Pass savings on to businesses - says Gateway chamber president

Midlands Gateway Chamber President Paul O'Reilly has said the proposed half a billion savings recommended by Local Government Efficiency Group review must be passed on to local businesses if and when they are implemented.The report which was published last week stated that savings could be made by the restructuring of county councils and possibly merging some neighbouring bodies.Longford and Westmeath County Councils came under this heading but yesterday (Tuesday) County Manager Danny McLoughlin said that it was just a report and as such did not merit comment.The Group's recommendations also cover proposals for reductions in senior management and other staffing levels plus greater efficiency in procurement.The report also recommends more use of shared services, such as joint inspectorates and regional design offices; better financial management including annual reporting to the Oireachtas.Paul O'Reilly also said that while the merger may not happen, he hoped that any savings made if the reports recommendations were implemented would be passed onto the business community."I hope that this does not happen and while I realise that these are only recommendations any savings must be passed on to the businesses which are the main source of revenue for county councils."If implemented quickly, many of the recommendations could deliver much needed savings to local authorities. Restructuring the system of Local Government in Ireland provides a real opportunity to introducing new and more efficient ways of providing local services. Central to this is improving Ireland's competitiveness, while minimising the negative impact on ratepayers." "The reforms outlined by the Review Group would result in savings of in the region of €511 million. Business has been the funder of 'last resort' for many local authorities. It follows therefore that a significant amount of the cost savings achieved must be passed back to businesses in the form of reduced rates and other charges."The savings outlined in the report have the potential to help reduce the burden on local government funding, of which business is one. We call on the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government to set about implementing as many of these recommendations as possible as a matter of urgency."