Meeting about rates between local bodies 'worthwhile'

A meeting between Trim Town Council and local Chamber of Commerce representatives to discuss the issue of low rates collection in the town was described as "very worthwhile" and "positive" by Chamber president Yvette Bloomfield. On Wednesday evening of last week, Ms Bloomfield together with vice-president Joe Patterson, secretary Patrick Curran and treasurer John McEvoy met with town clerk Brian Murphy and local councillors to discuss ways to improve rates collection after it recently emerged that just 24 per cent of rates due for the year had been collected to date. Mr Murphy gave the Chamber a run-down on how rates are collected and spent, and what percentage would ususally be taken in by now. The meeting was chaired by council cathaoirleach Trevor Golden. Ms Bloomfield told the meeting that a lot of people had not made a profit since 2007 and were just about "holding their own". She also explained that PAYE, PRSI and levies increases mean the costs associated with each employee have gone up 30 per cent. The Chamber said there also used to be a rate collector who would call to businesses, and that many businesses would make sure to have the money ready for him, rather than the payment card system that was brought in, which meant rates tended to go on the "long finger" for some businesses. In response to this point, the town council has agreed to have a person call again to businesses and this collector will be in town twice each week. Businesses will also have an opportunity to set up direct debits on a weekly basis, or they can use the new payment card. "It was all very positive," said Ms Bloomfield adding that the council was urging businesses not to ignore the issue of rates and to come and talk to them. "The town clerk and councillors are all saying, don't ignore it. They said come and talk to us and we will listen and help as much as we can. They said to pay whatever you can and that if you don't pay, they will have no choice but to take legal proceedings as this is the Government's rules," she added. Ms Bloomfield said they were also told that if the rates collection does not improve by September, there will be an interim budget with cutbacks in the town and that this would not look good for the ratepayers. The town clerk, Brian Murphy, has also agreed to attend the next Chamber meeting on Thursday 5th August to talk to all the members. He will make the same presentation and answer any questions that members may have. "We are very pleased. It was a very worthwhile meeting," added Ms Bloomfield. Meanwhile, the latest art and food market held by the Chamber in Trim at the weekend was the most successful to date. The event was organised to coincide with the An Post Heritage Cycle and was held for the first time on the green area to the front of Trim Castle.