An Aontú Cllr has played a pivotal role in blocking an 8% hike on commercial rates on Cork’s beleaguered businesses.
Cork County Council has today (9th Nov) failed to agree its budget for the coming year and is instead to write to the Government seeking funding.
It is believed to be the first time in decades that the adoption of the proposed budget fell
It had proposed raising Commercial Rates by a substantial 8%.
However, Aontú Cllr Peter O’Donoghue issued a counter proposal saying he wanted the local authority to try and draw down funding from central government saying the government had money for everyone from Zelensky to the person providing IPAS accommodation who was laughing all the way to the bank, while hard working small businesses were expected to shoulder a shocking rise of 8% at a time when they are struggling just to keep the doors open.
He says
“I couldn’t believe that commercial rates were set to be jacked up by 8%. It defies common sense, it defies logic. We simply cannot have another hike on tax on small businesses who are already struggling.
They simply can’t cope.
They are falling under the weight of costs that are only going one way, through the roof.
We have the most expensive energy costs in Europe; this is driving up costs across the board the costs of operating businesses is just too high.
Consumers are under inordinate pressure, and this is having a knock-on effect on businesses who are already fighting for their very survival.
Imposing an 8% increase on commercial rates is bonkers”
If businesses go out of business that is a loss for them , for their communities and for the exchequer.
We need to use common sense around this.
Imposing additional unsustainable costs on businesses that are already just hanging on by their fingertip is not good commercial sense.
Central Government has the money and I believe it should stump up”
The local authority is to write to the Government seeking an 8% increase in funding instead
The meeting of Cork Co Co is rescheduled for this Wednesday (11th November ) .
If the budget fails to pass in two weeks’ time the Council will be dissolved.
