Warning of job losses if councils fail to peg rates hike

LIMERICK Chamber of Commerce yesterday warned jobs will be lost if Limerick county and city councils don’t peg rates increases to the absolute minimum.

President of Limerick Chamber, John Walsh appealed to the two local authorities to keep increases to a minimum and not to allow any increases exceed the projected 3.5% rate of inflation. He said: “Historically, inadequate exchequer funding has forced local authorities to source necessary funds from the business community through commercial rates, water charges, development contributions and other charges. All of these have increased year on year and have damaged competitiveness in the process.”

He commended Limerick City Council on last year becoming the first local authority to reduce its annual rate but said more needs to be done.