Mid Ulster District Council announce rate increases and service cuts

Mid Ulster District Council has decided to raise its property tax by 7.3% for households and 4.3% for businesses.

The decision was taken at a special meeting of the Council on 6 February. The council said it was 'one of the most challenging rates setting processes ever faced by local government'.

The rate increase for both domestic customers (households) and non-domestic (businesses) is below inflation.

The change means the average domestic ratepayer will pay an additional 62p per week, or £32.24 a year, for the Council portion of their rates bill.

Despite the increase, the council also announced the closure of recycling centres in Castledawson, Coalisland, Draperstown, Fivemiletown and Moneymore.

The introduction of car parking charges in Cookstown and the end of grass verge cutting, and other cuts were also announced.

The council said it has a history of keeping district rate increases among the lowest in the region. However, the continuing difficult financial climate made setting a realistic budget that minimised the impact on local people was extremely difficult.

Speaking after the vote, Sinn Féin Councillor Cathal Mallaghan said the priority is to maintain and deliver fair pay rises for council workers, protect jobs and ensure that economic investment and work to transform Mid-Ulster can continue.

“Sinn Féin worked with other parties to minimise the burden on households by keeping the increase down to 62p per week for the average bill.

“We have also protected essential council services such as waste collection, sports, arts and leisure facilities, environmental projects and support for community and voluntary organisations who provide services for communities and improve the lives of all our citizens,” he said.

Cllr Mallaghan tabled the 7.3 pc rise after other council officers had recommended a 9.8 pc rise with the same reduction of services.

Independent cllr Barry Monteith called for the decision to be delayed by a week and councillor Kim Ashton proposed a 4.9 pc increase. UUP cllr Derek McKinney proposed a 4.5 pc increase.

Cllr Mallaghan said the collapse of the Executive has left the North vulnerable to Tory austerity.

“Mid Ulster District Council, like all local authorities here, is facing significant financial pressures because of years of Tory austerity cuts, Brexit, soaring energy costs and the cost-of-living crisis.

“The DUP’s refusal to form an Executive has left local councils with much reduced government support for rates and left public services at the mercy of savage Tory budget cuts from London,” he said.

The Council faces extreme financial pressures in 2023-2024. It says costs will amount to £10M more than 2022-2023.

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.

The council say this will offset minimise the impact on ratepayers while 'remaining focused on delivering the essential services residents expect'.