Trim parking to cost extra 20c as rate rises 1.9%

Parking on the streets of Trim will cost motorists an additional 20 cent per hour this year. A commercial rate increase of 1.9 per cent has been agreed by Trim Town Council for the coming year and paid parking in the town is to go up by 20c per hour, following the adoption of the 2009 budget. Town Manager Kevin Stewart said that an increase in paid parking from 60c to 80c per hour was being proposed but it would still leave Trim the cheapest town in the county for paid parking. Long-stay charges will remain the same. Cathaoirleach Cllr Trevor Golden said they had brought in a rate well below inflation and that they knew a difficult year was ahead but did not know how difficult. He added it would have been irresponsible to bring in a low or zero rate because of the issue of 'rate stabilisation" and that, if the town"s boundary is extended, they would be under pressure if the rate was significantly behind the county council rate. Cllr Golden thanked the officials for their working with them on the rate and the budget, while Cllr Phil Cantwell said he had wanted no business rate increase at all but realised they had to face up to some increase. He said that the Taoiseach and Government were looking at the whole question of wage decreases and asked that, if there is a decrease in wages, they could revisit the budget. Mr Stewart joked that they could not because council staff would be 'on strike'. He said if there were any significant changes, the officials would be back to councillors straight away. The 1.9 per cent rate increase was proposed by Cllr Golden and seconded by Cllr Ray Butler. Mr Stewart thanked all councillors for their input and said they had come in three or four weeks ago and produced a draft budget, and it had been a positive experience how they had all worked through it. He added that if any changes happen that affects income or expenditure, he would come back to councillors. Cllr Cantwell said if any business premises is in difficulty, they should come and talk to the council. Mr Stewart said it was not going to be an easy year for businesses and that there would be ratepayers who will be in difficulty. These people could come to the council and they would be happy to enter into an arrangement with them. Town Clerk Brian Murphy commented that one local businessman had set up a standing order for his rates and forgot to cancel it. The January payment went through and he is now in credit and is going to continue with the standing order arrangement. He said they are willing to make arrangements like this for other ratepayers in the town. 'There are several mechanisms available to people. If somebody is in difficulty, do not let it go for six months. Come in and talk to us,' said Cllr Golden. Cllr Butler, who owns a shoe shop in the town, said that Christmas business had been down and, like every other town, he is hearing business was down 20 to 30 per cent in all sectors. He added that it was going to be a tough year for businesses, especially small businesses, which are finding it very hard to get any money from the banks in overdrafts or loans. 'The banks have shut up completely. I would like it to go out from this meeting that if small business is to survive, we need the banks up and running. They can"t just shut up shop,' said Cllr Butler. He thanked the town council for being open to talk to traders. He said a lot of people are in arrears with their rates and are finding it hard, and he urged them to speak to the council and not to bury their heads in the sand.