Clonmel Chamber of Commerce has published its election manifesto for the upcoming vote due to be held on May 23rd…when North and South Tipperary will merge into one local authority.
The issues of rates, water charges and employment creation are among the commitments that the business group wants candidates to undertake.
These commitments are:
1. Support local economies through business engagement on Local Enterprise Offices and Local Community Development Committees; working with Chambers to support local tourism and supporting town centres through fair car parking rates and better management of spaces;
2. Support procurement policies that support local businesses in County Tipperary by encouraging local authorities to focus on job creation and the economy rather than lowest price when awarding contracts;
3. Ensure Local Government reform benefits business through targeted reductions in commercial rates and that monies raised through the Local Property Tax are spent on local services;
4. Guarantee the rollout of Irish Water will not lead to increased charges for business by encouraging local authorities to work with Irish Water to produce a reliable and sustainable supply for all; and
5. Make infrastructure and planning contribute to growth by ensuring planning laws and decisions support business development.
Speaking at the launch of the Chamber Manifesto, Clonmel Chamber Chief Executive Brian Cleary said “The business community is the largest single source of funding for Local Authorities throughout Ireland and it is vital that their contribution to the local community is recognised. The reform of Local Government offers a unique opportunity to enhance the collaborative process between businesses and Local Authorities and we encourage all candidates to commit to being pro-active advocates for business. Clonmel and Cahir play an important role in the economic life of County Tipperary and our proposals aim to strengthen these towns while creating an environment for business owners to create new jobs and to increase the collective prosperity of the area” said Cleary.
