Labour seeks ‘freeze’ on rates on parking charges

By Kernan Andrews

Business must be encouraged and the vulnerable protected so it is vital the refuse waiver is retained and commercial rates and city parking charges are not increased next year.

This is the view of The Labour Party members in Galway City Council who are seeking to find a way to achieve these aims in the upcoming council budget.

The five Labour members have prepared costed budget proposals that would ensure their retention. It is calling on the ‘mayoral pact’ parties - Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and the Independent former PDs - to join forces with them to ensure councillors are united and can fight together on this issue.

The budget will be decided at the council meeting on Monday December 7. It is expected that council officials will push for the abolition of the waiver and a hike in rates and parking charges in order to cover part of the €9 million shortfall in City Hall’s overall budget.

“This is the first time in over a quarter century that the council’s budget will be reduced, and reduced dramatically,” said Labour councillor Derek Nolan. “The budget must be focused on protecting the vulnerable and protecting jobs. Our budget proposals achieve this.”

It is understood that the waiver system is costing the council €1 million a year but Cllr Nolan says it is “vital to the elderly and those on social welfare”.

Cllr Nolan also said a hike in the rates would only increase “the poor business environment and its affect on jobs”. As a result freezing commercial rates and parking charges is “critical” to supporting “struggling businesses and their employees

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