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Pictured at Scoil Phadraic na Cailini, Donabate are 1st class pupils, Zoe Hand, Kenzie O'Dowd, Laura Ilieva and Saoirse Lindberg, who took part in a Science Day at the school last Thursday, as part of National Science Week A registered newspaper at the G.P.O.
10th November 2015 • Volume 22, Issue 39 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. EirCode: K67 P5W4. • Tel: 01 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie • www.northcountyleader.ie
Charity Hero of the Year nominee, Matt Cullen (right) is pictured with Chairperson of Swords Tidy Towns, Ken Duffy at the sign outside Swords Garda Station, which Matt enhanced with his painting skills
Swords Man Nominated For Top Award Swords resident, Matt Cullen has been nominated for The 2015 Charity Hero Award (in association with the Volunteer Ireland Awards). This prestigious award is a lifetime achievement award honouring a volunteer who has over the course of their life made an extraordinary contribution to a good cause.
By Patrick Finnegan This award represents a unique collaboration between the volunteer Ireland awards and the better together campaign. It aims to shine a light on those remarkable individuals who, year after year, dedicate their time and energy to supporting a community and voluntary organisation, club or association. For 10 years, Matt has been an invaluable member of the Tidy Towns team in Swords. always going above and beyond what is expected of him. He approaches all of his tasks with a positive attitude. Matt’s charm and spirit has been instrumental, not only to the success of Tidy Towns, but also in attracting new members to join in. Matt makes sure to include all members of the community in Tidy Towns, breaking down the language barrier with foreign nationals and involving children in the
planting of flowerbeds. Five year ago, Matt was diagnosed with the life-debilitating condition idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. However, this has failed to dampen his volunteering spirit and he continues to volunteer on even the most strenuous project. Niamh Tracey of Swords Tidy Towns, who nominated Matt for a Volunteer Ireland Award said “Matt shows the way to a better Swords - his concern for the wellbeing of other members and the improvement of Swords village demonstrated by what he does and how he does it: patient, determined, bright, listening, laughing. No matter how painstaking the task, no matter how many times graffiti has been washed off this wall or trolleys extracted from this river and in all weathers, Matt is always positive. Ready with a smile and a joke, encouraging new members and old, making difficult jobs easier with his knowledge, and tedious jobs fun with his enthusiasm,” she said. “People of Swords have a chance to vote for Matt by visiting the link http://2015.bettertogether.ie/ch arity-hero/matt-cullen. You can vote once a day up until the deadline on the 4th December,” said Niamh.
Council Budget To Bring Relief To Residents Fingal Council Management Team to freeze Commercial Rates for a fourth year in a row is another very important step in the economic recovery of the region. Fingal Dublin Chamber welcomes this decision, which will continue to support the many businesses that are still experiencing a €2.4 million and reduces the charge which The budget of €214 million will see the slow recovery in trading. The Chamber is was due to be paid by property owners in Council forego increased tax revenues of also delighted with the other economic the County by €5.6m. up to €5.6m. Businesses are also set to development decisions which will increase The Annual Rate of Valuation, which benefit, as the Council has once again capital investment throughout the area in decides the level of Commercial Rates paid chosen to freeze the level of Commercial the period ahead,” he said. by business, has also been frozen by the rates. The Council also confirmed that they The agreed budget of €214m will fund a Council – the fourth year in a row this has will balance the books in 2015. broad and diverse range of services for happened. The business community has The improvement in the economy and in people across the North County. The seen its contribution reduced by €105 particular, the strength of commercial Council has identified housing, community development in Fingal has facilitated a million in the period 2010 - 2015. development and economic development budget of €214 million, which should Reducing the burden on business helps as the key budgetary priorities for the promote Fingal as a centre for investment provide for an increase in services, while coming year. and promotes job creation. Considerable reducing the tax burden on citizens. The Housing and Building will be the largest progress has been made in terms of revised budget for 2015 indicates expendicomponent of the budget, with payment of Commercial Rates and Fingal ture in the current year of €212 million. €50,334,700 being allocated. Road now has the highest compliance rate in the The decision by councillors to reduce the Transport / Safety comes next with a country at 92 per cent. basic rate of LPT will ensure that property budget of €25,093,000 In welcoming the decision to freeze the owners do not face significant increases in County Council Chief Executive, Paul Reid commercial rate, CEO of Fingal Dublin their 2016 bills - charges will in effect be welcomed the agreement of the budget Chamber, Tony Lambert said, “The decifrozen at 2015 levels. This leaves Council when he said, “Fingal County Council sion by our elected representatives and the discretionary LPT income at approximately provides a wide range of services for the people of the County, including Housing, Community Development, Tourism, Economic Development, Sports and Cultural events. Passing our annual budget and agreeing our spending priorities is critical to serving the people of the County. ”Like all local authorities, Fingal County Council is substantially funded by the revenue it generates through Commercial Rates, fees and charges, together with Local Property Tax income and various other grants. The Council is committed to delivering value for money and also to increasing awareness among the people of the area, as to how their Local Property Tax and Commercial Rates contributions are re - invested in the County, Pictured at the official opening of the Donabate Portrane All Weather Pitch in Donabate on Thursday last are, Dr with Budget 2016 one of the most James Reilly, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Pat Lavelle CEO, Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and strongly supported budgets of Training Board ETB, County Mayor, Cllr David O Connor and Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, Paul Reid. See story on page 5 recent years.”
There was good new for Fingal County Council Chief Executive, Paul Reid with the smooth passage of the Council’s Budget 2016, which was passed by a large majority of the elected members on 3rd November last. In the process, they voted to reduce the basic rate of Local Property Tax (LPT) by 15 per cent, which will be welcomed by most home owners in the county.
All Weather Pitch Opens