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Inishowen Inc. make progress
03.12.09
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by Simon McGeady, Inishowen Independent
INISHOWEN Inc have made significant progress towards
their aim of securing a rates reduction for the
coming year.
The pressure group, made up of members of the local
business community as well as those representing the
service industry here, held a meeting in the
Ballyliffin Lodge and Spa on Thursday at which they
outlined the progress made on this and other
objectives. |
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Ballyliffin businessman
Cecil Doherty, said Inishowen Inc. had held two
meetings with County Manager Michael McLoone and his
senior staff, the most recent in Lifford earlier in
November.
“It became clear after meeting with the County
Manager that we can’t have a rates strike.
Businesses are legally bound to pay rates and it’s
not a measure we would have wanted to take anyway.
“We were looking for a 25% reduction. It’s been a
tough fight. We met with the County Manager on this
issue in Lifford recently. The book of estimates is
currently being prepared so now is the time |
for people in Inishowen
to lobby their local representatives. I think we can
get more than 5%.”
Commenting on the rates issue, Fianna Fáil
Councillor Charlie McConalogue added “We
[councillors] are committed to working with
Inishowen Inc. We understand how beneficial a 25%
rates cut would be, but I want to make it clear that
we haven’t agreed to cut rates by 25%.”
Further to his meeting with the County Manager, Mr
Doherty said that any business having difficulty
paying their 2009 rates should sit down with their
accountant, then set up a meeting with the local
authority.
“An accommodation will be reached with the Council
on 2009 rates,” said Mr Doherty.
The rates issue did not dominate the meeting,
however.
Kathleen Gill of Inishowen Tourism gave details of a
new website that’s set to replace the current
Inishowen Tourism site early in the New Year. The
site will have a full time web manager and,
eventually, make online booking of accommodation and
activities available.
“Online booking will be available on the site, not
in the first six months, but to me the website will
be a success if six months down the line B&Bs are
available with, say, quilting or kayaking as part of
a package that can be booked online.”
Inishowen Inc. aim to attract an additional 25,000
people to the peninsula next year.
Christina McEleney, meanwhile, revealed that
Inishowen Inc. had embarked on strategy of
collective bargaining on behalf of Inishowen Inc.
members and that they were on the verge of securing
a group rate with one electricity provider.
“We also have a proposal from a mobile phone
company. Membership of Inishowen Inc. will be
available soon. The larger volume of people we
represent, the easier it will be to compete for
group rates from everything from credit card
transactions, insurance and purchases common to
businesses here.” |
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