Mr. Martin Lydon, Director of Services gave a financial update of 2020 to date to the members:

·         In May 2020 an update to members on the possible financial impact of Covid 19 based on the information that was available at that time reported a potential loss of rates income of €5.9m, the reduction in planning income of €50,000, the introduction of 3 month waiver for rate payments with a commitment from Government to cover this shortfall.

·         It was agreed at this time that amenity and graveyard grants would be maintained, suspension of the Municipal District Fund of €255,000 and it be a reduction in the town team funding to €8,000.

•       In September 2020 it was reported to members that the rates waiver was increased to 6 months and this brought a lot more clarity to the situation. An enhanced Restart Grant was introduced but it was still an uncertain period in making financial decisions and more quality information was not available due to uncertainty about businesses reopening.

•       Overview of Government supports:

–      9 Month Waiver of Commercial Rates:

–      100% waiver for the period 27 March to 27 December

–      1354 customers (out of a total 2156) received a waiver

–      €3.9m claimed in Roscommon

–      779 accounts with arrears of €1.53m

–      575 accounts in credit totalling €1.13m

–      ReStart Grant:

-          ReStart Grant 581 applications totalling €1.8m

-          ReStart Plus Grant 866 applications totalling €4.4m

-          ReStart Appeals to be paid €0.8m

-          ReStart Top-ups to be paid €1.2m

-          Total paid to businesses €8.2m (funding now received to make payments)

-          456 potential applicants did not apply

–      Costs associated with Pandemic:

-          Acute Financial Matters Reports prepared on behalf of CCMA: – Impact on Goods & Service Income,  Analysis of Emergency Costs associated with Covid-19

-          AFM Report 33 :Published in July , Estimated loss of income of €121k, Lowest figure in the country due to no paid parking

-          AFM Report 34: Published in September, Estimated additional expenditure of €462k, €289k relates to staff costs not coded to Road Grants and therefore not budgeted, PPE Equipment and Remote Working Costs

-          All Costs to be verified before submitting claim to DHLGH

•       The Ministers letter to the Elected Members on 11^th November outlined the following:

–      €900m allocated for nine month rates waiver underspent

–      Underspend allows for reallocation of funding to “meet costs and income losses that have arisen as a direct consequence of the pandemic”

–      With regard to 2021 “it is not possible for the Government to make open ended commitments in respect of commercial rates or other income pressures”

–      If supports are required in 2021, they will be more targeted than was the case in 2020

–      Ministers are aware that commercial rates are the “backbone” of local authority income and ratepayers should contribute, where they can do so

–      Critical services are delivered to the citizens and confidence is maintained in the local government system

·         The 2021 budget will be presented to the Elected Members on 26^th November

·         The Elected Members in partnership with the Executive have maintained services

·         Maintaining LPT has allowed match funding of €255k to be allocated to maximise external funding opportunities

·         Street cleaning and grants to local groups at 2020 levels

·         With regard to the final projects outturn in 2020, the members should note:

o   Central Government have and will provide substantial funding

o   Services have been maintained

o   Rates: €4.2m still to be collected as at October 2020; compared to €3.1m in October 2019. Difficult to know how many businesses will reopen as 456 ratepayers have not claimed ReStart Grant and Ratepayers will be chased for outstanding rates

o   Rent collection is holding up due in part to the PUP still in place

o   Circa €300k provided to meet expenditure associated with Housing voids

o   Costs incurred during pandemic was not budgeted

o   €255k GMA is available as part of the 2020 budget (once-off funding) and will roll into 2021 if not spent in 2020

o   The 2020 Budget will be balanced

o   Claim will be made for income lost and additional costs due to pandemic

o   No reduction to frontline services such as Roads and Housing during 2020

The Chief Executive stated that the final update for 2020 is positive. The Government approach and level of commitment to the Local Authority Sector is to be commended in particular in relation to the financial commitment. He is satisfied that the Council has maintained its services throughout 2020 and we can approach 2021 in a positive light. He thanked the community for their positive approach during the year.

The Cathaoirleach thanked the Director for the update. He welcomed the Restart Grant(s) that have made a significant impact and welcomed the reinstatement of the GMA. He thanked the staff for their commitment during the year to keep services provided to the county.

The members welcomed the report in advance of the Budget meeting on Thursday as it gives a clear understanding of the financial situation as we plan for 2021.

The members discussed the report as follows:

-          Businesses have had a difficult year and will take time to recover and Restart Grants were very welcome in this regard

-          It is a concern that it is inevitable that a number of businesses will not reopen and also many businesses depend on Christmas trade for 50% of their annual turnover.

-          Welcome the return of the General Municipal Allocation

-          A newsletter should be circulated to all ratepayers regarding obligation to pay first 3 months rates for 2020.

-          Welcome support of Central Government funding

-          Everyone must support local businesses particularly in the lead into Christmas and never was the need to shop local more important than this year

-          Welcome the maintenance of services throughout 2020 despite difficulties and the presentation of a balanced budget for the year.

-          Thanks to the work of the Local Enterprise Office during 2020 with small businesses.

-          Reminder that a number of local businesses now have an online presence for those that do not want to physically visits shops due to the current situation

-          There are some good news stories of new businesses opening due to changing demands

-          Welcome the continuation of matched funding to support projects that will hopefully transform out county and a balanced budget is necessary to facilitate this.

-          There is a need to highlight the free parking in the towns and villages throughout the county and the Main Streets should be kept free to allow shoppers to “Click and Collect”

It was PROPOSED by Cllr. Leyden

           SECONDED by Cllr. Shanagher

That an SPC proposal for one stop shop online portal be progressed to bring all shops into a single portal.

The Chief Executive thanked the local shops that have kept the county in business with part time workers, paying rates and many shops have invested in online selling and deserve everyone’s support. He announced that a media campaign will be launched shortly to promote shop local throughout the county.

Mr. Lydon confirmed that the Restart Grant application process was closed on 31^st October  and a newsletter will be issued to ratepayers in the next week.

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