Council agrees a freeze on commercial rates

BUSINESSES in County Clare have been buoyed by the news that Clare County Council, in a conscious effort to stimulate economic activity, will not be increasing commercial rates next year.

And the good news is that it doesn’t end there. The council has also agreed to a 3% reduction in water charges in what county manager, Tom Coughlan has described as  a move that will play an important role in “sustaining existing jobs, and reinforcing Clare’s position as an attractive location for investment”.
The budget for 2010, which shows gross expenditure of €112.6m, down 5% on this year, was unanimously approved by the council last week.
While complimenting the co-operation and input of the members and Corporate Policy Group in formulating the budget, Mr Coughlan pointed out that there would have to be further reductions in the operating costs of the council, both pay and non-pay, in an effort to maximise efficiency and value for money.
Mr Coughlan said that one of the main objectives of the budget for 2010 was to support the business community and stimulate economic activity within the county. He commented; “This is the first time in many years that there has been no rate increase and where expenditure has had to be reduced in order to achieve this”.
Referring to the reduction in water charges, the county manager said, “The budget shows that savings have been made in the costs of providing water services in the county, particularly on energy costs. Therefore, the decision has been made to reduce the charge for water supply in 2010 by 3% from €1.33 per cubic metre to €1.29. The charge for the provision of wastewater services will remain unchanged at €1.65 per cubic metre. This again will help the local commercial sector to continue its recovery throughout 2010.”
Mr Coughlan noted that the budget for 2010 included a series of other measures that underlined the council’s ongoing commitment to economic development. He said the council would engage directly in actively supporting major initiatives and progress areas of strategic importance such as delivering the potential of the Shannon Estuary and delivering on town centre plans.
“Furthermore, the council’s contribution in 2010 towards the provision of housing grants remains at the same level as that adopted in 2009. Meanwhile, the increase in road’s own resources of 5% and the water and waste water services budget provides for various improvement works at locations in the county. These measures represent the council’s commitment to improving infrastructure and enhancing social inclusion,” he maintained.
The council’s revenue budget for payroll in 2010 is €38.9m, the same level as two years ago, which represents a significant decrease on the 2009 figure of €41.4m.
Payroll costs have been constrained by the introduction of an embargo on recruitment in March 2009, a reduction in overtime working, restrictions in temporary/seasonal staff engaged, both indoor and outdoor,  together with the non-filling of vacancies. The 115 vacancies, which currently exist, will not be filled.