Spend will be up €7.4m next year as council agrees budget of €117m

MEMBERS OF Wexford County Council have agreed their last Budget for the current term, allowing for an overall spend of €117 million, an increase of €7.4 million from 2018.

In the area of expenditure, housing services will have a total budget of more than €25m with roads seeing an increase to almost €30m.

In terms of income, goods and services are expected to raise €34.47m, grants and subsidies are projected to yield €31.1m, commercial rates will amount to €36.5m and Local Property tax is estimated to bring in €14.7m.

CEO of Wexford County Council Tom Enright outlined a list of the council’s capital projects and gave an update as to their status.

He pointed out that construction had begun on Min Ryan Park; tenders were being assessed for Gorey town and district park; the planning process and detailed design has started on Crescent Quay; a Master Plan was complete for Trinity Wharf; construction had commenced on Enniscorthy Technology Park; the tender process for the New Ross Advance Factor was complete; the planning process was underway on the Templeshannon Regeneration; and various Greenway projects were being advanced through Planning.

He said the preparation of the budget was a complex process that sought to balance the need for ongoing support and development of local services with the urgent need to deliver the county’s ambitious Economic and Community Development programme, and to address the proper provision of social, private and affordable housing.

Mr. Enright commended the elected members on their recent decision to retain Local Property Tax rates at 2018 levels and their decision in 2017 to increase commercial rates by 3% from 2018.

‘These decisions have placed Wexford County Council in a strong position to progress plans and proposals to achieve and deliver real positive economic growth in the county. We can already see a welcome increase in economic activity during 2018 and I fully expect this progress to continue throughout 2019 and beyond. Wexford County Council will continue to support and actively encourage economic development and to attract and maximise economic investment and create greater employment opportunities for our citizens and a better quality of life for all.’