Clare’s businesses have failed in their bid to secure a reduction in commercial rates for 2013.
Clare County Councillors have voted to freeze rates levels for another year as part of efforts to maintain levels of service, something which the county manager has warned is becoming increasingly difficult.
Clare County manager Tom Coughlan’s report to last night’s Council meeting states that it has been particularly difficult to draw up a budget for 2013 which maintains current levels of service.
Income from the Local Government Fund drops by only one per cent next year, but still shows a fall of 6.4m since 2008.
Overall income has dropped 14m in the same time frame and this was cited as a reason for the decision not to bow to recent pressure from businesses to drop commercial rates or water charges.
Tom Coughlan said that simply wasn’t an option
Accounts for 2012 show the maintenance of traveller accommodation reached 427 thousand euro, 80% over budget, but it’s hoped this will drop next year. The cost of third level grants was also higher than expected, but this will fall with the new centralized system.
Next year’s budget provides for a small increase in spending on the arts and the library service while spending on street cleaning remains largely the same.
It’s anticipated savings will be made in the running of the Clare Fire Division and the county’s landfill operations.
