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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council confirms district rate freeze for 2021/22

February 25, 2021

At a special meeting of Council, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council agreed to freeze the district rate for 2021/22.

Chairman of the Corporate Services Committee, Alderman Paul Porter said; “On behalf of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, I am delighted to announce a freeze on our district rate for the first time in the history of this Council.

During the last year, we have seen our communities rise to the challenge of COVID-19. Community and volunteer groups in partnership with our Council, have supported those in need. We have provided around £700k in grant funding to help provide meals, food parcels and support, making a real difference in our communities.

"We also helped our businesses access £700k in support funding. We have done all of this whilst continuing to deliver vital services every day.”

Outlining the Council’s priorities for the coming year, Alderman Porter added; “As well as a freeze on rates, I am delighted to announce exciting plans for the next 12-18 months, which will see investment of over £1m directly supporting our businesses and communities including:

  • £280k in grants to improve facilities owned or managed by communities;
  • £100k funding for sports, arts, culture and shared history initiatives;
  • £600k in new and refurbished community play parks;
  • £180k in improvements to our towns and villages including new outdoor spaces to support hospitality and other enhancements to our retail spaces
  • £65k to support our exciting centenary programme in this centenary year.

As the pandemic continues to bring challenges, please be assured that we stand with you and we will keep supporting our communities and businesses. I look forward to continuing to work with you.”

Corporate Services Vice Chairman, Alderman Stephen Martin added; “The past year has been very difficult for everyone. We each face personal challenges as we continue to balance life, work and other responsibilities in the face of this pandemic.

"The plans we have outlined today are a starting point for recovery. We hope to build on this approach for the future alongside our longer term strategic planning processes, with your views at the centre of our decision making.

"I hope that these plans, coupled with freezing the district rate, will help us to start building optimism for our communities and a better outlook for our businesses.

"I wish to thank our Council staff, our business community and our residents for continuing to work in partnership to overcome these challenges together.”

 

For further details on Council priorities for the year ahead, please read our Local Investment Plan.

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