Extra Cuts In Services As Rates Reduce By 1 Per Cen
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Brne Backs FF Proposal
ANGRY exchanges between the sole Sinn Fein and Labour representatives on the Town Council greeted the decision to reduce commercial rates by one per cent at the body's annual Budget meeting on Thursday night last.
The reduction in rates was championed by Fianna Fail members and supported by Labour's Cllr Lar Byrne while Fine Gael, SF and the sole Independent member, Cllr Sean O'Brien opposed the move.
Instead they proposed that the Budget advocated by management, which included massive cuts in services, be adopted with the provision of an extra €5,000 for community events, including a town festival, as proposed by SF's Cllr Brendan Killeavy.
The one per cent reduction in rates will cost the council €30,000 in the coming year and extra cuts, identified by FF, equalling that amount were passed by members on a majority vote of five to four.
In the wake of the vote, Cllr O'Brien warned that the decision would mean even further cutbacks.
Earlier the independent member had accused Fianna Fail councillors of looking after the interests of business rather than the entire community - an accusation which was dismissed by Cllr Declan Harvey.
Cllr Paddy Rowland [FF] said the body had to to send out a message that Tullamore 'was open for business.'
SF's Cllr Brendan Killeavy also rounded on Labour's Cllr Lar Byrne for supporting the rates cut and asked how he could explain to the people of Tullamore that there would be reduced services.
He also claimed the decision would lead to redundancies and the loss of the council's Community Liaison Officer.
Cllr Byrne accused Cllr Killeavy of always 'slating the Labour party' and asked how the decision could lead to redundancies.
'You are cutting the people you are supposed to represent,' thundered Cllr Killeavy.
Appealing for calm, Cathaoirleach Cllr Sinead Dooley stressed that a democratic decision had been taken and asked members to refrain from personal comments.
She added that under the terms of the Croke Park Agreement there would be no redundancies. However, Cllr Killeavy claimed that temporary contracts could be revised due to the council's decision.
Town Manager, Declan Kirrane said the Executive will provide a plan at the February meeting outlining how they would meet services with reduced finance.
Cllr Tommy McKeigue [FG] said that a one per cent cut would translate into a saving of just €6 per week for the vast majority of rate payers.
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