Budget cuts smaller than predicted by councillors

Meath businesses will not face a rate increase this year following the formal adoption of Meath County Council's budget for 2011 last week. County council tenants will also avoid an increase in rents, despite the budget being down by €1 million on last year's. Councillors were pleased, however, to hear the reduction in Government funds to the council was just seven per cent, as there had been earlier fears that spending would be down by as much as 15 per cent. However, Meath County Manager Tom Dowling said that, while the 2011 budget will be able to deliver continued improvements next year, he was concerned about funding in 2012 and warned that if the financial position and funding deteriorated, or unforeseen circumstances such as a major environmental issue arose, the council would face extremely difficult times. The €98 million budget was passed unanimously by councillors, amid warnings from many of them that, following the implementation of many efficiences over the last few years, the continued reductions in funding would start to affect services. As prelimary estimates had been based on a cut in funding of 15 per cent, the fact the cut was just seven per cent meant the council was able to allocate an additional €125,000 to housing maintenance, €200,000 to road maintenance, €200,000 to water maintenance, €50,000 towards incubation units for business development and €100,000 for unfinished housing estates. A proposal by Cllr Brian Fitzgerald to reduce residential and commercial development levies next year by 50 per cent and industrial develeopment levies by 75 per cent to encourage development and to exempt all new industrial and commercial businesses from rates next year and give a 50 per cent reeduction in 2012, has been referred to the council's strategic policy committee. Mr Dowling said Cllr Fitzgerald's motion should be given serious consideration and a series of incentives to encourage development should be looked at. The county manager said this year's budget of €98 million compared to €120 million in 2008, €102 million in 2009 and €100 million in 2010. He pointed out that it was the second year in a row there had been no rate increase, and at €69.6247 in the €, it is still one of the lowest rates in the country. He added that, despite the economic changes over the past year, the 2010 budget has served the county well and there had been continued real progress in every aspect of the council's services. “We must continue to ensure that the county maximises every possible opportunity to continue the growth of our county in a balanced manner and be ready for the day when economic growth returns,†he said. Mr Dowling said that, as a county, Meath was extremely attractive for future investment opportunities. “We have a fantastic new road network which is second to none in Europe. We are located beside a major city, air and sea ports. “We have excellent water/waste water and communications capacity available to investors and we also have serviced land in locations investors want to develop for employment purposes. We have a top-class economic development team in place. We are, without doubt, the most accessible county in Ireland, we are open for business and prepared to sell the county to the world,†he said. He pointed out that the local government efficiency review group had confirmed that Meath County Council was doing more with less and had less staff per head of population than any other county, as well as less rates and government funding. Cllr John Farrelly proposed the adoption of the budget, which was seconded by Cllr Eoin Holmes. Cllr Farrelly said that the council was in a situation where they had cut everything to the bone over the last couple of years and was now up against the wall. “We will take a thumping over the next few years if this continues,†he said. Cllr Shane Cassells told he meeting that the Fianna Fail members would also be supporting the budget. He said the main priority was to bring investment into the county. The council cathaoirleach, Cllr Anne Dillon Gallagher, welcomed the funding for incubation units for businesses which would enable young graduates stay in Meath. “I would love to see my children or grandchildren having just a short journey to work in Meath,†she said. Cllr Joe Reilly said that cutbacks over the past few years had seen the loss of 115 workers and any further efficiences would affect services. Cllr Tommy Reilly congratulated senior engineer Eugene Cummins on securing €4.8 million for improvement to roads adjacent to the M3.