Agenda and minutes

Mr. Lar Power, Chief Executive presented an update to the Members on the current situation regarding the COVID-19 National Emergency and the measures introduced by Leitrim County Council in response to the National Emergency.

Mr. Power outlined that the restart grant announced recently is aimed at helping micro and small businesses with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following COVID-19 closures.

Eligible businesses who have stayed open throughout the crisis, as well as those who are reopening under Phase 1 (from 18 May) and Phase 2 (8 June) of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, are encouraged to apply now for the Restart Grant. These applications will be prioritized for payment.

To avail of the Restart Grant, applicants must be a commercial business paying Commercial Rates and:  

Ø    have an annual turnover of less than €5m and employ between 1 to 50 people;

Ø         have suffered a projected 25%+ loss in turnover to end June 2020;  

Ø         commit to remaining open or to reopen if it was closed;

Ø    declare the intention to retain employees that are on the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme and re-employ staff on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment as business recovers.

The grant will be equivalent to the rates bill of the business in 2019, or a minimum payment of €2,000, whichever is the higher, and will be subject to a maximum payment of €10,000.

Applications for the restart grant can be made online directly.  To date there are 62 applications completed and 50 applications in progress.

Mr. Power said the Government really need to assist commercial businesses as this is beyond the capacity of any one local authority and their demise will have a negative impact on the economy. Mr. Power asked Deputy Marian Harkin, Deputy Frank Feighan, Deputy Marc McSharry and Deputy Martin Kenny to highlight the importance that Government have in leading the way on assisting ratepayers. 

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Enda McGloin thanked Mr Lar Power for his presentation and invited any questions/comments from the Members.

The Members welcomed and thanked Deputy Marian Harkin, Deputy Frank Feighan, Deputy Marc McSharry and Deputy Martin Kenny for attending the Special meeting of Leitrim County Council.

The following items were raised by the Members of Leitrim County Council:

• Rates waiver period to be extended and the Council to be reimbursed for loss of commercial rates income
• The building of one-off rural houses in Leitrim is significant issue. Neighbouring counties have similar soil condition but don’t similar planning issues as in Leitrim 
• A new reconstruction grant should to be made available to facilitate reconstruction the large number of old houses that are present in counties such as Leitrim. 
• People are unable to purchase Local Authority houses as an anomaly exists in the current scheme
• All afforestration, including planting and felling, to come under Planning Laws .
• All rural issues need to be included in Government Plan
• Concerns about the COVID-19 2 metre rule on social distancing in local and rural schools,  ...  view the full minutes text for item MM.69.20