Cork city councillors seek to avert 3% commercial rates hike

Frantic efforts are under way in a bid to avert an almost 3% hike in commercial rates in Cork City.

Cork city councillors agreed last night to hold an extra meeting of their finance committee within days to discuss ways of plugging the city’s €1.6m funding shortfall ahead of its November 16 budget meeting.

During an at times tense debate, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin councillors criticised the Government for policy decisions which have cost the city dearly, including: