Council staff levels fall by almost 30 per cent

STAFF levels in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council have dropped by almost 30 per cent over the past 11 years, according to figures in this year’s draft budget.

Figures contained in the budget, due to be put before councillors on Tuesday (November 4), show there are now 973 employees compared to 1,416 in 2003.

The reductions are due to a combination of outsourcing services and a public sector moratorium on hiring staff introduced in 2009, which was partially lifted in last month’s budget.

The cost of the council payroll has fallen by almost 21 per cent since the moratorium began.
Council officials estimate that over

?¬51 million will be collected from the local property tax this year, with 80 per cent of the figure being retained locally.

Councillors voted to apply the maximum reduction of 15 per cent to the basic rate of LPT this year, meaning the bill for locals will be less than last year.
This year’s budget is the first in several years that can factor in potential economic growth and a new council Strategic Policy Committee on Economic Development will be developed for 2015.

One measure included in the draft budget designed to stimulate business is a proposal to cut commercial Rates by two per cent.
Councillor Victor Boyhan (Ind) said any measure that reduces costs for business has to be welcomed.

“Our Chief Executive is committed to supporting business across the county,

? he said.

“With that in mind, she has recommended a rate reduction of two per cent for 2015, subject to adaptation by a majority vote of the councillors.

?

Commercial rates income for next year is estimated at

?¬82.1 million. Cllr Boyhan said that the two per cent rates reduction would cost the council

?¬1.6 million.

“Businesses in the county are struggling and it’s incumbent on local councillors and the executive to help them,

? he added.

Cllr Boyhan acknowledged a two per cent reduction in the rates would be a disappointment to some business groups in the county who had sought a 15 per cent reduction in line with the Local Property Tax reduction.

“I think this demand was unrealistic at this time,

? he said.

“The Rate Payers Association has indicated that they would like to see a three year plan in place to see a phased reduction in rates over that period.

“I would call on the council to sit down in the coming weeks to explore their realistic proposals.

?