‘Epic’ County Budget well received

The Cork County Budget for 2021 was passed unanimously this week with one elected member calling the process “the best we’ve seen in 11 years”.

Fine Gael county leader Cllr John Paul O’Shea heaped praise upon the council for delivering a sturdy budget of €348 million, an increase of €10 million on 2020’s budget.

The increase was partly made possible by funding from central government following a predicted deficit of over €19 million in council funds due to Covid-19.

This funding will allow the council to maintain core services, improve town centre economic activity and restore cuts previously made to areas such as dereliction and the arts programme.

A 2.5 per cent increase in local property tax (LPT) on 2020’s rate also contributed to the recuperation of funds, providing an additional €2.35 million for 2021.

The decision not to increase business rates in 2021 was especially praised by numerous members, as was the promise to maintain 2020 funding levels for the general municipal allocation (GMA), town development fund (TDF) and village enhancement fund (VEF).

“Obviously, today’s budget was made under very difficult circumstances. It’s a very positive day for businesses in the county who have had a very difficult year,” said Cllr O’Shea.

Core housing, roads and municipal district services will be maintained at 2020 levels, with town presentation and approaches funding to be returned to €1.1 million.

However, Fianna Fáil county leader Cllr Seamus McGrath had a number of concerns with the proposed budget. He said the council’s plan to impose a weekly €2 boiler maintenance charge for people living in council housing was “outdated” and that the funds should be raised by fairer means.

He also took issue with a proposed increase on the entry fee for civic amenity sites in the county from €3 to €4, on top of increased waste disposal charges within the sites themselves.

Cllr McGrath said: “It’s a step too far to be asking people to pay more at the gate, and then pay more inside.”

Green Party Cllr Liam Quaide called the new budget “epic work”, but voiced concerns over the limited monitoring of air quality in the county.

Cllr Quaide asked that €20,000 of the climate action fund be put aside for a pilot scheme of air quality monitoring outside schools in Cork county.

Independent Cllr Ben Dalton O’Sullivan asked that Cork County Council become a paperless operation, pointing out that the postage cost for the budget meeting alone was €105. He asked that payslips and postage to elected members be done digitally unless requested otherwise.

“Before we look at cuts to services, there’s an obligation on us to look at where efficiencies can be made,” the Cllr said.

Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey said: “The draft Budget 2021 has been prepared in a time of great uncertainty and increasing risk. We live through the worst global pandemic in a century, and as a county we continue to deliver and expand services to help respond to the needs of our citizens.”

Positives

One of the standout positives from the 2021 Budget is the decision not to increase rates for businesses. A Government bailout and an increase in LPT of 2.5 per cent each played a major role in the decision.

Cllr O’Shea said: “I think this will give businesses a show of optimism, and that we are working with them to ensure we get as many businesses re-opened going into 2021.”

Despite the no increase, Cork County Budget 2021 anticipates a rates yield of €112.5 million, an increase of €2 million on 2020.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Pat Hayes also welcomed the move, stating that without it, many small businesses would not have survived the pandemic.

Calls for the appointment of a dedicated dereliction officer were made throughout Monday’s meeting following the proposed restoration of funding for dereliction management.

Cllr McGrath was the first to propose the creation of the position, labelling it an “essential” step. “A dereliction officer with county-wide responsibility could build up great expertise in dealing with the issue of dereliction.”

Mr Lucey supported the idea and indicated that the Council would seriously consider it.