Property owners owe huge amount of rates in Moyle

THERE has been a huge rise in the amount of rates money owed by property owners in the Moyle area from just over £300,000 at the end of 2008 to a combined overall figure of £1.1 million at the end of 2009.

A Council report said correspondence has been received from Land and Property Services providing an update of 'Aged Debt' for the Moyle District Council area.

Land and Property Services collect rates on behalf of Moyle Council and other councils in Northern Ireland.

The report said: 'There has been a significant increase in debt in the 2009 year, 233 per cent, with the total debt increasing from 320,559 at the end of 2008 to 1,101,668 at the end of 2009. The largest increases being in the Ballylough, Bonamargy & Rathlin and Glenshesk Wards.'

The percentage increase in debt for the various Council wards in Moyle district between 2008 and 2009 were as follows: Armoy - 225 per cent; Ballylough - 833 per cent; Bonamargy & Rathlin - 703 per cent; Bushmills - 289 per cent; Carnmoon - 243 per cent; Dalriada - 173 per cent; Dunseverick - 383 per cent; Glenaan - 386 per cent; Glenariff - 138 per cent; Glendun - 121 per cent; Glenshesk - 471 per cent; Glentaisie - 128 per cent; Kinbane - 217 per cent; Knocklayd - 140 per cent; Mosside and Moyarget - 118 per cent.

Moyle Council's Assistant Chief Executive and Head of Corporate Services, Moira Quinn, told the Times: "In terms of reasons for the increase in debt, the economic climate is the most significant.

"There were also system problems which hampered recovery activity for Land and Property Services, leading to an increase in debt. "Specific Ministerial targets are now set for debt recovery and this has been given high priority," she said.