Tag Archives: Councillor P J Kelly

CLARE County Councillors have decided to adopt a Local Property Tax (LPT) at 15% above the standard rate for next year, despite an appeal from one councillor to reduce this charge. Last year, councillors agreed to increase the LPT 15% above the standard rate and this was retained again this year without a vote following a meeting in Glór on Monday. However, councillors have warned the General Municipal Allocation (GMA) must be retained at this same level to support community projects this year, which could prove to be extremely difficult for the local authority following a huge decline in its income stream due to the devastating impact of Covid-19. Councillor Donna McGettigan proposed the council should reduce the LPT rate in view of the uncertain times facing householders some of whom were in mortgage arrears. Her proposal was not seconded or supported by any other councillor. The need to increase the GMA considering the key role it plays in the …

    CLARE Fianna Fáil councillors has expressed their fury over the decision to effectively grant the government at least another year in office, claiming people have been “let down”. The decision by Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin to extend the controversial Confidence and Supply Agreement with the Fine Gael for another 12 months to provide political stability in view of the chaos in Westminister has sparked a major backlash from some local councillors. Deputy Martin has stated Fianna Fáil couldn’t risk four months of uncertainty in the run up to a General Election and a length process to form a new government in the interest of the economy. However, a Clare Champion survey of local FF councillors have revealed the majority of them are opposed to the one-year extension. Acknowledging that the uncertainty generated by Brexit is a major concern, Councillor Tony O’Brien said he was “disgusted and disappointed” by this decision. “This decision has let down the party, …

THE ‘locals only’ planning policy in the county is the “biggest impediment” to the success of the Clare Rural Development Strategy Plan. That’s according to Councillor PJ Kelly, who has asked that the County Development Plan be reviewed to remove aspects that obstruct rural development. “We are doomed to disaster, unless we intervene,” he told this month’s meeting of Clare County Council. According to the councillor, he is aware of a number of incidences, where people who wanted to set up businesses in the county did not do so, as they were unable to get planning permission for homes. He said that something needs to be done “to allow development, without being asked to produce a passport”. He continued, “Different parts of the county are being severelydisadvantaged, while others are advantaged.” He said that the County Development Plan needs to be gone through “line by line”. “We have got to change a core part of the County Development Plan; what’s …