At a special council meeting tonight, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council set its domestic and non-domestic district rates for the incoming year. Despite the current financial environment, both rates have been kept well below the level of inflation.
For the average household within the council area with a capital value of £145,000, this means an increase of 68p per week or £2.96 per month.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Chair of the Council’s Corporate Services Committee said: “We are keenly aware of the financial pressures our ratepayers are facing. Issues such as spiralling energy costs and food prices - as well as the rise in interest and inflation rates - also affect us as a council.
“We have not taken the decision lightly to increase rates - but the reality is we are responsible for vital services that must be delivered. The council is currently facing additional cost pressures of £7 million - driven by factors such as the unprecedented rise in the cost of utilities, waste services, materials and supply contracts as well as salary costs.
“We want to deliver on what’s important for people: – operating high-quality leisure facilities, delivering essential services and turning our ambitious plans for the area into reality.
“This includes a multi-million pound investment at Dundonald International Ice Bowl which once completed, will bring jobs and economic growth to the area.
“Work is also due to start soon on two fabulous new 3G pitches at our leisure facilities in Lisburn and Carryduff - and we will be continuing to invest in our highly-successful sports programme, ‘Keep the Ball Rolling’ which supports local sports clubs and voluntary groups.
“As a council, we have a statutory responsibility for enterprise development and the free ‘Go For It’ programme - which provides mentoring to start-ups and support to entrepreneurs – has been very successful. Once it concludes later this year, we will then be involved in delivering its successor programme, the Northern Ireland Entrepreneurship Support Service, which will help businesses here grow and prosper.
“Going forward, our Labour Market Partnership action plan will continue to fund a range of employment programmes and alongside local employers, showcase a wide range of employment opportunities.
“Our focus will also be on sustainability and helping to embed a green agenda across the council area as well as keeping the community active and promoting mental wellbeing.”
Notes:
For 2023-24, the Council’s rates will increase by an average of 6.41% to deliver a balanced budget. The domestic district rate increase is 7.49% and the non-domestic district rate increase is 5.23%. LCCC continues to have the lowest domestic rates in Northern Ireland.
FURTHER INFORMATION
How to calculate your rates bill
Your bill is calculated using three pieces of information:
- Capital value of your home (domestic properties) or net annual valuation (business properties)
- District rate - set by councils
- Regional rate - set by central government
To calculate your bill, use the rates calculator on the Department of Finance website here
To find more information on your bill, help with paying your rates or how to pay your rates bill, go to the NI Direct website by clicking here
Domestic rate bill for householders
The domestic rate bill is calculated as follows:
capital value of your property x domestic district rate + domestic regional rate = £ to be paid
If you would like more information about the capital value of your property, please visit the Department of Finance website here
Business rate bill
The business rate bill is calculated as follows:
net annual valuation of business premises x non-domestic district rate + non-domestic regional rate = £ to be paid
A revaluation of non-domestic properties has taken place. Further information can be found on the Department of Finance website here
Rates relief
Help available for domestic rates
For information regarding domestic rates relief, please visit the NI Direct website here
Help available for business rates
There are a number of reliefs available to business ratepayers. For more information about these, as well as allowances and how to apply for them, visit the NI business info website here
How we plan to use your rates in 2023-24
The infographic shows some of the ways the Council plans to spend income from rates during 2023/24.
You can also download and view this document by clicking here.