No council rates relief for businesses

Neither Athlone Town Council nor Westmeath County Council intend to reduce local authority rates in the coming year, the Westmeath Independent has learned. Both local authorities have their annual budget meetings next week, but draft budgets seen by this paper indicate the local authorities are proposing no change in the commercial rates charged to local businesses. Local traders had sought a reduction in rates in order to maintain their competitiveness in the current unhealthy trading environment.