Cllr John Clendennen committed to supporting SME's

COUNCILLOR John Clendennen has reaffirmed his support for the small and medium enterprise sector and believes the recent steps taken by the Minister for Enterprise Minister, Peter Burke, will assist and protect SME's.

Minister Burke has outlined his plans for the sector which include, ensuring everyone who wants a job can get one, the rigorous implementation of an enhanced SME test at national level to ensure any major new policies do not have an adverse impact on business, ensure that the range of planned reforms, such as auto enrolment and the living wage, are sequenced fairly and in such a way that is affordable for viable businesses.

The midlands based Minister has also committed to enhancing the role of Local Enterprise Offices, ensuring companies that grow beyond 10 employees continue to be supported and have access to State loans, grants and vouchers, support the continued waiver of street furniture licence fees for tables and chairs associated with outdoor dining. reform commercial rates, enhancing fairness and transparency, whilst working with local authorities to consider how our commercial rates system can facilitate new start-up businesses and discourage vacant units, improve transparency in regard to how commercial rates are spent, and include housing, public lighting, fire services, the promotion of local economic development, roads, traffic, leisure and community services. Small business owners need to know more.

“As a small business owner, I am acutely aware of the challenges faced in business, particularly the increased costs associated with doing business. The recent support announced by the government has been a help, but only 54% or 928 businesses based in Offaly applied for the recent ICOB Grant and I would encourage every business to register before May 29th and avail of this financial support scheme,” stated Cllr Clendennen.

“It is also important that Offaly County Council remain fully aware of the challenges faced by small business and commit to ensuring that we protect the thriving retail trade in towns like Birr, whilst introducing initiatives to ensure there is an appealing proposition for investment and development in retail in every viable village by reducing barriers to entry and commercial rate waivers on new start-ups in vacant premises, as this will be truly transformational”, concluded Cllr Clendennen.