BY CJ MCGINLEY

A LETTERKENNY councillor has called for a commercial rates freeze over the next three years for hard pressed businesses.

Councillor Dessie Larkin, said the freeze was necessary in light of the continuing economic downturn and to protect and sustain jobs in shops and businesses around Letterkenny. Commercial rates bring in over ¤5.2million per year in vital revenue for the council to provide key services in areas such as roads, sanitary services, recreational-amenity and housing. It represents over 60 per cent of the council's annual income.

Budgets

Speaking to the Donegal News, Councillor Larkin, said the three year freeze would allow business to plan their budgets accordingly to plan for the future.

"Businesses in Letterkenny are finding it tough and we, as a council, cannot be inflicting further hardship on them by increasing commercial rates at this time," he said.

"They're finding it difficult and also we're trying to remain competitive and compete with places like Derry and Strabane. Before the last local elections the Fianna Fáil party manifesto advocated a rates freeze for three years. This was endorsed by the Taoiseach and made provision for councils where Fianna Fáil had power to allow for this three year rates freeze," he said.

Councillor Larkin will table his motion for the rates freeze on Monday night at a meeting of Letterkenny Town Council.

He stressed the County Manager, Mr Michael McLoone, would have to come up with alternative proposals to make up the shortfall.

"Over the years we've always gone after the commercial rates payers but now the Manager must come up with imaginative proposals to meet the shortfall. We have to keep front line services but other areas may need to be cut back," Councillor Larkin said.

For more see the Donegal News online pdf editions