Concerns of business community reflected in rate reduction

Concerns of business community reflected in rate reduction


Áine Ryan

The huge economic pressures on Westport’s business community were last week acknowledged when Westport Town Councillors agreed to a reduction of 2.5 per cent in the commercial rates to be imposed in 2010.
“We are sending the business community a very clear message whether they are in the retail, hotel or general business sector, that we have listened to their concerns. We can now walk around the town and say: Westport is open for business,” said Cathaoirleach Myles Staunton.
The significantly reduced rate was struck after councillors adjourned for a brief meeting on where to identify savings in the proposed draft budget and after a presentation by the town’s Chamber of Commerce.
Since 2001, year-on-year, the rate was marginally increased in Westport, with last year’s, at €66.50, remaining the same as 2008. The 2010 rate was struck at €64.84 in the euro.
Councillors also agreed to ringfence €10,000 towards emergency weather conditions and their costs, after longtime Fianna FΡil Clr Margaret Adams argued the case. To facilitate the significant rate decrease they identified a number of areas where savings could be made. They included carpark improvements, woodland developments, the purchase of machinery, Leisure Park funding (on the capital side), as well as general environmental improvements.
Moreover, Cllr Brendan Mulroy stressed that any business struggling with rates should come forward to the council where difficulties would be addressed, as far as possible.
“Any business which has difficulties with rates should be made aware that this office is open and they can be facilitated with payment by installments,” Cllr Mulroy said.
This was echoed by Ms Anne Moore, Town Clerk, who noted that executive members had met with business people, experiencing difficulty, throughout 2009.

Budget priorities
AMONG priorities in the 2010 budget are the consolidation of Westport’s position as a tourism destination, as well as the availing of opportunities for capital investment, particularly in the areas of tourism, sustainable travel and the Smart Economy.
Continued support of the arts and culture is highlighted, with specific reference also to the Gaelforce festival. The support and fostering of the commercial, retail and industrial sectors, with direct investment in a series of project, aims to effect a direct stimulus for economic activity in 2010.
This year’s proposed budget provides for a gross expenditure of €5,469,932 – which is almost a 2 per cent reduction (€88,478) on 2009.
A main area of income, the Local Government Fund, has been reduced by €58,721 – almost seven per cent – due to various national budgetary cutbacks during 2009. Pay rate reductions also have an  impact on income but a significant 65 per cent of the savings will be retained by the council.
The roads grant is set to stay the same as last year’s final allocation of €177,000. Westport’s high number of holiday homes also means that additional income of €140,000 is projected to be accrued from the Non Principal Private Residence Charge of €200, also recently introduced in the national budget.
Property charge questioned
At last week’s meeting, Cllr Christy Hyland questioned how the successful collection of this new property charge could be effected efficiently.
“There are questions about this second home property payment and how some people have paid and others have not. The logistics of collecting this seem to be difficult,” Cllr Hyland said.   Furthermore, Peter Hynes observed: “There is unquestionably a need to make the load more equitable with a property tax but that’s an argument for a bigger chamber.”