Letterkenny Town Council has been told that the provisions of the Local Government Bill as it pertains to rates will cost jobs in the town, and act as another nail in the coffin of the Main Street.
Cllr Dessie Larkin told members that under the bill, the owners of vacant premises will be forced to pay full rates and may then claim half of the money back.
Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh suggested the move might act as an incentive to have premises rented out and promote new start ups. However, that perspective was reject by other members. Several members argued that rates should be based on turnover and profit, rather than a one size fits all basis of square footage. Concern was also expressed that a standard county wide rate would see costs in Letterkenny rise.
Cllr Larkin says the whole rates system is Cromwellian, and needs to be comprehensively overhauled…………
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