Another historic milestone in local government passed on Thursday 12 February 2015 when Newry Mourne and Down District Council struck its rate for the first time to meet the cost of services it will provide for the year 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016.
These services include leisure and recreational services, economic development and environmental services as well as new services transferring from central government.
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Historic setting of the rates: Presiding Councillor Charlie Casey, Mr Liam Hannaway , Chief Executive Designate, and the Deputy Presiding Councillor, Declan Mc Ateer pictured just before the setting of the rates for the new Newry Mourne and Down District Council.[/caption]
As a result of current central government spending cuts, Councils are facing unexpected financial constraints due to 15% reduction in many funding streams. This has had an impact on the amount of some of the monies which central government will be providing to Councils. Councils have also raised concerns regarding the funding provided towards the costs of functions moving from central government to local government, i.e.(Planning, Off Street Parking, etc) These issues are reflected in the rates increase for the forthcoming year.
Due to the convergence of the legacy Councils of Down District Council, Newry and Mourne District Council and an electoral ward of Banbridge District Council (Ballyward), the rate set is not straightforward.
Domestic Rates
On a comparative basis for the two combined Councils District Rates the Domestic Rate for 2015/2016 will be 0.3528 pence (2014/2015 equivalent 0.3372 pence) which is an increase for the combined Council District Rate of 4.62%. The Regional Rate (set by NI Assembly) is indicated at a figure of 0.4042 pence (0.3987 pence 2014/15).
When the District Rate and Regional Rate are added together on a comparison basis of the two combined Councils, the rate of a property valued at £100,000 will be £757 for 2015/2016 (£736 for 2014/2015) representing an overall increase of 2.87%.
The outworking of this is that the rates increase/decrease for those living in the legacy Council areas on a £100,000 property value will be as follows:
Ballyward (previously Banbridge District) a decrease in rates payable of £18. (Rate Bill 2015/16 of £757).
The Legacy Down District an increase on rates payable of £7. (Rate Bill 2015/16 of £757).
The Legacy Newry and Mourne District an increase on rates payable of £27. (Rate Bill 2015/16 of £755). (There is a small amount of transition relief from the D.O.E. included in this figure).
Non-Domestic Rate
Due to the revaluation of these properties, it is not possible to do a like for like comparison on prior year’s figures.
The Non-Domestic District Rate for 2015/2016 will be 21.9679 pence (2014/2015, 25.0943 pence)The Non-Domestic Regional Rate indicated for 2015/2016 will be 31.860 pence (2014/2015, 33.9100 pence)
However, it should be acknowledged that property values have changed due to revaluation of Non Domestic Property which will apply from 2015/16.
The Designate Presiding Officer, Councillor Charlie Casey, said: “This is an historical event as our new Council sets its rate for the first year of operation. We are currently in austere times when there has been a reduction in the Rates Support Grant from the DOE between 2014/15 to 2015/16 by £458,350 yet our citizens have high expectations of service delivery by us.
“We want to minimize the impact on the rates of absorption of new services and make the change as seamless as possible. The challenge is now to deliver on a detailed programme over the next year and to continue to deliver the high quality service our citizens expect and deserve. I wish to thank my fellow Councillors and Senior Management for their co-operation in achieving a realistic rate for 2015/16”.
Mr Liam Hannway, Chief Executive Designate said: “Over the past months the Councillors have faced challenges over the rates process with the figures normally available from central government to inform the process being unavailable until recently.
“Now the rate has been struck we will as a Council concentrate on providing strong civic leadership and delivering on the strategic priorities within our new Corporate Plan 2015-2019. Our Capital programme aligns to the 8 Strategic priorities in our Corporate Plan 2015-2019 and will enable us in Year 1 of the Council to begin to deliver on our objectives for the future development of the district.”
The 8 Strategic Priorities are to : * Become one of the premier tourism destinations on the island of Ireland. * Attract investment and supported the creation of new jobs. * Support improved health and wellbeing outcomes. * Protect our natural and built environment. * Lead the regeneration of our urban and rural areas. * Advocate on behalf of the ratepayers specifically in relation to those issues which really matter to them. * Empower and improve the capacity of our communities.
Mr Hannaway added: “Transformed and modernised the Council, providing accessible as well as value for money services. The next year will be very challenging as we deal with the integration of transferring functions and new powers such as community planning when we will work in partnership with other key players to deliver improved outcomes for local people and communities within the District.
“This is both an exciting and challenging time for us all and we are determined as a Council to deliver on our ambitions and to make a real difference to the economic, health, education as well as the environmental wellbeing of this District, making it one of the most desirable places on the island to live, work and visit”.
Over the next year the Council will deliver a substantial programme of capital developments throughout the Newry Mourne and Down District to the value of £9.3 million. These include a number of schemes such as:
* Phase 2 of Newry Leisure Centre * Down Leisure Centre * Saintfield Community Hall * Repairs to Camlough Lake * NewryTown Hall Upgrade * Downpatrick Recycling Centre * Drumnakelly Transfer Station
The Corporate Plan and budget also sets out indicative projects for the remainder of the Council Term eg Newcastle Gateway Centre/Newry Civic Centre.
The Council will also deliver on a detailed programme of major/minor events during 2015/16.
Whilst the district council sets the district rate, it is Land and Property Services that collects it.
Information on the breakdown of the Council rates is available on the Council websites.
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