Rates rise '˜among lowest in province'

Despite initial concerns of a percentage rise hitting double figures, councillors met on Wednesday with a view to formally striking a district rate of 2.98%.

That amounts to a 0.0081p rise to 0.2803 pence in the pound for domestic properties and a 0.6058p rise to 20.9216 pence in the pound for non-domestic properties.

Domestic Ratepayers locally will therefore see a 2.21% rise on the combined district and regional rate, which equates to an increase of £22.46 per year on a home with a capital value of £150,000.

Ahead of Wednesday’s meeting, Lisburn and Castlreagh City Council Corporate Services Committee Chairman, Alderman James Tinsley, said the rates increase would ensure Lisburn continued to have the lowest overall rates in Northern Ireland.

Councillors from Lisburn and Castlereagh had worked together, he said, to ensure rates in the city were kept as low as possible.

“I would like to pay special thanks to all our officers and members who have worked tirelessly over recent months to ensure the council strikes district rates as low as feasibly possible,” he said, “while still providing top quality facilities and value for money services across our city.

“I would like to thank all the chairs of committees who have convened numerous meetings, to deliberate long and hardover our ongoing costs, together with our chief-executive, directors and heads of service for their professional advice, guidance and input, and to the finance unit for all their hard work in compiling the estimates.

“Elected Members and Officers alike endeavoured to continue to maintain a low district rate, whilst absorbing great challenges and changes through the implementation of the Reform of Local Government. I believe that the rates which we are going to strike will give Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council one of the lowest, if not the lowest, district domestic rate in Northern Ireland.”