Speedier payments needed as part of T&V scheme
OPEN letter to Minister for Rural and Community Development
Re. Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2017
Dear Minister,
The above scheme is giving very good value for money as things stand.
With discounts of 25-30 % being reported in some cases, in contracts agreed between the “Community Groups” and the “Contractors” involved in the various projects.
As a participant in one of these Schemes in Co. Louth I would just like to point out one weakness in the current 2017 Scheme.
From the time of the presentation of the Invoice for payment to the Local Authority and the arrival of the monies in the Community Account it is now over 8 weeks instead of the normal 4 weeks as per the general regulations.
This delay does not augur well for the smooth running of the scheme into the future and the continuance of the excellent value for money being achieved locally at the moment.
Could I suggest the following simple changes to the scheme which would improve things greatly for the” Community Groups” and” Contractors” involved
I propose that the present grants now sanctioned and being dealt with at the moment are 90% front loaded into the” Town or Village Accounts” without further delay.
With the Local Authority having complete oversight of all the works and documentation as they are doing presently.
So when the” Contractors” are finished and produce their Invoices to the” Community Body” they could be paid the full amount of their Invoice immediately, less the the 10% of the grant amount pertaining to that Invoice.
The 10% of the grant retained would then be claimed on full completion of all of the works with complete oversight by the Local Authority and subject to a full audit at any time.
Most Community Bodies availing of the” Town and Village Scheme” are already affiliated to the PPN Network in each county and are well known to the Council Officials, who can vouch for the Good Governance and track record of all of the Network Members .
These proposed changes if implemented would greatly help to retain the enormous goodwill that presently exists between the” Community Groups” and the “Contractors” along with the huge value for money being experienced at present.
Yours Sincerely Hugh D Conlon Member of Mid Louth PPN, Policing Committee, Main St. Dunleer