A deficit of €3.8 million in roads grants for 2009 has left Westmeath County Council with no choice but to postpone certain projects and cut costs in other areas.
The original allocations to the county’s Roadworks Programme were made earlier this year; however the grants were reduced by 21 per cent, or €3.8 million, in the revised budget last month.
Although the council will not be able to retrieve the full amount by implementing cuts in other areas, it is expected that 5 per cent savings can be made across other areas.
“Obviously we can’t make up the €3.8 million. But we have made significant progress in road maintenance, and we should make every effort to keep roads progress in place. We intend to achieve 5 per cent savings across other areas to put back into the roads programme,” county manager Dan McLoughlin told councillors at Monday’s meeting.
“If the current trends are sustained, we will reach the end of the year in no worse a position than we started, albeit with reduced services.”
Mr McLoughlin explained that the retention of jobs was a priority, and that 551 people remained in employment with the council.
In other areas, planning fees have been slow to pick up this year, with just €80,000 received so far of the budgeted €350,000.
Income from bin tags has fallen by 12 per cent, due in part to decreased consumption and also to increased competition from private companies.
As a result of the shortfalls, the planned town and village renewal programmes are being postponed indefinitely, which will allow €615,000 to be allocated to the Roadworks Programme.
The council is also examining ways to ensure they receive charges from the business sector on time. “The business and retail sector is having a difficult time. We will be discussing ways for businesses to repay water charges arrears, and introducing incentives to ensure early payment,” said Mr McLoughlin.
The discussion on the budget was linked with a notice of motion from Cllr Mark Cooney, who wished to be advised on the impact of the national budget on the spending power of the council.
“I accept the council is doing its level best to provide a service, but my biggest concern is that we are dependent for funding on central government,” he said.
“I am concerned, given the amounts which were allocated and then reduced, about what is going to happen later in the year and after June.”
Cllr Jim Bourke, however, was optimistic; “Running costs and diesel and building costs are down, so with new costings surely we should be able to give as good a service as ever?”
Cllr Kieran Molloy, too, said he had feared the county manager’s report would be worse.
