City, county councils at odds over boundary extension

LIMERICK County Council yesterday dismissed a demand by the city council for a boundary extension as nothing more than a money-grabbing exercise.

The city council maintains Limerick’s development is being strangled by a restrictive boundary. But the county council yesterday said it would lose €8 million (40%) of its €20m rates revenue if the extension was granted.

Limerick City Council issued a boundary document last November and the county council has six months to come back with a detailed reply.

Environment Minister Dick Roche will then decide on the issue.

County council chairman Eddie Wade said yesterday: “We shouldn’t waste any more time discussing the issue. The financial effects of the proposed boundary extension would be enormous.”

He said businesses in the suburbs, currently in the jurisdiction of the county council, would face hikes in rates of 73% over 12 years.

He also voiced concern about the possible proliferation of social housing in the outskirts of the city, if the city council took control of these areas.

“I don’t want another Southill out in Knockeagh or Ballyneety,” he said.

He said a boundary extension would just create more problems.

“It would see about 28% of the county’s population of 120,000 transfer to the city and 40% of the county’s commercial rate base going to the city,” he added.

Cllr Kevin Sheahan said the city council wants to increase revenue at the county council’s expense.

Limerick County Council’s formal response to the proposal will be ratified at a meeting scheduled for April 25.