Published: Wednesday, 20th January, 2010 4:53pm
No free Saturday parking in Kells
by Ann Casey
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Kells Town Council cannot afford to allow free parking in the town on Saturday in a bid to boost business, was the message from Monday's night's meeting of the council.
Councillors were sympathetic to a letter from representatives of traders in the town asking for a meeting to discuss the possibility of introducing free parking on Saturdays.
However, while the councillors agreed they should meet with the traders and examine means of increasing business in Kells, most believed it wouldn't be financially viable for the council.
The town clerk, Jarlath Flanagan, told councillors the annual revenue from paid parking in Kells on a Saturday averaged between €900 and €1,200. He said the council had budgeted for one free Saturday this year (in the run up to Christmas) and the estimated amount which would be lost by introducing free parking on Saturdays would amount to €53,500 which was equivalent to 8.8 per cent on the rates.
The councillors had received a letter from representatives of traders in the town asking them to meet a small delegation to discuss Saturday parking. In it, the traders said they believed free parking on Saturdays would have long term benefits for the town.
Cllr Bryan Reilly said that free parking in Kells in the run up to Christmas had literally saved business in the town.
"It was hugely successful. Despite the cost involved it would be worth meeting the delegation to hear what they have to say."
Cllr Tommy Grimes said they would have to look at the cost of such a move but he agreed they should meet the delegation.
"The figures have been done up for the year. If it costs more than we can afford, there isn't a lot we can do, but it the loss is minimal, we would have to look at doing it. The week before Christmas was a great bonus for business in Kells," he said.
Cllr Conor Ferguson agreed that they should meet with the traders.
Cllr Sean Drew said they had drawn up a balanced budget in December and they needed facts and figures before they could consider this.
He said they would have to look at what they would have to cut in order to introduce it, or they could consider a 'pay for one hour, get one hour free system.'
Cllr Sarah Reilly welcomed the traders proposal and said "sometimes you have to speculate to accumulate. If we don't give something, we could have more business closures and less rates."
Cllr Brian Collins said businesses were struggling but they didn't know to what extent the weather, last minute Christmas shopping, or free parking had caused the increase in trade before Christmas.
He suggested running the free Saturday parking for a trial period to see what effect it would have.
Cllr Brian Curran said that in the last four to five years, a lot of small local businesses had closed, but he didn't think paid parking was an issue.
"People are going across the border and into bigger towns. The reason Christmas trade was better was because people couldn't travel.
"Realistically if we are to pay our bills and provide services, we cannot do this," he said.
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evan
(Unregistered User)
Jan 22 10 13:10
Our Ref: 2329
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But can afford to give 10,000 euro to the kells road races and keep a large portion of their council travel grant? This council is by far the most short sighted ever, new faces , same old back scratching!
Tommy
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Jan 24 10 01:13
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Around 50,000 people attented Kells Road Races. If each one spent €1 which they undoubtedly did, in fact I'd imagine tenfold that amount, the 10 grand was made back by local businesses in kind. I would not suggest cutting back on funding that brings tourism and the resultant money to Kells. Incidentally if people don't want to pay a euro to park their cars in Kells, I'd suggest cycling into town, there seems to be plenty of money to buy chineses and drink. The new councillers do seem to be kak though, I'd suggest cutting expenses right back and then the right quality of person will take the roles, cause from what I observe, half of them are only in it for personal gain, as are most of our public representatives in Dublin. Such a pity communism failed.
evan
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Jan 27 10 16:30
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im not suggesting it either tommy but have you driven in kells lately? theres potholes all over the place and the paths are covered with dog crap, gum and general litter. the races are one weekend, and whatever retailers take then, thats it. The general kells public have to put up with **** poor services all year round and the excuse they get from the council is lack of funds! Council budgets are given from central government through the taxpayers and my point was that they gave money to something that they couldnt afford to keep the retailers in kells happy because they are being charged a small fortune in rates. Prioritise, people!!!!
evan
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Jan 27 10 16:38
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besides tommy, if they gave the free parking in kells for 10 saturdays throughout the year it would more than recoup the 900- 1200 euro the council takes in parking fees for the day, but they dont seem to understand basic economics, and these are the people who run this town?
sandra
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Jan 27 10 17:44
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Evan i dont get your last point.
Surely if the car parking was free in Kells for 10 Saturdays, then the councils income would be down around €10,000?
evan
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Jan 28 10 16:32
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sorry sandra, my first post was about the 10,000 euro given to the races. My point was that instead of giving the races that money, why not let the council keep it in lieu of parking fees for the 10 weekends? it would generate a hell of a lot more money that one race weekend, would it not?
Don
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Jan 30 10 12:26
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Charge all you want for parking but you won't get it off me. I'll use the money I would have spent on parking in Kells 2-3 times a week and put it towards Petrol for a run up to Enniskillen once a week!
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