History was made at a meeting of the Council last night (Monday) when for the first time ever the local part of the rates was kept the same as last year. It is understood that was achieved by taking money from cash reserves built up over the last few years. That is money which will be taken from Moyle if not spent when a new 'Super Council' is established which is due to come in next year. Council Chairperson, Cllr Cara McShane (Sinn Fein) said it was a good result for ratepayers particularly in the current economic climate and she said it was a result of the resourcefulness of the Council over the years. And the 0 per cent rate was achieved despite several new schemes totalling near 160,000 being pencilled in for the Glens. Last week when the provisional rates estimates were put forward to councillors there was uproar from councillors like Glens Sinn Fein representative Paudie McShane who felt the area was getting very little compared to other parts of the district. Last night (Monday) he was able to get several schemes included in the rates. Projects included are Cushendall Beachfront enhancements and a new Car Park and Tourism Amenity Site at the Red Bay Amenity area. Other projects included, the development of a viewing point at Ardclinis Lay-by and environmental improvements to Waterfoot Car Park. Total estimates for the improvement schemes are 159,000. Cllr Mc Shane welcomed Council's support for the schemes saying, "It is important that Council is seen to promote Tourism in the Glens as well as the rest of Moyle." Last week it was heard the starting point for a rates rise was 8.37 per cent, which was hailed as one of the lowest for years. But after further deliberations last night (Monday) the rates rise was reduced to zero per cent. During initial discussions last week there was concern from some councillors that the Glens area did not seem to be getting much out of the rates. Cllr Paudie McShane (Sinn Fein) said: "I don't mean to be parochial, there are excellent facilities and schemes that will benefit the whole of Moyle and there are schemes in Ballycastle and Bushmills which are excellent, but I would like to see more for the Glens." Ballycastle Independent councillor Seamus Blaney said while he agreed to the aspirations for the Glens he said the first four or five schemes on the rates list were mentioned last year and he said they should be pushed through this year. Regarding funding for a tourism scheme in Ballintoy he said if it was not moved forward this year funding grants will be lost. Cllr McShane said he supports all the schemes in Moyle but thought the Glens should get more than was originally proposed for that area. He said a number of tourism related schemes were on the go for other areas of Moyle but said the Northern Ireland Tourist Board had more or less left out the Glens "for some unknown reason" and said if schemes were widely distributed it would add to the whole area. Cushendun-based Independent councillor Randal McDonnell accused Councillor McShane of wanting to spend money "for the sake of it to be equal to somebody else". SDLP councillor Orla Black said many people are struggling because of the credit crunch and said while she wants to see more things coming to the Glens she said "there is no way people will want to pay for it this year". Cushendall Sinn Fein councillor Oliver McMullan said he was "amazed" at the rates estimates and said that if you tried to do an equality impact assessment on the distribution of the schemes you would be "sorely troubled". He said the only thing on the tourism related list was a lay-by at Coolranny on the Torr Road and he said the absence of schemes in the Glens would "totally alienate" people there. If you put the rates estimates, as they stood last week, to the Glens people, he said they would realise they are not getting an equal share. Cllr McShane said it was not about spending cash for the sake of it but said the Council had reserve savings which will be lost to the 'Super Council' when it comes in and he said the money should be spent locally. He said it would be a case of "throwing away" money saved by Moyle ratepayers. Cllr Blaney said the councillors realised they worked for the whole of Moyle but he said the tourism schemes proposed for Ballintoy, Ballycastle, Rathlin and Coolranny will lose funding if they are not proceeded with now. Cllr McMullan felt tourism chiefs had failed the Glens. He added: "The Glens is supposed to be the gateway to everywhere - all-singing and dancing tourism." Ulster Unionist councillor Willie Graham said the schemes which were set aside last year had to be dealt with first. Cllr McDonnell said the Council should be trying to reduce spending. "This anxiety to spend it before the end of our Council is wrong. We should in fact be giving it back to the ratepayers." And Council Vice-Chairperson, Cllr Robert McIlroy (DUP), said: "We should not be spending money for the sake of spending money". Cllr McMullan said: "You can't give back to the people what they own. To date I don't see any legacy, that is something the ratepayer deserves." SDLP councillor Madeline Black said people in Moyle are concerned that when the re-organisation of local government comes in the area will be "forgotten about" and she said a legacy should be left for local people. Council Chief Executive Richard Lewis said the Council has 1.2 million in revenue reserves and 1.5 million in capital reserves and said the second amount can't be spent on anything other than capital schemes. Council Chairperson, Cllr Cara McShane (Sinn Fein), said that of all the councils in the North, Moyle had the least facilities and even the Council offices were in an old school building. Cllr Graham said they should exercise caution about using up reserves in case the new Councils do not come in until after the proposed date of May 2011. Mr Lewis said if the changeover was guaranteed for May 2011 they would be "quids in" but he said it may not go through for a number of years after that and at the same time if reserve money is not used up it is effectively lost for the exclusive use of Moyle ratepayers. At a meeting of the Council last week the following schemes were agreed to by the Council: * Ballintoy Harbour tourism - 47,500. * Ballycastle Seafront - 90,000. * Ballycastle Harbour - 57,500. * Rathlin Harbour tourism - 75,000. * Coolranny tourism - 6,000. * IT Development at Council - 50,000. * Council Health and Safety - 10,000. * Community schemes - 200,000. * Bushmills/Mosside Centres -10,000. * Ballycastle Partnership - 10,000. * Christmas lights - 10,000. * Marina building fees - 70,000. * Bushmills Tourist Centre - 400,000. * Sheskburn facilities - 20,000. * Ballycastle Tennis Courts - 30,000. * Bushmills changing room - 150,000. * GAA pitch at Quay Road - 10,000. * Cushendall Caravan Park - 30,000. * Ballycastle traffic calming - 60,000. * Replacement equipment - 146,000. * Ballycastle Harbour and Rathlin Harbour dredging - 70,000.