County council gets €85m in rates as city takes issue

A RECORD €85.7 million in commercial rates was collected by Cork County Council in 2007 and they estimate the figure will peak this year to €94m, but thereafter could fall due to an expected downturn in the economy.

The rates levied on businesses are vital in running many of the local authority’s services. As a result some county councillors yesterday expressed concern that Cork City Council’s attempt to extend its boundary into rate ‘cash cow’ areas could seriously damage the county council’s ability to fund its services in the future.

The city council was again warned ‘hands-off’ when County Cllr Maurice Ahern (FF) said it wanted to take control of major rate-paying areas in the county, such as Ringaskiddy, Little Island and Carrigtwohill.