Council Strikes District Rates
February 7, 2019
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has struck its district rate for both domestic and non-domestic properties for the incoming year (2019/20) at 2.29%.
For a property valued at £150,000 within the Council area, the district rate element represents an increase of £0.84 a month, or an increase of £10.08 in the year.
Councillor Nathan Anderson, Chairman of the Corporate Services Committee, proposed the district rate at a Special Meeting of Council which took place on Thursday 7th February. He said: “Alongside our Community Planning partners, we want to create better lives for the people in Lisburn & Castlereagh. We have ambitious plans to support our communities and to develop a vibrant economy whilst recognising that our charges must be affordable to our ratepayers. Keeping rates at these low levels has been achieved through Councillors and Officers working in partnership to identify efficiencies in the way we work and carry out normal business.
“We will continue to jointly identify opportunities to make our work more efficient while continuing to ensure high levels of customer service across areas such as economic and business development, capital works, the management of waste and recycling, planning, leisure provision and community support and development.
“Enhancements to the flagship Dundonald International Ice Bowl and significant upgrades to the Billy Neill MBE Soccer Centre of Excellence have been included in the forthcoming budget. With the local community central to our service provision, we will be investing in a community sports hub in Ballybeen, a Community Hub and community network in Carryduff, further 3D sports pitches across the area and Duncan’s Park will be expanded to the North Lisburn Feeder Road to enhance park users’ enjoyment.
“We are also a partner in the Belfast Region City Deal and will be investing resources to support delivery of this programme. Over the next 15 years, the deal will support the Belfast Rapid Transit system extension into Carryduff, an Innovation Hub in partnership with the South Eastern Regional College and the delivery of a programme of improvements within Hillsborough to enhance our regional and international tourism product.
“We also have ambitious plans for hotel development in Lisburn and continuing regeneration work within the city centre.
“Waste management and recycling initiatives remain high on our agenda, as we continue with the necessary work of diverting waste from landfill. With ever-increasing costs of treatment and waste disposal, it is incumbent on the Council to keep moving forward on maximising recycling efforts.
“The budget reflects the future sustainable development, growth and enhancement of the area, building on investment to date in the best interests of the Lisburn and Castlereagh community,” he said.
Household and Business Rates consist of a Regional Rate which is set by central government and a District Rate which is set by the Council. The Regional Rate has not been set at this time.