Galway Bay FM News Archives
Council writes off €4.6 million in unpaid rates
Date Published: 14-Apr-2011
BY FRANK FARRAGHER
Galway City Council managed to ‘stay out of the red’ last year despite a major difficulty in collecting revenue – the books were balanced mainly by cutting payroll costs and reducing expenditure in services.
However, the financial downturn continues to bite deeply into the City Council’s budget with a ‘significant write-off’ of rates (€4.6m) as businesses continue to ‘go bust’, according to the City Council’s Annual Financial Statement for 2010. There are also additional rates arrears of €14.5m.
The recession has also hit hard at one of the big earners in the good times – the city’s network of pay and display carparks – with a major drop in the number of cars entering the city centre. With total expenditure of €84.8m, as well as a transfer of €4.8m into reserves, the City Council still recorded a net surplus of over €458,000 for 2010.
“The 2010 results reflect the successful efforts to reduce expenditure further while endeavouring to maintain essential services at acceptable levels and ensure compliance in an increased regulatory environment,” the City Council’s Financial Review states.
The financial downturn is also hitting the income levels of the Council’s two main leisure outlets – Leisureland and the Town Hall Theatre – while income from planning fees and fire safety certificates was also well down.
Despite having written off €4.6m in rates payments for 2010, there is a further €14.5m in rates to be collected in arrears – the total amount of rates collected last year was €25.5m.
The next biggest arrears heading is in commercial water charges totalling €3.16m, with €1.85m owed in rents and annuities as well as €1.2m still due in domestic refuse charges. There is a €430,000 deficit in housing loans.
For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
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