‘Brand Mayo’ to reach out to global community

‘Brand Mayo’ to reach out to global community


Anton McNulty

MAYO County Council plans to reach out to the global Mayo community in 2011 and develop ‘Brand Mayo’ in order to maximise investment opportunities in the county.
The concept of ‘Brand Mayo’ is contained in the 2011 annual draft budget proposed by Mayo Council Council which will have a total expenditure estimated at €131,952,449 - a reduction of three per cent on 2010. In the period from 2008-2011, the Council has seen its Council expenditure reduced by over €20 million and it is expected to be reduced further in the next four years.
In his first budget as the new County Manager, Mr Peter Hynes explained that the national fiscal difficulties and the intervention of the IMF and the ECB will result in ‘significant challenges’ having to be met by the Council. Mr Hynes stated that the budget will be framed to meet three key objectives: Consolidation; Community Support and County Development.
In relation to County Development, Mr Hynes explains in the budget report that the Council will look to develop ‘Brand Mayo’ on the International stage and he feels that they need to connect with the global Mayo community.
“The occasion of the Mayo World Convention in 2011 provides a significant development to advance the connection with the global Mayo community. The development of ‘Brand Mayo’ in terms of the tourism product, investment opportunity, and the promotion of an indigenous food industry, are areas where Mayo County Council can provide significant assistance during the course of 2011,” he said.
The other key objectives outlined in the report include reducing the cost base and ensuring value for money in all services, prioritising services which require statutory compliance and maximising opportunities for inward investment. Mr Hynes explained that despite the financial difficulties, there will be opportunities arising for investment, particularly in tourism infrastructure, and the budget ‘is designed to provide resources to match-fund and avail of these opportunities’.
There is no plan to increase the current county rate on commercial and industrial property but water charges for non-domestic consumers will be increased by ten per cent. Mr Hynes outlined that in the context of the current economic climate this charge was necessary to pay for the costs of the capital schemes and water services in the county.
“Local authority funds a significant proportion, generally around 30 per cent of the costs of all capital schemes. Our borrowing to cover this investment currently stands at €9 million and the servicing of this borrowing in 2011 is estimated at €800,000. The costs incurred in the provision of water services are required to be met through charges imposed on the non-domestic consumer. The increase required to comply with the national policy is in my view in the current economic climate, a reasonable and balanced step in the process.”
The total reduction in the Council’s revenue for 2010 is €5.60 million, with 60.06 per cent of their income coming from State Grants, 16.64 per cent from Goods and Sevices charges and the remainder coming from Recoupment and Agency Works. Mr Hynes added that it was ‘inevitable’ that a significant proportion of the costs from the severe winter weather will have to be met from the Council’s own resources.
The draft annual budget has been circulated to all Mayo county councillors and will be discussed at the first Budget meeting in Áras an Chontae on Monday, January 10.