Local Property Tax exemption is ‘unfair’

By JACQUELINE HOGGE THE decision to exempt only one of Tuamâ€â„¢s unfinished estates from the local property tax has been was deemed very unfair by members of the Town Council who will express their discontent in writing to the Minister. The issue was raised at this weekâ€â„¢s meeting where members said they were dismayed at the decision to only exclude the Carraig Weir estate from the LPT, due to come into force in July. Cllr Tom Reilly said there were numerous estates in the town that were unfinished and he proposed the council write to Phil Hogan to say they did not support the decision to exempt just one development. â€Å“There are estates in this town with only one street light and to expect the people living there to pay this tax is totally wrong,â€Â he said. Cllr Larry Bane queried why there was no relief for those living in estates that had been taken in charge by Galway County Council.[private] â€Å“There are many estates that are waiting to be taken in charge by the council but until that happens they have to pay to maintain their own areas, and I find it very unfair that on top of that they are now being forced to pay the property tax. Itâ€Ëœs a double tax that people cannot afford and I donâ€â„¢t have the answers for people who come to me with this issue.â€Â Cllr Sally Ann Flanagan suggested a list of unfinished estates be drawn up before writing to the Minister, so that a firm case could be made for those that are not exempt from the tax. â€Å“Thereâ€â„¢s no point sending off a letter without details regarding the names of the unfinished estates in Tuam, we need to get that information first,â€Â she said. Town Manager Frank Gilmore said he would seek information on both the number of unfinished estates, and those that have applied to the council to be taken in charge, but warned that the process was a lengthy one. â€Å“This is a political issue that we have no role in, but there are several issues involved in the taking in charge process that can make it quite a lengthy procedure,â€Â he said. Cllr Martin Ward queried whether or not the council could afford to take over these estates, as he pointed out there was no point talking about issues they had no power to change. Cllr Imelda Kelly called for more information on the time frame involved in the taking in charge process and asked Mr Gilmore to furnish the council with as much information as possible on the subject. â€Å“It should be possible to provide such information but given that each application is different, and is fraught with so many discrepancies, I will need to refer to the planning department for clarity and guidance on this issue.â€Â Cllr Paul Oâ€â„¢Grady pointed out that the biggest issue concerning the taking in charge of estates was the costs associated with maintaining roads and street lighting and said there was no point giving false hope that something could be done.[/private]