Council official warns of ‘massive’ funding challenge

KERRY County Council is facing a “massive challenge” in relation to its funding for the year, head of finance, John O’Connor, warned yesterday.

The council depends on the Government for 55% of its €145.75 million budget, the official said.

He advised that all of the council’s investment programmes would be affected.

“There’s no doubt we’re facing into very difficult circumstances,” said Mr O’Connor.

All of the council’s works would have to be regularly reviewed and adjusted to meet changed financial circumstances, he said.

“Over the coming year and far beyond, the council must relentlessly implement strict budgetary and debtor control so as to sustain our financial capacity to deliver the core essential statutory services to the residents and visitors to the county,” he said.

Mr O’Connor added that debtors would have to make a genuine effort to deal with the council or the council would be forced to take whatever action was necessary.

It recently emerged the council was owed €1.5m in unpaid development levies.

Replying to Fine Gael councillor, Pat McCarthy, who had asked if major roads and housing programmes would be hit by financial cutbacks, Mr O’Connor said all investment programmes would be affected.

An answer to a motion by Fianna Fáil’s John Brassil also revealed the council had a €3.25m ESB bill last year, prompting the councillor to ask what was being done to reduce the outlay on energy costs.

Water and sewage services accounted for €2.4m of the energy bill and public lighting more than €500,000, with the remainder going to heat and light at numerous buildings.

Some initiatives have been undertaken to cut energy usage in offices and other buildings, but conservation and cost-reduction efforts have focused mainly on the water services area.

The installation of high-efficiency energy pumps and motors resulted in a 19% saving in running costs.

A hydro-turbine at Lough Guitane, source of Kerry’s biggest water scheme, has resulted in savings of €700,000 since it was installed in 2001. Electricity generated by the turbine is used in the Lough Guitane treatment plant.

The hydro-electric system is expected to run for more than 50 years and will ensure continued savings for the council, which is looking at hydro systems for other water services, near Killarney and Tralee.

High-efficiency lighting is being fitted to all new buildings by the council, while some old buildings, including Tralee Library, have been retrofitted with high-efficiency lights.

Electricity usage at Tralee Library has dropped 50%.