Councils require £2bn funding from ratepayers

RATEPAYERS in Tyrone are being required to raise just under £2 billion for their respective district councils, according to new figures which have just been released by the Department for Communities.

The county is currently covered by three local government districts: Derry City and Strabane, Fermanagh and Omagh and Mid-Ulster.

According to the summary details of income and expenditure estimates from the 11 district councils across Northern Ireland, each council has estimated rates support grants in the absence of indicative budget figures for rate-setting purposes.

In Fermanagh and Omagh, the council is aiming to raise approximately £46.7 million, with an anticipated rates support grant of around £400,000 for the upcoming financial year. Mid-Ulster plans to raise £59.4 million from its rates bill, supplemented by an expected grant of around £1.8 million. Meanwhile, Derry City and Strabane District are looking to raise £78 million, with an anticipated £700,000 rates support grant.

The figures also shed light on anticipated net expenditure by the 11 councils, including those covering Tyrone. Mid-Ulster shows the highest increase in spending for 2024/2025 compared to the previous year, with an expected rise of £3.7 million, representing a percentage increase of 6.7.

Derry City and Strabane Council are expecting a 5.3 per-cent increase, with expenditure rising by £3.7 million to just over £78 million. Fermanagh and Omagh are also witnessing a significant rise, with expenditure expected to increase by £1.9 million to £46.7 million.