WITH expectation mounting that the new Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, will shortly announce his decision on the Limerick city boundary extension issue, without further change, the city’s future will be significantly undermined both socially and economically, according to the city manager, Tom Mackey. In the council’s annual report for last year, which has just been presented to city council, Mr Mackey says that the significant competitive challenges facing the council on all fronts, are compounded by the ‘under-bounding” of the city.
“While some progress was made on the boundary issue, with a limited extension in March 2008 (when the Coonagh and Caherdavin areas were transferred from the administration of Limerick County Council to Limerick City Council), Mr Mackey said::
“The council has rightly identified that without further change, the very future of the city will be undermined both socially and economically.”
Referring to the reduced government funding now available to all local authorities, Mr Mackey said the decreased allocation increases pressure to raise more resources at local level, just as the economy of the city has so significantly dropped.
“This is a very difficult position for the council, and in addition the underbounding of the city places acute pressure on the capacity of the business sector to fund services, as many of them strive to survive in drastically changed times.
“It was heartening to see that in determining the City Budget for 2010, the council rose to the challenge to protect investment for those with the greatest need”.
Mr Mackey said that the new era of economic change will also provide opportunities for Limerick.
“Competition for investment will be fierce, as each city region seeks to gain advantage.
“However, there is a great willingness and tradition in Limerick to face that challenge, whether on the sporting field or in the business arena – we are well positioned to manage these challenges”.
