Commercial rates unchanged in Athlone Town Council budget

Earlier this week, Athlone Town Council agreed a budget for 2013 which leaves the level of commercial rates unchanged for the fifth successive year, but pledges support for businesses in other ways. The local authority said the redevelopment of Athlone Castle and the launch of the Luan Gallery would have a positive impact on the town's business sector. It also intends to continue streetscape improvements in the 'Left Bank' area, reduce development contributions for projects in the town centre, resurface Church Street / Dublingate Street, and allocate €104,000 in sponsorship for festivals and events. Outlining the budget's main provisions, Town Clerk Hugh O'Reilly noted that there had been a "significant" reduction of 5% in funding from central Government through the Local Government Fund. Among the council's projects planned for 2013 are: a €6m scheme to replace some 50 kilometres of old and leaky watermains in Athlone; the €5m Garrycastle Bridge redevelopment; and a €300,000 upgrade of the Civic Square, which will focus mainly on improvements around St Mary's Church of Ireland. A sum of €20,000 will go towards the development of a tour bus parking area in the town, and €11,000 will be spent on video conferencing facilities between the council's offices in Athlone and Mullingar. The budget also allocates €34, 245 "towards the cost of the O'Connell Street car park which was completed in 2012, providing an additional 55 spaces on the west side of town." The council has budgeted for a €250,000 loss on the total operating costs of Athlone Castle, the Luan Gallery and the Abbey Road Artists' studios in 2013.