DLR Chamber letter to Councillors re LPT and Commercial Rates

To the Councillors of DLR,
Dún Laoghaire- Rathdown County Council,
Marine Road,
Dun Laoghaire.

14^th September 2020

Dear Councillor,

This submission on behalf of the business community representing Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Chamber of Commerce is to request that the County Council in its final budget for 2021 does not increase the Commercial Property rates and Local Property tax for 2021.

In representing the business interests of DLR we support responsible fiscal management and planning. We recognise that maintaining a diverse range of Government revenue streams at national and local level is essential for fiscal prudence to underpin and support long-term economic stability and success.

However it is important to operate a system of local citizen taxes and commercial property rates that are fair and equitable and do not overburden our citizens and businesses to the point of becoming uncompetitive.

As business owners and operators our members are acutely aware of the significant costs of COVID 19. In particular a major concern is that the costs of COVID19 will be met through increasing Commercial Rates and Local Property Tax as well as a reduction in local services. DLR Chamber believes this will have a detrimental impact on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, for business and local citizens/residents.

A major concern held by our members is that DLR County Council will be facing a huge hole in their funds as they face the challenge of drawing up a balanced budget for 2021 and the risk of increasing Commercial Rates and Local Property Tax to meet this funding deficit. Our members have expressed concern that the only way DLR County Council can draw up a balanced budget for 2021 is by raising Commercial Rates, Local Property Tax and other rents.
However, it would be totally unacceptable for DLR County Council to become reliant on income from the Commercial Rates and Local Property Tax in order to meet DLR’s COVID19 estimated €6.7 million deficit in the Council budget.

We strongly urge Dún Laoghaire- Rathdown County Council to consider the negative and disproportionate impact of an increase in the Local Property Taxes and Commercial property rates will have on businesses and their employees throughout the county. We believe Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council must recognise the difficult environment in which businesses currently operate particularly the uncertain economic climate arising from COVID 19 as well as Brexit. Any increase in either the LPT or the commercial rates will negatively impact enterprise survival and competitiveness, particularly for small and micro enterprises in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, many of whom live in DLR, as well as for their employees, the citizens/residents of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.

The CEO, and Board of DLR Chamber.

Serving Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown for over 71 years

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