Clare council budget exceeds €100m

Spiralling wage costs have pushed Clare County Council's budget for this year over the €100 million barrier for the first time in the local authority's history.

In the budget presented to councillors yesterday by county manager Alec Fleming, they were told that the council would spend €101 million this year, an increase of 8.4 per cent on last year's €93 million. In 2000, the budget was €55.5 million.

Mr Fleming told councillors that the largest factor behind the increase this year is the additional €2.5 million staff would be paid as a result of national pay agreements.

In an attempt to finance the escalating budget, the county's businesses are to be hit with a 5.5 per cent rates increase which will generate an additional €1.55 million. The local authority has also expanded the rates base which will bring in a further €1.1 million.

Arising from the budget,Clare's 32 councillors will scoop more than €1,000,000 in taxpayers' money in salaries, expenses and overseas trips. The members were told that €1,075,699 would be allocated towards their council-related activities this year.

The largest proportion, €522,199, will go towards councillors' salaries, an increase on last year's figure of €483,489. Councillors receive a pre-tax salary of €14,278. The allocation to councillors travelling to conferences around Ireland is to be also increased from €214,000 in 2004 to €240,000 this year. Training expenses for councillors are also included.

The budget also provides for €21,000 for an overseas trip by councillors, the same figure as last year. The expenses for members to attend monthly council meetings is to remain the same at €221,000, with the average payment to each councillor of €6,900.

Mr Fleming expressed concern over the level of central Government funding which amounts to €14.65 million this year from the Local Government Fund.