Council keeps head above water

Westmeath County Council is in surprisingly good financial shape despite tough economic times experienced in the first half of 2008, heard the body"s monthly meeting yesterday (Monday) afternoon.Total expenditure for the year so far is sitting at 58 per cent of the allocated budget which is the usual trend for the council"s finances.Westmeath County Council has also applied a €1.32 million additional allocation to offset any revenue deficits for the year.Revenue from car parking charges which was set to fall due to spaces taken away by the Central Development remains the same due to the halting of building work at the site.Edward Hynes, Head of Finance said that monies had been 'ringfenced' for projects in Mullingar.But revenue from commercial rating, the failure to complete the industrial water charge programme and income from Belvedere and dog licences are all down threatening to pull the council back into the red.A combination of business closures and properties which were due to be rated but fell below rateable classifications mean a financial shortfall of around €200,000 for the year.Despite a great season at Belvedere with an increase in both daily and season ticket sales, the absence of the Midlands festival means that the tourist attraction is sitting at only 42 per cent of expected revenue for the year so far.And despite an increase in Westmeath"s dog population, licence sales have decreased, due to a lack of enforcement, admitted Cathaoirleach Joe Whelan, who said that the situation would be addressed by the council.The main bone of contention at the finance meeting was the absence of top-up funding for Disabled Persons Grants (DPGs) and Essential Repairs Grants (EPGs). There is no further budget to furnish applications for these grants for the remainder of the year and resources will now be directed towards repair and modifications works needed by the terminally ill or severely disabled.Labour Councillor Mick Dollard raised concerns over the lack of funding for repairs at both Dalton Park and Ennell Court and said that even small amounts of cash would make a huge impact on both areas.'Essentials such as tarmacing back lanes in Dalton Park could and must still be done,' he said. 'As for the lack of funding for DPGs we are talking about work that needs to be done in public institutions as well as in private homes. We need to write to and speak to the Minister about this immediately.'