Over 25 per cent of ratepayers in Trim facing court

Rate collection in Trim Town Council remains poor, with 66 of the council's 220 accounts now subject to court proceedings for non-payment of rates. Earlier this year, serious concerns emerged about the poor level of rates collection from businesses in the town, which was impacting on the council's revenue. Meetings were held with Trim Chamber of Commerce and businesses were urged not to ignore their rates demands and to come and speak to the council to come to an arrangement. At last week's town council meeting, Cllr Ronan McKenna asked if there had been an improvement in rates collection. Town clerk Brian Murphy responded that there had been an improvement in July and August but that 30 cases were referred for court action in September and a further 16 in October. He said they were now at a stage where 25 per cent of their total rate collection was subject to court proceedings. Mr Murphy added that Kells Town Council was in a similar situation. Cllr McKenna asked if the businesses had made any efforts to work with the council and Mr Murphy replied that just one business had contacted the local authority. He said 66 out of their 220 rate accounts were subject to court proceedings and pointed out that these busineses were now facing legal costs on top of their rates bill. Mr Murphy stressed that “legal action was a last resort†and that he did not like putting extra costs on businesses, but if they ignored the council's rates demands, there was nothing they could do. He added that he had meetings with the Chamber of Commerce and that the councillors had also met with them. Town manager Tadhg McDonnell said the poor rate collection would have implications for the council's budget. He said that if the council makes a provision for bad debt, this will mean those who do pay their rates would have a bigger amount to pay. Cllr McKenna reiterated the call for businesses who haven't paid their rates to contact the town council, or to contact one of the councillors. He urged ratepayers not to ignore the issue. Cllr Ray Butler said the number of businesses who had not got in contact to pay their rates was a “sign of the timesâ€. He said he was in contact with local businesspeople on a regular basis and that there are “days when they don't see a customer come into their shopâ€. He added: “Before, they always came up and made payments and arrangements. They understand that rates have to be paid.†The reality was that there was fear for the future among small businesses in the town and the rest of the country. Cllr Trevor Golden reminded businesses that the council's door was open and that the council was willing to enter into a payment scheme with local businesses and facilitate them in any way it could.