MIXED VIEWS AS LOCAL BUSINESSES CALL FOR CUT IN RATES
Local hotel owner, Pat Tangney was among business owners from across Munster that gathered in Limerick recently to highlight the problems they face due to the burden of commercial rates placed on their companies.
Meeting in the Strand Hotel in Limerick the employers demanded that the Government lower rate costs and so save jobs.
“Over 450 retail units closed across the country in the first seven weeks of 2011, this is about ten units or businesses per day. All we want is fair play, and lower rates will save businesses and jobs,” Mr Tangney told The Avondhu.
MAKING THE CHOICE
“Many businesses have to make the choice, pay the rates or keep someone in a job. If you keep a small business going, you save jobs and local government, city or town council will get more money. If businesses go bust then the amount of money a council has to spend on services will greatly decrease and in the long run everybody suffers.”
However, Fermoy town clerk, Ray Owens has described a move by Youghal Town Council where the town’s executive uses its discretion to strike off due rates in certain circumstances at the end of the year to offer an incentive to landlords as ‘acting outside the powers of the council’.
ACTING OUTSIDE POWERS
Cllr Seamus Coleman highlighted the recent motion adopted by Youghal Town Council and suggested that the same could be put into effect in Fermoy.
“I think Fermoy needs to subsidies rates for start up businesses and that landlords should look again at the rents they are charging. The motion adopted by Youghal Town Council is at least a positive move and I feel that Fermoy Town Council could be doing more to encourage business and keep jobs in the town,” Cllr Coleman said.
Ray Owens disagrees with the move taken by Youghal Town Council, “I wouldn’t agree with what they have done. I think they are acting outside their powers in doing that,” Mr Owens told councillors at a recent Fermoy Town Council meeting.
Published:
Thursday 30th June 7:31pm
