Council’s ‘expansionary’ budget is welcomed

CONTENTIOUS parking charges are being reduced in Dun Laoghaire as part of the council’s 2014 budget that was adopted last week.

The parking issue that has been a political hot potato in recent years was just one aspect of the budget that was described as the first expansionary budget since 2009, after four difficult years.

“This innovative and expansionary council budget shows austerity is drawing to an end,

? said Cllr Richard Humphreys, the leader of the Labour group on the council.

“This budget is a real breakthrough from the era of austerity. It has a lot of good news and is a budget the council can be proud of.

“It maintains council services to citizens and avoids any new local charges – indeed charges are being reduced in a number of areas particularly parking – with a 50c reduction in hourly rates.

“There are innovative new supports for business,

? Cllr Humphreys added.

“The Business Support Grant is being restored, and an Occupation Incentive Scheme and a Shop Front Grant Scheme are being introduced.

“Commercial rates are frozen, coming on top of a two per cent reduction last year and further reductions over recent years.

“In addition the budget supports communities, with new funds for community grants, libraries, heritage and other areas.

?

The highlights of the Budget include no cuts in services, no increase in rates or social housing rents and on-street parking charges reduced from e2 to e1.50 per hour.

A total of

?¬100,000 will be made available for Business Support Grants;

?¬100,000 for an Occupation Incentive Scheme for Vacant Commercial Property;

?¬50,000 for a Shop-front Grant Scheme for existing businesses; and

?¬120,00 for tourism initiatives.

A new Safe Home Pilot Project for victims of domestic abuse is to be established, while there will be provisions for the new Blackrock Library and Dún Laoghaire Library.