Kilrush Town Council last night announced a series of measures aimed at stimulating growth in the West Clare economy.
Among the key points of the Kilrush Town Council’s Budget for 2010 is a freeze on commercial and local authority housing rent rates, a 3 per cent reduction in commercial water charges, an increase in the Housing Maintenance Programme, and a pledge to review the town’s Parking Bye Laws.
Speaking following last night’s unanimous adoption of the Budget, Mayor of Kilrush Councillor Marion McMahon-Jones expressed her optimism that the series of approved measures would provide the stimulus for economic development in Kilrush in the coming years. “In framing the Budget for 2010, the Council was very conscious of the need to encourage more business activity in the town, retain employment and where possible, create additional employment. The ongoing need to boost tourism and economic development in the town has therefore been provided for”, she explained.
Mayor McMahon Jones continued: “To enable Kilrush to retain its competitiveness in the economy and to establish itself as a thriving business capital in West Clare, the Budget proposes no increase in commercial rates. Furthermore, the commercial water charges for commercial water consumers in the town of Kilrush, which were part of the County Council’s Budget, have been reduced by 3 per cent for 2010. The issue of parking charges will also be addressed through a review of the Parking Bye Laws in 2010 and this will encourage people to avail of parking, free of charge, at certain times”.
“The Council also recognises the genuine efforts of Council Tenants to pay their housing rents in 2009 and it is heartening to see that the projected income from rents in 2009 will be realised. To this end, it is proposed not to increase rents for 2010”, added the Mayor.
Overall the Budget provides for a 12.5 per cent reduction in expenditure, while at the same time, maintaining the same level of services as 2009. The main reductions are in Payroll (14 per cent), Road Grants (10 per cent) and other non-pay expenditure (15 per cent).
Kilrush Town Manager Nora Kaye noted that one of the Council’s core objectives is to create employment. She said there are many employment related aspects to the Budget, including the increase in the Housing Maintenance Programme, which not alone will ensure that an enhanced maintenance programme is carried out but will provide employment in the construction industry.
Ms. Kaye continued: “This will give a much-needed boost to this sector. While the Budget is concerned only with Revenue Expenditure, the Council is hopeful that Phase 2 of John Paul Estate will be approved by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in 2010, thereby ensuring the continuation of necessary regeneration works and providing additional employment for a number of sectors. In addition, other capital projects, which will be funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, will boost employment and enterprise locally.”
Ms. Kaye explained that Kilrush Town Council and the West Clare Economic Development Task Force would continue to work to ensure Kilrush benefits from new business and tourism developments. She stated: “Kilrush Town boasts a number of well established tourist attractions including The Heritage Town Trail, the Marina, Cappa Pier, Scattery Island, and the Vandeleur Walled Garden and Coffee / Gift shop, which collectively generate income for the town in the form of employment, tourism and increased business activities.”
In welcoming the continuing financial support from POBAL, Ms. Kaye acknowledged the benefits of all agencies working together for the same overall outcome. “Kilrush Town Council works in Partnership with many government agencies for the future development of Kilrush. Our team effort with FAS, Clare County Council, the Gardaí, Tidy Towns, Chamber of Commerce and others has been hugely instrumental in developing the town both economically and socially”, concluded the Town Manager.
Meanwhile, members of Kilrush Town Council last night unanimously adopted a resolution to provide free car parking in the town in the run up to Christmas. As a goodwill gesture to local businesses and consumers, the Council has introduced free parking in Kilrush on Saturday 12th and Saturday 19th December, as well as from Monday 21st to Thursday 24th December. The suspension of parking charges is subject to a maximum limit of 2 hours per vehicle. All other elements of the traffic Bye Laws remain in effect during this period.
Among the key points of the Kilrush Town Council’s Budget for 2010 is a freeze on commercial and local authority housing rent rates, a 3 per cent reduction in commercial water charges, an increase in the Housing Maintenance Programme, and a pledge to review the town’s Parking Bye Laws.
Speaking following last night’s unanimous adoption of the Budget, Mayor of Kilrush Councillor Marion McMahon-Jones expressed her optimism that the series of approved measures would provide the stimulus for economic development in Kilrush in the coming years. “In framing the Budget for 2010, the Council was very conscious of the need to encourage more business activity in the town, retain employment and where possible, create additional employment. The ongoing need to boost tourism and economic development in the town has therefore been provided for”, she explained.
Mayor McMahon Jones continued: “To enable Kilrush to retain its competitiveness in the economy and to establish itself as a thriving business capital in West Clare, the Budget proposes no increase in commercial rates. Furthermore, the commercial water charges for commercial water consumers in the town of Kilrush, which were part of the County Council’s Budget, have been reduced by 3 per cent for 2010. The issue of parking charges will also be addressed through a review of the Parking Bye Laws in 2010 and this will encourage people to avail of parking, free of charge, at certain times”.
“The Council also recognises the genuine efforts of Council Tenants to pay their housing rents in 2009 and it is heartening to see that the projected income from rents in 2009 will be realised. To this end, it is proposed not to increase rents for 2010”, added the Mayor.
Overall the Budget provides for a 12.5 per cent reduction in expenditure, while at the same time, maintaining the same level of services as 2009. The main reductions are in Payroll (14 per cent), Road Grants (10 per cent) and other non-pay expenditure (15 per cent).
Kilrush Town Manager Nora Kaye noted that one of the Council’s core objectives is to create employment. She said there are many employment related aspects to the Budget, including the increase in the Housing Maintenance Programme, which not alone will ensure that an enhanced maintenance programme is carried out but will provide employment in the construction industry.
Ms. Kaye continued: “This will give a much-needed boost to this sector. While the Budget is concerned only with Revenue Expenditure, the Council is hopeful that Phase 2 of John Paul Estate will be approved by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in 2010, thereby ensuring the continuation of necessary regeneration works and providing additional employment for a number of sectors. In addition, other capital projects, which will be funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, will boost employment and enterprise locally.”
Ms. Kaye explained that Kilrush Town Council and the West Clare Economic Development Task Force would continue to work to ensure Kilrush benefits from new business and tourism developments. She stated: “Kilrush Town boasts a number of well established tourist attractions including The Heritage Town Trail, the Marina, Cappa Pier, Scattery Island, and the Vandeleur Walled Garden and Coffee / Gift shop, which collectively generate income for the town in the form of employment, tourism and increased business activities.”
In welcoming the continuing financial support from POBAL, Ms. Kaye acknowledged the benefits of all agencies working together for the same overall outcome. “Kilrush Town Council works in Partnership with many government agencies for the future development of Kilrush. Our team effort with FAS, Clare County Council, the Gardaí, Tidy Towns, Chamber of Commerce and others has been hugely instrumental in developing the town both economically and socially”, concluded the Town Manager.
Meanwhile, members of Kilrush Town Council last night unanimously adopted a resolution to provide free car parking in the town in the run up to Christmas. As a goodwill gesture to local businesses and consumers, the Council has introduced free parking in Kilrush on Saturday 12th and Saturday 19th December, as well as from Monday 21st to Thursday 24th December. The suspension of parking charges is subject to a maximum limit of 2 hours per vehicle. All other elements of the traffic Bye Laws remain in effect during this period.
