Galway County Council has still not hit the 65% compliance rate on the household charge that is needed to avoid further cuts to government funding - but council officials remain confident that the target will be met by mid-November.

A total of 62,851 people had registered for the Household Charge in Galway County as of Monday but the council remains on a compliance rate of 64%. However, a spokesperson for Galway County Council said that the council is confident that it can achieve the full 65% compliance rate required to avoid a further cut to its local government funding.

Households that have yet to pay will now face increased penalties and interest charges, with the cost of registration rising from €116 in September to €127 at the start of October. Homeowners who haven’t paid could now face legal action after final reminder letters were issued by the council.

A failure to reach the 65% compliance rate target established by the Environment Minister Phil Hogan would place the council in the firing line for further cuts to its funding. The council has already had its General Purpose Grant for the third quarter of 2012 slashed by €779,835 as part of the Minister’s efforts to incentivise local authorities to improve collection rates.

Local Authorities will have until mid-November to improve their compliance rates before their fourth quarter allocations will be calculated.

See full story in this week's Connacht Tribune.