010. This level of demand does not necessitate an increase in the town rate, which remains at €2.11.”