Councillors approve rates increase

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council has agreed district rate increases for domestic and non-domestic properties for 2017/18.
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At a special meeting of council this evening, the rate increase was set at 2.93 per cent for domestic properties and 2.91 per cent for non-domestic properties.

The Chairman of the Corporate Services Committee, Councillor Owen Gawith, said: “The council has been working hard to strike a district rate as low as possible, while still delivering and improving upon current services and developing new ones."

He continued: “Some of the areas that we have been progressing include the development of the Knockmore Link Road, upgrading of the Dundonald International Ice Bowl, the Public Realm Scheme in Hillsborough and the Lisburn Linkages Scheme, upgrades at the Carryduff Recycling Centre and Barbour Play area and replacement pitches at Dromara and Hillsborough. The council is also working to ensure new hotel development in the Lisburn and Castlereagh area.

"Capital Schemes scheduled to begin this year include the development of the council’s first 3G soccer pitch at Laurelhill Sportszone and new community facilities at the former Dunmurry High School site.

“Three masterplans - for Moat Park, The Billy Neill Soccer Centre of Excellence and Hydebank playing pitches - are due to begin and the council also has ambitious plans for a Carryduff Greenway. A new scheme at Stockdam Glen Linear Park is planned as is a Community Sports Hub at Ballybeen."

Cllr Gawith added: “I would like to assure residents that the council has worked very hard to ensure as low a rate position as is feasibly possible if Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is to forge ahead with its plans to maintain and improve upon its services to the residents of Lisburn and Castlereagh."