Waterford City and County Councillors voted for the executive’s draft budget, 30 For, 2 Against, on November 26 last. This piece will provide a balanced overview of the relevant details.
Their decision to approve a 3.5% commercial rate increase has proved controversial. There is also a substantial investment package into housing, roads, and public services. This piece will provide a balanced overview of what Councillors voted for.
Chief Executive
The Council Chief Executive, Seán McKeown, outlined his perspective on the budget, which he recommended, saying: “This is the second budget of the current Council term. The budget reflects both the strong momentum Waterford in experiencing right now, and our shared objective to keep that momentum going”.
“As is the case every year, adopting the annual budget is the biggest decision the elected members will make,” he said.
“It is shaped by our shared ambition as set out in our corporate plan for Waterford to be the best place in Ireland to live, to visit, to do business in and to invest. We are delivering on that ambition.
“Waterford is one of the fastest growing counties in the country,” continued Chief Executive McKeown, “We have been ranked as one of the best places to live in the latest liveability index published last august which highlighted our housing affordability, the unique balance proffered in terms of our outstanding natural assets and beauty, employment opportunities, excellent connectivity and easy access to services and facilities.
“These factors are critical for our inward investment and quality of life credentials and the services that this council provides make a significant contribution to the liveability index,” Mr. McKeown added.
Key figures
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€207 million to be spent and invested in Waterford City and County
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€14 million increase on 2025
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3.5% increase in commercial rates tax
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€4 million extra in housing grants and maintenance
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€4.5 million extra in road maintenance and improvements
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€400,000 extra for street cleaning, parks, pitches and open spaces
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€900,000 extra for economic development
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€80,000 extra for the Arts programme
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€97 million received in government grants (44% of all income)
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25% of Council income comes from goods and services (rents, parking, etc.)
Negatives
Following Chief Executive, McKeown’s endorsement and overview of the Council’s investment package, some Councillors highlighted areas where they feel the budget was unfair.
The increase of commercial rates by 3.5% proved to be controversial as City retailers feel the decision adds to significant forces making it difficult to sustain their business.
As reported in The Munster Express on 3 December, 2024, the budget raised commercial rates by 3% for 2025. This means that this Council has raised commercial rates for both budgets in the current Council term.
Councillors Mary Roche and David Daniels were the two Councillors who voted against the budget. Social Democrat Cllr. Mary Roche commented that during budgets of previous years Councillors had more opportunity to contribute to the final draft.
“I’m on this Council (with one year out) since 1999. In previous years we have had several meetings, and much more detail about the budget. And I understand the concern about the budget getting out and the details but it gets out anyway.”
Cllr. Roche went on the address the rates increase and propose an alternative.
“I have an issue with an increase of 3.5% for retailers and their rates. I accept what the chief executive is saying, that it’s a small part of the pie and that there are much more increases coming from other sectors but we don’t have control over those sectors and neither do the retailers. This is the only sector we do have control on,” Cllr. Roche said.
“I know we are doing what we can to protect the retail community. But when they tell us that they are feeling an awful lot of pain I think we have to listen to them and we have to acknowledge them,” she said.
“I know we’ve done this every year, when we say we’re not going to support an increase, it’s thrown back across the floor well then come up with an alternative. I do have an alternative…if people want to hear it, I will detail it.”
Mayor Seamus Ryan indicated that he would allow the alternative to be heard as an amendment to aid the democratic process.
Cllr. Roche proposed that the following monies be taken from the increases in spending: €320,000 from the Municipal Allowance, €400,000 from Economic Development, €180,000 from Local Roads, and €300,000 from Housing Maintenance.
Cllr. Roche emphasised that these reductions were from the increases is spending only so they would not cut into anything spent the previous year.
“If you add those up Mayor it comes it €1.2 million and that would mean we wouldn’t need the 3.5% increase in rates,” she said.
The amendment received no seconder and so failed to be passed. The proposed reduction of €180,000 for increased spending on local roads received a particularly negative reaction from some Councillors. While Cllr. Roche was commended for her lone effort by others.
Positives
Many Councillors described this as the most progressive budget they had seen in their years on the Council, and some like Pat Nuggent, Damien Geoghan, Pat Fitzgerald and John Hearne referenced that spoke from over a decade of experience.
Many highlighted the extra €2.4 million being invested to maintain the Council’s social housing stock, which is aging.
Cllrs including Pat Nugen and Tom Cronin saw the additional investment into roads as very positive and suggested that Waterford roads are the envy of many other Councils in the country, which should be acknowledged.
New public toilets are to be opened in Waterford City and Dungarvan. Extended opening hours and maintenance will be provided at beach toilets, with a year round service in Ardmore, Dungarvan, Clonea and Tramore.
This was widely welcomed by Councillors, but Cllr. John Hearne did jokingly comment “I think it’s indicative of politics: we campaign on swimming pools and deliver on toilets.”
Fianna Fáil Councillor Jason Murphy said the primary reason he was supporting the budget was the €57 million package the Council will spend on housing.
“It shows that this Council not only has an aspiration but it has a fundamental desire to address the biggest emergency this state has faced in a generation, and that’s the housing emergency.
“Any Councillor in this room, from all parties, from all political views—most of their representations are in relation to housing. I think this Council has shown the way on that.”
Sinn Féin Councillor Catherine Burke called for media to highlight the 9% annual rebate discount scheme, for SMEs and hospitality businesses that commit to two actions in 12 months to reduce their carbon footprint. Chief Executive McKeown highlighted that Waterford Council was the only local authority with this kind of commercial rates discount scheme, which brings a double benefit as businesses get a rate discount and energy savings.
There is also a Prompt Payment Incentive (PPI) to protect smaller rate payers paying up to €5,000 from any increase in their commercial rates if they sign up by May 1st, 2025.
Festivals have also been awarded an additional €254,000. Additional funding is being provided to Winterval, Christmas lights, the Harvest Festival, St Patrick’s Day, Comeraghs Wild, community festivals and the World Games.
Waterford County is also set to receive a new mobile library service, which will see the much lauded Waterford Library reach more remote destinations around the county. Waterford libraries will also receive an additional €205,000 to meet increasing operational costs.
As a former librarian, Mayor Seamus Ryan praised the Waterford Library service and gave thanks to Mary Conway in particular.
“We do have, I believe, the best library service in the country. It’s the jewel in the crown of council services that we provide. To Mary Conway and her team of librarians and staff I want to thank them for the work that they continue to do.”
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
