Retention of 10% Local Property Tax reduction crucial to maintaining Council services

The Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, says the decision of councillors at this month’s Council meeting to retain a 10 per cent reduction in the Local Property Tax for 2021 is crucial to maintaining Council services next year.

The elected members in Fingal voted by 30 votes to seven, with one abstention, to accept a motion to retain the 10 per cent reduction. Councillors have the option each year to make an adjustment in the Local Property Tax of up to 15 per cent. The vote means that Local Property Tax bills in Fingal will remain unchanged for a fourth successive year

Fingal County Council will invest the €2m now available as a result of the decision in local communities across a range of different services and the Chief Executive said this sum is vital given the pressure on Council budgets.

Ms Farrelly said: “The decision of the elected members to retain the 10 per cent reduction is required to maintain services next year. As we are now facing difficult budgetary challenges because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As in the previous three years, this decision will yield €2m in funding which will be ring-fenced for a range of services for important areas such as housing, parks and open spaces, operations, community and libraries.

“The Council’s Management Team will continue to work closely with the Corporate Policy Group and the various political parties to agree the 2021 Budget. Our key objective is to ensure our operational services are maintained. There is no doubt that having an additional €2m a year to spend since 2018 has made a difference across the county and I would like to thank our Elected Members for their continued support.”

The discussion on the Local Property Tax at the September monthly meeting can be viewed at www.fingal.ie.