Levy boycott to hit local services

Water services and road repairs are being slashed by local authorities because of the household charge boycott, but councillors are to push for a reversal in the budget cuts.

Cuts to water services and repairs for roads, as well as a deferral of community grants, were among €2.85m in savings detailed to councillors in Cork County Council yesterday.

The cuts were outlined as local authorities prepared to send out a second batch of letters — which will include legal threats for the first time — to property owners refusing to pay the charge.