Unpaid rates becoming serious issue in Trim

Unpaid rates payments are becoming a serious issue for Trim Town Council, councillors heard at last week's budget meeting. There has been a significant reduction in the rates income to the town council in 2009, compared to 2008, town manager Kevin Stewart said, with almost €280,000 in uncollected rates still outstanding. However, there was good news for businesses in the town with a zero per cent increase in rates in the 2010 budget adopted, and no increase in short-term car parking charges. It is also planned to proceed with the improvement work process on Watergate Street and at Navangate, and €1.8 million will be spent on the town this year. The rates issue could become a serious cashflow problem for a small local authority like Trim and the council has to get it for the running of the town, Mr Stewart said. Some €87,000 had been identified as recoverable. But the amount of irrecoverable rates had increased by 45 per cent in 2009, a trend that looked set to continue. Town clerk Brian Murphy outlined the revised budget presentation, following the Local Government Fund allocation. Council income would include €549,000 from the Local Government Fund; €830,000 from rates; €19,000 from the second property tax; €1,000 from the pensions reduction; and €692,000 from miscellaneous. Expenditure comes to €1.68 million and a county council charge of €662,000. In housing, €42,923 will be spent on housing maintenance and rental income of €210,000 is estimated. In roads and transportation, €210,000 service on a €5 million loan is allowed for; €150,000 towards the block grant and €127,000 on traffic management. Paid parking and fines income is €361,000. Some €27,000 will be spent on public lighting, and the reopening of the public toilets will cost €7,000. Pay as you go for this will bring in €1,800. A sum of €7,000 will be set aside for a feasibility study on an enterprise centre. The tourist office will receive €32,000, while the town twinning allocation is reduced to €750. There will be no fireworks next New Year's Eve, and there is a 10 per cent reduction in the town clerk's and town manager's allowances, and a 50 per cent reduction for civic receptions. Other expenditure includes street-cleaning, amenity and sports and social funds. The works at Navangate and Watergate Street will put additional costs on the servicing the €5 million loan. The Navangate project, at a cost of €900,000, will create an additional cost of €25,000 per annum on the €5 million, and the Watergate Street project, costing €350,000, will add €10,000 per annum. The free parking allowed for in certain car parks on Saturdays will continue from February, but parking in some long-term car parks would increase from €2 to €2.50. There will be a €10 processing charge for residential parking discs. Town manager Kevin Stewart said the budget would see €1.8 million being spent on the town in 2010. It was proposed by cathaoirleach, Cllr Ray Butler, and seconded by Cllr Gerry Reilly. Cllr Butler said it was a budget for challenging times and a time when a lot of businesses were suffering. He said that the council would facilitate anybody who came to it in an effort to pay its rates, in working out some method of paying. Cllr Reilly said it must be the first time that a budget was struck without increasing the commercial rate in the town.