Rates to rise by over seven per-cent in Mid Ulster

HOUSEHOLD rates in the Mid Ulster District Council area will increase by more than seven per-cent, it has been announced.

At a special meeting of the local authority last night, Mid Ulster councillors agreed to a 7.3 per-cent rise in the household rates for the 2023/24 financial year.

This means that an average domestic ratepayer in Mid Ulster will pay an additional 62p per week more for the council portion of their rates bill.

Meanwhile, the non-domestic rate increase for Mid Ulster was held at 4.32 per-cent.

A spokesperson for Mid Ulster council said the continuing difficult financial climate, high levels of inflation, rising global costs of energy, and most 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 had been “extremely difficult”.

The spokesperson said, “The council faces extreme financial pressures in 2023-2024, amounting to more than £10m in comparison to 2022-2023, with significant increases in payroll due to local and national pay agreements reached in 2022 and expected in 2023, as well as energy and fuel costs impacting on the figure.

“A proposed mix of savings, efficiencies, and increased income generation of approximately £4.75m has been identified to offset the additional costs and minimise the impact on ratepayers; while remaining focused on delivering the essential services residents expect, as well as reflecting what residents value the most.

For more information, visit www.midulstercouncil.org/rates.

For advice on rates, housing benefit and rates relief visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/rates-help.