VAT means cost of long-stay parking goes up

The cost of long-stay parking in public car parks in Kells is to rise from €2.70 to €3.20 from next Thursday, 1st July, as new regulations which insist local authorities charge VAT for off-street parking come into force. Parking on the streets of the town and short-term parking in local municipal car parks will not be affected. At a meeting of Kells Town Council last week, councillors heard the town's off-street car parks would now be liable for 21 per cent VAT. The car parks affected include the Fair Green, the schools' car park, the church car park, the facility at the rear of the town hall and the library car park. Town clerk Jarlath Flanagan explained that while VAT was also payable on short-term parking in the car parks, the council would absorb that cost for now. He also pointed out that the price increases didn't cover the full amount of VAT due. He said parking machines would have to be changed to reflect the new charges and to itemise the VAT payable on receipts. Councillors expressed disappointment at the increases. Cllr Bryan Reilly said it was another additional cost on shoppers coming into Kells, but there was nothing that could be done about it. Cllr Tommy Grimes expressed concern about the loss of revenue to the council and the effect it would have over the year. Cllr Brian Collins warned that, at Christmas, with Blancharrstown now only a short distance away via the new motorway, shoppers would not pay €3.20 to shop in Kells. A spokesperson for Meath County Council said all local authorities would be increasing their off-street parking charges in the coming weeks.