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SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 12, 2012

MOTION NO. 9

MOTION: Councillor B. Bonner

That this council offer an incentive to businesses to change their signage to a type of sign that would be more acceptable aesthetically by offering a reduction in rates to businesses who install improved signage which would be in keeping with the historic village centres in our county.

REPORT:

The current rates legislation does not provide for a scheme of rates reduction as outlined.

The commercial rates bill as issued by the Council is based on the valuation provided by the Valuation Office which is the state agency charged with providing valuations for non-domestic property.  The Valuation Office acts independently and liaises with property owners and occupiers when applying such valuations. 

The Valuation Acts govern the way that Rateable Valuations are calculated and maintained in the Valuations List by the Commissioner for Valuations.  The Council is obliged to levy and collect Commercial Rates in accordance with legislation enacted by the Government. (i.e. the Poor Relief Acts and Local Government Acts). The Council has no flexibility in relation to changing the amount of the rates bill as the legislation does not allow for an adjustment to be made. 

In terms of design and recognising the integrity of local villages the Council will work with local business and other stakeholders through the Villages project to protect and enhance the historic villages in the County.