The Biggest Circulation Of ANY North County Newspaper The
NEED A TAXI? “My Parents know I’ll get home safe”
ONLY Local Newspaper with the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Certification
We Deliver We deliver A registered newspaper at the G.P.O.
Your Quality Local Newspaper
4th April 2012 • Volume 19, Issue 12 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • ISDN 8139966 • Tel: 8•400•200
Double Hit For Residents Of Managed Estates The new controversial Household Tax of €100, will not, it seems, bring any respite to residents who already pay management fees for the upkeep of their estates, even when the proposed full property tax is in place. The County Leader sought clarification from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, resulting from a number of queries from people who already pay maintenance fees to private management companies. Many residents asked whether the local authority, who are the beneficiaries of this new tax, will now take over the maintenance of these estates. These residents are already paying hefty management fees, and feel that this equates to paying on the double. In an effort to throw some light on the subject, the County Leader contacted a spokesperson for the Department and was informed in no uncertain terms that “all must pay and that the local authorities will not assume the role of estate maintenance and that they will not be operating within the gates of estates managed by private companies.” Private management companies came into existence during the height of the Celtic Tiger, when money and extra fees were not an issue. Unfortunately, many houses built during this period are now deep in negative equity, and many regard these fees as excessive and unwelcome. When the situation facing these newer estates is compared with that of longer established estates, the inequality becomes apparent. Residents of older estates do not pay management companies to cut grass, repair street lighting, pick litter or sweep streets. This is done for them by the local authority and is covered by the new household charge. The real question is, why pay for grass cutting and other services, which are normally provided by the local authority, to both the council and the management companies, when, in fact, only one will be providing the service.? The County Leader paid a visit to Chapel Farm in Lusk, a housing estate where management fees were in operation until recently when the company folded. Residents, Brenda McColgan and Cathy Burkquest confirmed that residents now have to cut the grass and clear all of the litter them-
By Patrick Finnegan selves. “We pick up the litter in our estate, and have nowhere to put it, except in our own private bins. Where do we put our own rubbish?. It costs €8 per bin tag. It’s dear enough without having to incur this extra cost. It just isn’t fair. We have to chip in and pay for lawnmowers etc. This happens all around the estate,” said Brenda. The sight and sound of the local authority cutting grass and sweeping the streets of neighbouring estates is particularly galling for residents of managed estates. “We feel that the household charge will never benefit us,” said an exasperated Brenda. Both residents also confirmed that since the management firm closed down, the playground has remained closed, and the children are forced to play on the road. They feel that their plight will not be improved, despite having paid over their household charges or the full property tax. The department spokesperson rejected the notion that the local authority will replace maintenance companies, and that the status quo would prevail. He said, “Revenues from the household charge will support the provision of local services throughout local councils’ operational areas. These local services are administered by the council and financed by local service charges. Local authorities are responsible for, among other services, fire and emergency services, maintenance and cleaning of streets, street lighting, planning and development services, public parks, libraries, open spaces and leisure facilities, etc. These are essential local services which benefit all members of the public, including business.” Meanwhile, local TD and anti-household charge activist, Clare Daly was furious when she told the County Leader, “it is a real scam that management companies were set up. They provide a minimum service for residents, with only grass cutting carried out in most cases. Residents are being forced to pay, not on the double, but on the treble. They have already paid for a development levy in the price of their houses. Then there’s the management fee and now, the household charge. It’s money for nothing,” she said.
Pictured at the Open Day for Fumbally Exchange at Railway Street in Balbriggan last Thursday, 29th March are landlord, Gerry Andrews, Fumbally Exchange founder, George Boyle, Cathaoirleach of Balbriggan Town Council, Grainne Maguire, President of Balbriggan Chamber of Commerce, Kevin Tolan and facilitator, Sean Corrigan. See report on page 4
Jonathan Butler, Daniel Boyle, Amy Ryan Harmon and Emer Green from St. Oliver Plunketts, Malahide are pictured at the Fingal Student Enterprise awards.
Band of Brothers. Dublin GAA stars, Bernard and Alan Brogan are pictured at the launch of the Dublin GAA Easter Egg at JC's in Swords recently. They are pictured with Michael, Robert and Niall Savage of JC's. See story on page 8