Tipperary County Council adopt largest ever budget

Tipperary County Council has adopted the largest budget in its history.

At a meeting on Friday, elected members adopted the budget, which will fund all sections of the council to the tune of €234,153,880.

Chief Executive Joe MacGrath said the budget is ‘equitable and supportive’ and is reflective of the growing role of the Local Authority in communities across the Premier County.

“The range and breadth of services provided by the Local Authority has expanded over the years.

Tipperary County Council’s remit as a service provider extends beyond the traditional services to include expansive roles in areas such as active travel, support to refugees and asylum seekers, economic development, job creation and community support,” said Mr MacGrath.

He said that the council faces financial challenges from inflation, cost escalation and is reliant on government grants.

However, he also said that Tipperary County Council has an ‘ambitious’ three-year capital programme, and intends to invest in rural communities, towns and villages.

Over the next three years, the council intends to invest €600 million in capital projects funded by grants, loans, levies and its own resources.

There will be no increase in charges across the county.

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

The largest budget allocation went to roads, transport and safety (26%), followed by environmental services (22%) and housing and building (21%).

Housing was allocated €47,811,603, roads, €60,638,999, water services €14,930, development €23,356,907, environmental services €52,473,153, recreation and amenities, €15,841,198 and agriculture, food and marine, €2,012,720.

The top three income sources for the council were grants and subsidies at 51% followed by goods and services (16.4%) and commercial rates (15.6%).

Tipperary County Council received the largest Local Property Tax (LPT) baseline allocation in the country, coming to a total of €28,556,840.

This was due to the increase in Local Property Tax approved in September last year.

GMA funding was granted to the tune of €953,680 to the five municipal districts. Tipperary, Cahir and Cashel were allocated the most at €252,915 followed by Nenagh (€232,202), Thurles (€211,815), Clonmel (€142,023) and Carrick-on-Suir (€114,689).

GMA funding is discretionary funding to be spent by districts.

‘AUSTERITY BUDGET’

Following the adoption of the budget, Clonmel councillor Pat English sought to reopen the discussion.

He read aloud a statement in which he called the budget an ‘austerity budget’ that would not meet the needs of those who relied on the council’s services.