Cork business leaders slam increase in rates and parking
Cork Chamber called for a complete overhaul of the local authority funding model after councillors voted on a raft of measures to balance the books against the backdrop of a €1.6m shortfall, caused mostly by government policy.
Cork Business Association chief executive Lawrence Owens described the budget as “disheartening”, and said it highlights the need for a city boundary extension.
“The fundamental problem is the city hasn’t seen a boundary extension in 51 years and is being strangled financially as a result,” he said.
The 1.25% rates hike was less than the 2.9% increase proposed by management, and includes a 3% rebate incentive scheme for ratepayers in 2018 who are not in arrears.
However, councillors also voted to double the cost of residents’ parking permits, from €10 to €20 for an annual permit, and from €20 to €40 for a two-year permit, as well as increase by 30c the cost per hour of parking in Paul Street car park.
Cork Chamber said it was disappointed with the rates hike and the “short-term focus” of reducing the city’s Economic Development Fund (EDF) by €150,000.
Chamber president Barrie O’Connell said: “This approach does not align with the importance and responsibility for economic development within the remit of Cork City.”
He said the rates hike and EDF cut sends a mixed message to businesses who have survived a very challenging economic period.
Lord Mayor Des Cahill said councillors faced difficult decisions.
“This has been a compromise budget which is allowing Cork City Council to continue to provide our services in 2017 despite the severe funding cuts it has felt from successive governments in recent years,” he said.
“City traders have survived a testing trading period and a rate increase has been a necessary evil, but I am pleased that this is limited to 1.25%.”
City council CEO Ann Doherty issued a statement last night insisting the budget will have “no adverse impact on services”.
She said the council did “everything in its power” over the last seven years to mitigate difficulties felt by businesses, and had held commercial rates steady through cost savings and by reducing its own revenue reserves.
However, she said the €1.6m shortfall brought about by “externally imposed changes” including road funding and a reduced rates contribution from public utility companies has to be bridged by a “modest increase in rates, a number of budgetary reductions, and some parking fee increases”.
‘Pulses of Tradition’ funding axed
The musician behind the popular city-funded Pulses of Tradition show has expressed disappointed after its funding was axed.
Pulses producer Brian Morrissey said he hopes money can be found next year to reinvent the show after councillors slashed its funding by €120,000.
The decision has effectively axed the show which featured top musicians and singers from bands such as Buille, Liadan, North Cregg, and Nomos, with dancers from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick.
Running twice a week for the last four summers at the city’s Triskel Christchurch venue, Pulses told the story of Irish traditional music, song, and dance through the ages. The only local authority funded show of its kind in Ireland, it performed to thousands, toured in France, Scotland, and China, and was featured on The Late Late Show.It was also touted by tourism promotion agencies as a unique tourist draw and visitor attraction for the city.
However, the lack of tour bus parking spaces near the venue hampered its ability to attract more patrons.
Mr Morrissey praised City Hall for developing the show but expressed disappointment at the budget vote.
“We invested a lot of time and effort into developing the show. We had a phenomenal team of musicians and performers involved,” said Mr Morrissey.
“I know that this probably wasn’t a decision that was taken lightly, so I look forward to talks over the coming weeks and months to see if we can explore other options.”
“The arts give character to a city, that cultural artistic element that you remember after visiting a city. We had very good reviews on Trip Advisor and hopefully we can build on the strong product we have developed.”
Councillors also slashed €70,000 from the 2017 Glow Christmas festival.
Fine Gael councillor John Buttimer said festivals and events like this have to be reinvigorated every year to prevent them becoming “tired and jaded”.
He also said City Hall has to take on board the views of retailers who don not benefit significantly from events such as Glow.
He said a council official has now been appointed to liaise with traders to ensure that all businesses can benefit from events like this.
