Public invited to have say on LPT increase

The public in Westmeath are to be given a say on whether the Local Property Tax (LPT) for next year should rise, stay the same, or actually decrease.

However, no matter what the public want, the council only have the option of a change of a maximum of 15 per cent either upwards or downwards in the tax.

Westmeath County Council have launched a public consultation process, which runs until August 22, inviting members of the public to make submissions outlining their views on what should happen.

Seeking submissions, the council said that a summary of the written submissions will be presented as a report to the elected members by the chief executive, Pat Gallagher, and the elected members will then consider the public feedback as part of the decision-making process.

However, the council have pointed out, in deciding whether or not to vary the rate, the councillors will consider the council’s estimated income and expenditure for 2015; its current financial position; the estimated financial effect of changing the rate – and the points raised by the public.

Councillors have already expressed concern about the fact that they have to decide on the rate at which to set the 2014 property tax by September 30, but they won’t know until well into October what general purpose grant they will be allocated by central government.

For those in the lowest valuation band, a change either way won’t be significant, amounting to a cut of €13.50 if a 15 per cent reduction is ultimately agreed, or a rise of €13.50 to €103.50 if a 15 per cent increase is decided upon.

Write to the council at Westmeath County Council, LPT Submissions, County Buildings, Mount Street, County Westmeath or email LPT@westmeathcoco.ie before August 22.