€70,000 fund to compensate for 2.6% rates rise

Navan Town Council has set aside a fund of €70,000 to be spent on business innovation in the town to compensate local traders for the 2.6 per cent increase in rates, which was adopted at last week's budget meeting. The increase in rates, which is compulsory because of the recent boundary extension, will bring in €70,000 a year, so local councillors agreed to allocate a similar sum to a project that would benefit the town's traders. They shaved small sums from various programmes, which had been set out by the area manager in the draft budget, to come up with the €70,000. The Mayor, Cllr Phil Brennan, acknowledged that it was a difficult time for the businesspeople of Navan. He said that, despite having made representations to the Department of the Environment, the council had no choice but to bring in a rates increase. However, in recognition of this, he proposed setting aside an innovation fund of €70,000 for local business. The mayor outlined where savings could be made in order to come up with the €70,000 and these included reducing the amount to be spent at a playground in Cllr Andy Brennan Park from €30,000 to €20,000, reducing the tourism promotion budget by €10,000 and reducingg the sum allocated for CCTV by €2,000, as well as savings on a number of other programmes. The proposal was seconded by Cllr Joe Reilly, who pointed out that it was a very difficult time for all outlets trying to do business. He said the 2.6 per cent increase was equivalent to €70,000 and urged his fellow councillors to put a package together and invest it in the town, particularly so that those who didn't gain from the recent improvement works in the town would benefit. He said he believed they had done some good over Christmas encouraging people to stay local and spend local. Cllr Peadar Toibín said this year's budget would continue a change which happened last year where the council engaged with the business community. “This is a step towards Navan leading the way and buttressing the business community as it faces one of the biggest recessions we have ever seen,†he said. “I am looking forward to sitting round the table with the business people to formulate a plan,†he added. Cllr Anton McCabe said the investment of €70,000 in the business community will help generate employment in Navan. Cllr Jim Holloway welcomed the investment in business and pointed out that, last year, traders had been dealt a blow because of the increase in parking charges. He looked forward to having as big an input as possible into promoting the town and branding it. Cllr Shane Cassells commented that significant work had been carried out during the year, including the roads programme, and he paid tribute to the work done on Market Square and Watergate Street. However, he was critical of the parking charge increase brought in last year and pointed out that Fianna Fail had proposed a balanced budget at that time, which would not have involved any parking increases. Cllr Francis Deane claimed there had been 11 closures in Trimgate Street and said the directive (on the rates increase) from the minister would cause a lot of pain. He looked forward to the investment in the town. Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons said last year's budget had been deplorable because of the increased parking charges and cut in street cleaning. He expressed concern at the proposal to take €10,000 off the allocation for a playground and at proposals to reduce the amount set aside for town twinning and the other cuts proposed by the other councillors. Cllr Suzanne Jamal said her only concern was what impact the cut in funding for the playground would have. Navan Town Council's budget for the year is expected to see a spend of €9,013,655, which will include €220,000 for the improvement of housing stock. The council's grant from the Department of Finance of €483,948 is down €67,687 on the previous year. A sum of €45,000 will be allocated for the upkeep of the resource centre at Windtown and €20,000 will go towards maintenance of the mini-pitch and footpath enhancements there. Area manager Eugene Cummins said that, in formulating the budget, he was very conscious of the pressures and anxieties being faced by the business community in their efforts to maintain their livelihoods and, at the same time, working together to preserve the trading viability of the town. He said he was anxious to maintain and enhance Navan's competitive environment and for the town to be able to compete with its neighbours in other counties.