NI rates: Councils raise district rates
Antrim and Newtownabbey
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has agreed a 4.96% increase to its district rate for 2025-2026.This equates to an increase of £3.03 per month for an average household.Last year, the council applied an increase of 4.97%.The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Neil Kelly, said: "The council is focused on the ongoing 'financial pressures' we are all facing, and we have worked tirelessly to maintain and deliver the most modest increase to the rates."
Ards and North Down
Ards and North Down Borough Council has agreed an increase of 3.65% to its district rate for 2025-26.It amounts to an average increase of £1.75 each month for the average household and an average of £5 per business.Mayor Alistair Cathcart said: "Together, we are building a sustainable borough that we can all be proud of. There is much to be done and much to look forward to in the year ahead."I want to reassure our ratepayers that we will continue to scrutinise council spending. "We remain committed to making further efficiency savings wherever possible while maintaining and enhancing our services and continuing to invest in the borough," he added.
Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon
Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council has agreed to increase household rates by 3.91%.This amounts to an average increase of £1.81each month for the average household.For a business in the borough with a net asset value of £50,000 the increase is approximately £49 per month.Last year, the council applied an increase of 5.17% to the district rates.
Belfast City
Belfast City Council has agreed to increase household rates by 5.99%.This amounts to an average increase of £2.76 each month for the average household, an average of £45.01 per for an office unit or £36.87 for a retail unit.Elected members also agreed this year's rate could be re-examined - up until the date by which the rates must be legally set (15 February 2025) - in the event of funds coming from the NI Executive to cover increases in National Insurance contributions.
Causeway Coast and Glens
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has agreed an increase of 3.65% to its district rate for 2025-2026.It amounts to an average increase of £1.80 per month for the average household, or £8.98 per month for a business with a net average income of £10,000."Like all businesses and organisations, council faces significant financial pressures, including utility costs, increased insurance costs and high levels of inflation, all of which are putting a considerable strain on revenue," a spokesperson said. Last year, councillors agreed an increase of 6.86% for householders, following a 7.95% the previous year.
Derry City and Strabane
Derry City and Strabane District Council has agreed a 4.92% increase to its district rate.This will see an average rates bill increase by £2.41 per month. District rates will increase by 6.5% in Derry and Strabane District Council last year. A spokesperson said the rates will allow the council to continue to provide "critical frontline services to ratepayers with a clear focus and commitment to protecting jobs as well as the continued provision of funding to organisations who rely on Council support to deliver community services and projects".
Fermanagh and Omagh
Councillors in Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have agreed to a district rate increase of 3.76% for 2025-2026.This amounts to an average increase of £1.50 each month for the average household and an average of £4.00 per month for businesses. The council said it expects to generate about £45.4m of rates income to support the delivery of services across the district, including developing waste facilities and leisure centre upgrades. Last year, councillors voted for a 4.72% rise.
Lisburn and Castlereagh
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council have agreed to increase the district rate, setting by 3.99%. For the average household, this equates to an additional £1.64 per month.Last year, the council agreed a 3.98% increase from last year's rates for the district.Chair of Corporate Services Committee, Councillor Nicholas Trimble, said: "We recognise that real cost of living pressures continue to impact people's everyday lives and we have worked hard try to keep the rate increase as low as possible. "This small increase will allow us to continue to protect essential services and deliver key projects and initiatives that will shape the future of our area and benefit residents for years to come.
Mid and East Antrim
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council agreed a 3.99% increase for both domestic and non-domestic properties.It means the average household rates bill will increase by £3.92 per month and an average of £44 per week for businesses. Last year, average bills rose by £72.03 a year after a rates increase of 9.78% was agreed."After extensive discussions and a review of our budgetary needs, we have worked hard to keep the rate increase as low as possible in light of ongoing financial pressures for Council – including the Employer National Insurance contributions hike announced last year, the sharp decline in our Rates Support Grant by central government and ongoing rising operational costs," a council spokesperson said.
Mid Ulster
Mid Ulster District Council has agreed a 5.1% increase to its district rates for 2025-2026.The rise means the average household rates bill will increase by about £1.96 per month.Last year, Mid Ulster District Council has agreed to increase household rates by 5.9%, following on from a rise of 7.3% the previous year."The continuing difficult financial climate, unavoidable pressures including a rise in Employer National Insurance Contributions and National Pay Award increases, and significantly, a shortfall in central government funding received by the Council through the Rates Support Grant meant setting a realistic budget that minimised the impact on local people was extremely difficult," a spokesperson said."A proposed mix of savings, efficiencies, and increased income generation has been identified to offset the additional costs and minimise the impact on ratepayers."
Newry, Mourne and Down
A 3.98% increase in the district rates has been agreed by councillors in the Newry, Mourne and Down district.This equates to an annual increase of £2.06 per month for the average household.This is down from the increase of 5.99% agreed by the council last year.The council's chairperson, Cllr Pete Byrne, said: "In the next financial year we will prioritise the delivery of our front line services, businesses and vulnerable people and strengthen relationships with local stakeholders and funders to work smarter and better for our residents. "To remain responsive to local needs, the Council will proceed to action its ambitious transformational agenda to improve its resilience, efficiency and delivery so that we can continue to get things done even in the most testing of times."
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