Derry City and Strabane District Council strikes the rate

FOLLOWING some fiery exchanges between members, Derry City and Strabane District Council have agreed to increase rates by 6.5 per-cent, with the proposal for the hike passing by just a single vote.

The rise was supported by both Sinn Féin and the DUP along with the UUP. Members from those parties stated that although they did not want to increase rates they felt the rise was needed to ‘secure council jobs’ and to ensure good quality services.

The SDLP, People Before Profit and the independents voted against the rise stating that it would put an unnecessary burden on people who are already struggling to pay for basic amenities.

One of those who voted against the rise was independent councillor Paul Gallagher, who said he believed that the bigger parties and Stormont were letting the people of Strabane down.

Cllr Gallagher stated, “Sinn Féin have been selling the return to Stormont to us for two years saying it would fix everything but the first act is to increase rates. What kind of message is that sending to people who are out there struggling to pay for things?”

This was rebutted by Sinn Fein Cllr Paul Boggs who called councilor Gallagher’s position on apposing the rates ‘unrealistic’.

Cllr Boggs said, “No councillor steps into this chamber to increase rates but we have to be realistic and face facts; if we want to have better services we have to pay for it.

“There are no alternatives from those who oppose this rise… So we have no other option but to vote it through; we want to at least keep services as they are.”

Independent Strabane councillor Raymond Barr asked Cllr Boggs if he would, as a Strabane representative, ‘honestly’ say that he believed residents of the town received value for money.

Cllr Barr asked, “Cllr Boggs will you admit to shop keepers who are forced to close by rate rises that you voted to support them?”

Sinn Féin councilor Sandra Duffy then accused councillors in the chamber of “childish politics”.

The SDLP also opposed the rise with Derry member Brian Tierney stating that the party did not wish to burden rates payers with more expenses at a time when cost of living was so high.

When the vote was then taken the count came in at 18 for the rise with 17 against and five abstaining.