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22nd September 2015 • Volume 22, Issue 33 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. EirCode: K67 P5W4. • Tel: 01 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie • www.northcountyleader.ie
Cool Response To Fianna Fáil Proposals Fianna Fáil have published plans aimed at revitalising village and town centres across the North County. This comes hot on the heels of party leader, Micheál Martin meeting with Dublin Chamber last week.
lords from leaving units vacant or rendering them unrentable. The measures are aimed at supporting local businesses to allow them to compete with large out-of-town shopping centres, and encouraging people to shop and socialise in local villages. By Patrick Finnegan The County Leader spoke to some of the stakeThe proposals, with which local senator, Darragh holders, including the County Council and local O’Brien is in full agreement, include radical chambers of commerce to find out if the plan steps to boost economic and social activity in was viable. towns and villages like Malahide, Swords, The County Council appeared to slam the door Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush and Lusk. firmly on the Fianna Fail proposal in relaThey include reducing commercial rates tion to rates. A spokesperson said, “The for new village based businesses and Members have a reserved function under those in key areas, and a commercial the LG Reform Act 2014 to decide on the rates surcharge of 15 per cent on out-oflevel of rates refunds that apply to town shopping centres. commercial rated properties that are “This surcharge at out-of-town centres is vacant. At present, a 100 per cent refund not about parking - it’s a commercial Senator O’Brien applies if the standard conditions are rates charge on the development itself. met (vacant when rate is made, available This will help to level the playing field where for letting etc.). A 50 per cent refund applies for competition is concerned. So there is no impact example in the city and balance of rates are on customers,” claimed O’Brien. payable, if properties are vacant.” They also propose a 90 minutes free parking in The statement continued, “Rates are assessed local villages and disincentives to prevent land- on the basis of the valuation of properties as
Pictured at the “Up For The Match” celebrations at St. Finian’s GAA club ahead of last weekend’s All Ireland Final between Dublin and Kerry were at Liam O'Shea, Jason Carey, Ciara Gorman, Doireann McManus and Daniel Foster. See picture special on page 18
determined by the Commissioner of Valuation and on the “rate” as determined by the Members at the Annual Budget Meeting. It should be noted that only one rate for the County can be made. Both issues, including that of free parking, will form part of the budgetary process. The Annual Budget Meeting is scheduled for the 3rd November.’ CEO of Fingal Dublin Chamber, Tony Lambert was less than enthusiastic about the proposals, He said, “Now that we are starting to see increased activity in our area, the County Council should encourage this further by ensuring that there are no increased charges for businesses. We need to encourage businesses to create more jobs and this cannot be done if there are increased overheads. Let us build on the growth that’s happening and encourage local people to eat and shop locally,” he said. President of Skerries Chamber, Martin Scully said, ”As regards rates, we have been looking for
Portrane Man Is Top Scout
Christy McCann
Local Scout leader, Christy McCann was elected Chief Scout of Scouting Ireland at an general meeting of Scouting Ireland in the RDS last weekend. Almost one thousand delegates attended the National Council, a large proportion of whom were Youth delegates. Upon his election, Christy was invested as Chief Scout by outgoing Chief Scout Michael John Shinnick, by reaffirming his Scout Promise along with all the delegates present. Christy McCann who lives in Portrane, has been a lifelong member of the Scout Movement with over forty years working with young people and is associated with 46th Dublin Trinity Scout Group in Donaghmede. In the past
he has held numerous offices in The Scout Association of Ireland as District Commissioner and National Commissioner Scouts. Since the formation of Scouting Ireland in 2004, Christy has been Provincial Commissioner in the North Eastern Province of Scouting Ireland, Camp Chief of the National Jamboree held in Punchestown in 2008 and more recently as International Commissioner of Scouting Ireland and has represented the Association at many functions abroad, including the recent World Scout Jamboree in Japan. The new Chief Scout takes the helm at Scouting Ireland, the country’s largest youth organisation with over 50,000 youth
members and 12,000 adult volunteers at an extremely challenging stage in its development. Apart from the day to day running of the organisation he will oversee the Governance project to ensure the organisation is fully compliant with the New Charities Act along with new lobbying legislation which will require his attention. Scouting Ireland is also committed to running a National Jamboree in Ireland in 2018 and to sending a substantial national contingent to the World Scout jamboree in Virginia USA in 2019. And as if that was not enough, Ireland is committed to hosting the World Rover Scout Moot 2021. So, it looks like he has quite a large job ahead of him.
a reduction for years, and I agree with it. However, I am not in favour of putting a surcharge on other businesses, just because they happen to be located in a shopping centre. Rates are high enough, without raising them even further,” he said. Scully agreed that 90 minutes free parking is a good idea, which is ample time to get shopping done. Continued on page 21