Ennis rates remain at 2010 levels

RATEPAYERS in the town will pay the same rate to Ennis Town Council as last year, as part of a budget which sees all of the town’s services maintained but includes a 10c hike in parking charges.

The Ennis Town Council budget for 2011 as proposed by town manager, Ger Dollard, was unanimously passed at a special meeting of the council on Monday evening.
Despite a reduction in Ennis Town Council’s local government fund allocation of 9.3%, amounting to a drop of almost €210,000 in revenue, commercial rates were left unchanged, which is likely to be welcomed by local businesses.
Mr Dollard acknowledged that in the tough financial times businesses now face, a reduction in rates would have been beneficial for businesses in the town, but the move wasn’t feasible this year.
He pointed out the estimate of expenses for the year still incorporates a very important and comprehensive programme of works, with an estimated expenditure of €12,059,170.
The town manager said it was very important that town council continued to be involved in some community-based projects, including twinning arrangements, the historic town initiative, the youth café and community resource building at Cloughleigh. He also spoke about the provision of recreation and amenity services throughout the town, including the Tim Smythe Park project, which will see work begin on the provision of play facilities at the park commence early next year, as well as the Lees Road facility, Ennis Leisure Complex and the continuation of town council financial support to promote a wide range of activities in the town, including contributions to the Ennis Brass Band, Ennis Book Club Festival, Ennis Trad Festival, Ennis Fashion Week and Fleadh Nua.
In terms of parking, Mr Dollard explained that because the town council is now liable to pay VAT on off-street car parking, at the rate of 21%, it faces a cost of €150,000 to meet this. In order to continue providing the range of services that it does, and to pay for this VAT charge, the council proposed a hike in off-street car parking of 10c.
A number of councillors commented that they would prefer if parking charges were not increased but they understood the necessity to do so. Councillor Frankie Neylon said the parking charge was unwelcome, adding, “but I see why it’s necessary”. “Mainly, I’m delighted that all of the services that were there last year will continue to be there next year,” he remarked.
Mayor Tommy Brennan added, “10c extra on parking charges, we can put up with that, once we’re not losing services, which is a very positive thing for our town”.
Councillor Johnny Flynn said he had previously voted against a budget because of a 20c increase in parking, so in order to maintain consistency, he would not vote in favour of this 10c hike either. He asked about the possibility of claiming back VAT also. Mr Dollard explained that the income from off-street car parking is far greater that the expenditure, which means that the level of VAT they can claim back is far less than what they must pay in VAT liability. Councillor Flynn, on that basis, voted in favour of the budget.