Ards and North Down Borough is for a district rate rise of 3.65 percent - a figure local politicians believe will be amongst the lowest in Northern Ireland over the coming financial year.
At the full monthly meeting of Ards and North Down Borough Council on Wednesday, elected representatives announced the 3.65 percent rise for both domestic and non-domestic properties for 2025/26. The UK inflation rate in December was 2.5 percent.
This rate rise amounts to an increase of approximately £1.75 per month for the average household and £5 per month for the average business in the borough.
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Last year, for 2024/25, the council set a rate with an increase of 5.98 percent for residents and businesses. The year before, for 2023/24, the council carried through a 6.8 percent increase.
Domestic rates are made up of a regional rate, set by Stormont or the Northern Ireland Office, and a district rate, set by Northern Ireland's councils, with both parts of the rate funding the respective responsibilities of Stormont and local government.
The district rate is for home and business owners, and pays for multiple public services, including waste management leisure/community centres, parks, building control, environmental health, events and recreation, arts and tourism.
While the parties at Ards and North Down Borough Council agreed on the new district rate, the meeting on Wednesday saw discord, with the DUP and Alliance Party accusing the UUP of grandstanding after UUP Alderman Philip Smith spoke for 10 minutes to make a “business-friendly” amendment to the rates-strike.
The UUP amendment states: “It is a strategic goal of the council to build its non-domestic rate base, and to that end a tax-based development fund has been established.
“To send a clear message that Ards and North Down is open for business, officers (will) produce a report in consultation with our business community to inform rates decisions for the remainder of this mandate. This will include the options of decoupling a non-domestic rate from a domestic rate and the development of a targeted small grant scheme to sustain and grow the local business base.”
The amendment states a report will be produced for initial review in September to allow time for the outcome to be factored into the 2026/27 rates decision-making process.
During the full council meeting at Bangor Castle on Wednesday, DUP Councillor Jennifer Gilmour said: “I do question whether this proposal needed to be brought this evening. The timing and positioning screams to me that someone was looking for headlines, rather than being actually constructive towards this process.”
She said: “We ruled out the decoupling of the rate this year, it is not the first year we had the option open to us. We haven’t felt it has been right for the council.”
Alliance Councillor Chris McCracken said the UUP amendment was "muddying the water.” He said: “This is raising expectations amongst the business community. It was part of the discussion already, and we have looked into the very complicated issues that can arise from these types of reforms. I think there is an element of performative politics here, that isn’t really providing a very clear message to Belfast.”
Despite the criticisms, both the DUP and Alliance agreed to the UUP amendment, which was passed with the new district rate.
The Lord Mayor, DUP Councillor Alistair Cathcart said: “Striking the rate is always a balance – between agreeing a figure that allows us to deliver the quality of services and to make the investments residents want, while seeking to ensure the financial burden placed on ratepayers is as low as possible.
“The decline in the non-domestic rate base in Ards and North Down is a significant challenge that needs to be addressed. More will be required, but we have taken the first steps in budgetary terms to support increased economic growth and prosperity.
“We are making significant strides in economic sustainability with major investments in the Newtownards Citizen’s Hub and the Bangor Waterfront Scheme. These projects, along with our support for the Bangor Business Improvement District and the strategic development of the former NIE site, will breathe new life into our economy.
“Our Vacant to Vibrant scheme aims to revitalise derelict commercial properties, while the Belfast City Deal Innovation Hub at Holywood will drive innovation and growth within the Borough’s creative sector. We are also streamlining operations and providing a catalyst for change with the office rationalisation and new civic office project, and funding prestigious events like Sea Bangor, Comber Earlies, Portavogie Tide and Turf and Armed Forces Day in Ards, which will boost our local economy and community spirit.”
He added: “Our commitment to social sustainability is unwavering. We are increasing grants for arts and heritage, community projects and sports development. A new community facilities strategy is in the works, along with expanded summer schemes and enhanced pitch maintenance, as well as funding to take forward the council’s new Leisure Strategy, with the focus on ensuring thriving communities.
“On the environmental front, we are allocating further funding for energy efficiency initiatives, introducing electric vehicles and charging points, and investing in biodiversity, tree planting strategies, outdoor recreation, and “In Bloom” grants. We are increasing funding for parks and greenway infrastructure and promoting sustainable waste measures at events. These efforts will help us create a greener, more sustainable environment for future generations.”
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