Cork County Council’s budget 2020 delivers for Cork

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The elected members of Cork County Council have today passed a budget for Cork County Council totalling €338.4 million for 2020. 

This is the first budget since the 31st May 2019 boundary alteration, between Cork County Council and Cork City Council. It is also the first budget of the current Council, which is made up of the 55 Councillors who were elected in May for a 5 year term.

Yesterday's budget continues and strengthens the positive work being performed by the County Council, thanks in part to Councillors voting through a 5% increase in Local Property Tax (LPT), back in September. 

This had the positive effect of allowing improved support for Playground minor works, and the Community Arts Programme. The LPT revenue will also improve Matching funding for Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure, and the Climate Change Initiatives Fund. Support for the Entrances and Presentation of Towns is maintained, along with the Village Enhancement Fund, and Town Development Fund. The LPT has also allowed for the continued support of Social Housing disability works.
Meanwhile, within the overall budget, an additional €6.8 million has been allocated to Road Transport & Safety, while there has been a 48.6% increase per capita from last year in monies allocated towards Roads Maintenance in particular.

Speaking of the Budget, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Christopher O’Sullivan highlighted the importance of continuing to deliver on the success of a number of projects for the people of Cork,

“Cork County Council is the Climate Action Regional Office for the Atlantic Seaboard South. €365,000 has been ringfenced in the Budget for Climate Change initiatives, including a Grant scheme to community groups and social enterprises for waste prevention activities, and the green schools programme roll-out in association with An Taisce”

Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey said

“Cork County Council continues to seek efficiencies while maintaining core services to the very highest of standards.   I am also delighted to note that overall in the budget there is an increase in the per capita spending on community services across our 8 Municipal Districts of Carrigaline, Macroom, Cobh, East Cork, Bandon-Kinsale, Fermoy, Kanturk-Mallow, and West Cork ensuring services are delivered as close to our citizen as possible.”