Kerry councillor calls for more transparency of Local Property Tax spending

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

A Kerry councillor has called for more transparency in the way Local Property Tax (LPT) is administered, amid complaints surrounding the levy.

Councillor Angie Bailey argued that showing the people where their money goes would improve public opinion on the tax.

LPT is an annual self-assessed property tax for homeowners based on the value of their property.

The tax is then assigned to local authorities to provide services, contributing around seven per cent annually to their public spending.

Cllr Bailey said people need re-assured that their money is making a local impact.

“Given the difficult times we’re living in, there’s a lot of people coming to me and giving out about the property tax,” said Cllr Bailey.

“If we can show people where the money from the property tax is going, then it’ll also help us in showing them how the money is being spent in their town.”

“And it’s not something that’s being put aside to fill a pothole up in County Leitrim, that the money is spent locally and to provide great events to them throughout the year.”