Council News

In pursuance of the provisions of section 20 of the FINANCE (LOCAL PROPERTY TAX) ACT 2012 (as amended), I the undersigned, hereby notify the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage of the passing, of a resolution at a meeting of the above mentioned local authority on 10^th October 2024 to the effect that the basic rate of local property tax should stand varied upwards by fifteen per cent for the years 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 in respect of relevant residential properties situated in the administrative area of Waterford City & County Council.

The variation in the Local Property Tax rate applies for a period of five years from the next Local Property Tax liability date, after which time the rate of LPT reverts back to the initial (basic) rate unless a further decision has been made by the Council, as a reserved function in 2029, to retain the variation or apply an alternative variation.

Signed: Sean Mc Keown
Chief Executive

At its meeting held today, 10th October, Waterford City & County Council agreed to set the Local Adjustment Factor for the Local Property Tax (LPT) from the existing 10% to 15% above the base rate, and to fix this rate for the next five years.

This is the first big decision that the Council has taken as part of its preparations for the 2025 budget, and is aimed at providing greater financial certainty for both the Council and homeowners. The decision is expected to yield an additional €515,000 from the LPT for the Council next year, and will result in minimal financial impact on the majority of homeowners. For example, for the more than half of Waterford households, whose homes fall within the lowest LPT property band, they will see an increase of just €4.50 in the LPT for next year—equating to less than 9 cent per week, representing exceptional value considering the wide range of services funded by the LPT.

The Mayor, Cllr Jason Murphy said “I welcome the decision made today to fix the LPT rate for the next 5 years. With an extremely modest increase for the majority of households, this decision strikes the right balance between maintaining affordability and ensuring we have the necessary resources to continue delivering and improving vital local services for the people of Waterford.”

Bernard Pollard, Head of Finance stated: “The additional revenue generated from the LPT is needed to fund the rising costs of service delivery. By fixing the LPT rate for the next 5 years, the Council have not only addressed short-term needs, but have made a strategic decision to secure funding that will help us maintain and improve local services, invest in community projects and progress initiatives that make Waterford a great place to live, work, visit and do business.”

It is also important to note that only home owners are liable for payment of the Local Property Tax —tenants in social or private rented housing do not pay LPT.

ENDS

This year’s Regional Europe Direct Soapbox public speaking competition takes place in the Dr Mary Strangman Large Room in City Hall, The Mall, Waterford on Wednesday, November 6^th.

The topic is ‘A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) is not a threat to Humanity’ and entrants are invited to deliver a three-minute speech for or against the topic.

The competition, sponsored by the European Commission Representation and supported by Waterford City and County Council, is open to entrants in two categories: ages 16 and under or 17 and over. 

Regional winners will go on to represent their region in the national competition at the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin on November 26^th.

Breda O’Shea, Executive Librarian with Waterford City and County Council said, “I would encourage young people to enter the Soapbox competition. Whether you’re a proficient public speaker or have a particular viewpoint on the topic, it’s a wonderful experience in expressing your views and it’s also a great confidence booster.

“As well as going on to represent your region in the national finals and have a chance to win €1,000 worth of One4All vouchers, regional winners will receive a prize of an iPad.”

Caoilan Walsh, last year’s winner of the 17 & over category added, “The Soapbox was an absolutely wonderful experience, and I would do it again if I could. I had a wonderful time both from the competition and social aspect. I learned so much about both Irish and EU politics from the study I did for my speech.

“Just taking part was enough for me, but winning was a better feeling than I can ever describe! If you or someone you know is interested in public speaking or the world around you, I would highly recommend entering the soapbox competition.”

The term soapbox originates in the use of an empty crate as a platform by speakers to give speeches, often impromptu, to passers-by from around the turn of the last century. The most famous location for soapbox oratory is Speakers Corner in Hyde Park, London, which has been a setting for public speaking since the 1870s.

To enter you can download the application form and read the competition rules from the Europe Direct Waterford page https://waterfordlibraries.ie/europe-direct/ or call into any of Waterford’s 12 Library branches.  Emailed application forms will be issued with a confirmation of receipt email. Please contact Central Library on 051 849975 if you don’t receive confirmation.

Closing date for application is 4.30pm, Friday November 1st, 2024.

From today, October 1st, 2024, new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bully type dogs, and from February 1st, 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully type dog without a Certificate of Exemption.

All XL Bully dog owners must apply for a Certificate of Exemption

This certificate will be unique to each XL Bully type dog and owner. Owners will need to provide:

1. Copy of Valid Dog Licence: Under the Control of Dogs Act 1986, every dog must be licensed and kept under effective control and must have a collar bearing the owner’s name and address. Licences are available from any Post Office or online at www.licences.ie.
2. Microchipping Certificate: It is a legal requirement in Ireland to have all dogs implanted with a microchip and registered on an approved database by the time they are 12 weeks old.
3. Confirmation of neutering: Owners must arrange to have their XL Bully type dog neutered by a registered Veterinary Practitioner in order to receive a Certificate of Exemption.
4. Photographic proof of identity of owner: i.e. copy of passport, driver’s licence, public services card, etc.
5. Proof of address of owner: i.e. copy of utility bill or bank statement within previous three months, etc.

Owners of XL Bully type dogs can apply for a Certificate of Exemption online at https://waterfordcouncil.ie/services/environment/dog-control/

or by posting all required documentation to:

Environment Section, ref: XL Bully Dog, Waterford City and County Council, Menapia Building, The Mall, Waterford X91 PK15.

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Notes to editors:

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has signed the Control of Dogs (XL Bully) Regulations 2024 that will introduce the ban on XL Bully type dogs in Ireland.

The ban comes into force in two stages beginning on the 1st October 2024 with a full ownership ban coming into force on the 1st February 2025.

The period between these two dates will allow current XL Bully dog owners time to apply for a Certificate of Exemption from their local authority to permit them to keep their dog until the end of its natural life. There will be no fee for the certificate of exemption.

Further information regarding the XL Bully ban can be found at www.gov.ie/xlbully 

Fire Safety Week 2024 takes place from September 30^th to October 6^th 2024

#24FSW #STOPfire

With Fire Safety Week 2024 taking place from September 30^th to October 6^th, Waterford Fire Services are urging the public to be extra cautious about potential fire risks in their homes, particularly as we enter the colder months. The importance of ensuring fully operational fire alarms cannot be overstated.

This year’s theme is ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire – But What Did?’ and the campaign, jointly run with the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, aims to prevent home fires by understanding common causes and taking preventive measures.

Colin Barden, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Waterford Fire Service, emphasised, “With colder weather on the horizon, it’s crucial to be aware of additional fire risks. We urge homeowners to keep themselves and their families safe by ensuring smoke alarms are properly fitted, functional, and tested regularly. A working smoke alarm could be the key to keeping your family safe if a fire occurs.”

Tuesday, October 1st is Smoke Alarm Day, serving as a reminder to check that your smoke alarm is operational, with at least one on every floor and remember, when it sounds, get outside and stay outside.

Niall Curtin, Chief Fire Officer with Waterford Fire Service, highlights the increased risks during colder months, “As temperatures drop, we tend to use more heating appliances. It’s vital to be aware of the dangers these can pose. We advise people to have their heating systems serviced, keep flammable materials away from heat sources, and never leave portable heaters unattended.”

With Halloween and Christmas approaching, additional risks exist from festive lighting, flammable Halloween costumes and candles.  It’s crucial to have an action plan in place should a fire occur in your home.

For more information on smoke alarms and Fire Safety Week, visit www.firesafetyweek.ie and look for the hashtags #24FSW and #STOPfire across social media.

Waterford City and County Council and Fáilte Ireland are dead excited to announce the return of Samhain, a celebration of the folklore, magic and myth of Ireland’s ancient Halloween traditions.

Throughout the October Bank Holiday weekend, Waterford city will be awash with a fusion of spooky, spectral and bewitching events under the watchful eye of An Dearg Dua, a 2,000-year-old female vampire with binding Déise connections.

On Friday, October 25^th award-winning street spectacle creators, Spraoi, returns to streets of Waterford with a stunning shadowy Samhain procession and finale performance.  Themed Fire and Shadows this year’s procession is inspired by An Dearg Dua, a unique piece of Waterford folklore.

Born in Waterford during the Iron Age, An Dearg Dua is the quintessential vampire.  Her behaviour, as an undead, stems from personal tragedy brought about by her father’s greed and ambition, plus the callousness of the chieftain she was forced to marry.  The Dearg Due, or Dearg Dur, is said to translate from ancient Irish as the Red Thirst or Red Bloodsucker.  Another version of the name is even more chilling, An Dearg Dúth which simply means The Red Black which could be interpreted as living blood that dies.

The Fire and Shadows procession will commence at approximately 7.30pm, adjacent to the Irish Wake Museum in Waterford’s Viking Triangle and weave through the streets with its audience towards the city centre for its blood-curdling finale!

In addition to the fang-tastic Samhain procession, Waterford city will play host to a flurry of fun, family-friendly concerts, food stalls, tales and treats from October 25^th to October 27^th.

Full details of Samhain will be announced in the coming weeks as Ireland’s Oldest City transforms to bring the story of Samhain to life and celebrate Ireland as the Home of Halloween.

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Image : Waterford’s ’Fire and Shadows’ themed October Bank Holiday Weekend celebrates Halloween in Ireland’s Oldest City with Samhain inspired events.