Youghal Warned Of Austerity In 2009
By Christy Parker
Youghal Town Council has been told it is “pointless” raising issues that require funding throughout 2009 as there will not be enough money to implement them. Town Clerk Liam Ryan made the grim warning at the October Town Council meeting as he advised that only items included in next December’s 2009 budget can be delivered. Mr. Ryan was breaking with usual procedure in reading his monthly report aloud. It was that serious.
Elaborating on severe budgetary cutbacks and knock-on repercussions, Mr. Ryan said a payroll reduction of 3%, as requested by the government, meant curtailing or suspending staff recruitment. Response and maintenance programmes will be affected as three seasonal workers will be lost next summer along with the non-replacement of other staff, “for whatever reason.”
He said Public Lighting (15% increase to €135,000) and other energy related areas, like Council Insurance (estimated €262,000), are also threatened. Income prospects are also in depressing decline, including rental income and Planning Application fees. Development Contributions for the 2009 Budget stand at €110,00 -down from €659,000 for 2008. Furthermore there is a 5-10% drop in Local Government Funding from central government.
As the harsh reality impinges on an election year, when councillors’ survival instinct kicks in and sensitivity and even sense itself goes on vacation, Mr. Ryan called for “brave, collective decisions.” Differences would need setting aside, he said, as the council strived to protect local jobs “by maintaining our charges at realistic and manageable levels.”
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