No proposed increase in rates for Castlebar traders

No proposed increase in rates for Castlebar traders


Edwin McGreal
edwinmcgreal@mayonews.ie

Businesses in Castlebar town will not be subject to any increase in rates in the €7 million Draft Budget for Castlebar Town Council in 2013.
Town Manager Seamus Granahan has proposed no increase in commercial rates ahead of the Annual Budget Meeting this afternoon (Tuesday).
Therefore the rate will remain at €70.94 in the Euro of rateable value. Note, this is distinct from the actual value of a premises and a typical rateable value could range between €30 and €100 for a averaged sized property.
In his report Mr Granahan said that the national financial situation will have a ‘major impact’ on the council’s budget, especially with the five per cent in the local government fund.
However he said that ‘given the extreme pressure local businesses are experiencing’, they were not proposing to increase local rates in 2013, saying they hope to instead make savings from ‘operational efficiencies and reductions in spend on non core activities’.
Mr Granahan added that he has provided €40,000 as a draft allocation to the Linenhall Arts Centre in accordance with a resolution passed during the year which leaves only €10,000 for other amenity grants.

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