Environment Minister Alex Attwood has today announced that all district councils have struck their rates for the 2013/2014 financial year.
The Minister said: “The district rates are struck by 15th February each year by individual district councils, to meet the costs of local services, including leisure and recreational services, economic development and environmental services.”
One of the features of local government in Northern Ireland is the fact that most of its income comes from locally set taxes. This preserves local accountability and the independence of our councils.
District rates vary from district to district, reflecting the rateable resources and spending policies of individual councils.
The Minister added: “I am pleased to announce that the vast majority of councils have kept their rates rises to a minimum. This year, the district rates show percentage variations of between -0.01% and 3.77%, when compared with the 2012/2013 figures.
“The Northern Ireland Executive is responsible for deciding on the level of the regional rate, which accounts for just over half a typical rates bill. In 2012/2013 the regional rate increased by the level of inflation and, subject to Assembly approval and in line with the Executive Budget, this will continue to be the case over the next two years.
"As a result that part of rate bills will remain constant in real terms over this period, and will apply to both households and commercial ratepayers. This financial restraint by the Executive recognises the commitment to protecting household budgets while not adversely affecting regional rates revenue.”
Notes to editors:
1. District councils are required by law to strike their domestic and non-domestic rates by 15 February each year.
2. District rates are struck by individual district councils to meet the costs of local services, including leisure and recreational services; economic development; and environmental services. A link to the table showing the district rates struck for 2013/2014 is available at: http://www.doeni.gov.uk/local_government_funding
3. From 2007/2008 domestic rates have been determined on the basis of capital valuations of property as assessed by the Land and Property Services. The valuation date is fixed as at 1 January 2005. Full details about rating reform can be found on the Department of Finance and Personnel website, http://www.ratingreviewni.gov.uk.
4. Domestic and non-domestic regional rates are struck each year, by the Department of Finance and Personnel, to help pay for central services such as health, education, roads and transport. As was the case last year, the Regional Rate will increase with the level of inflation for the period 2013/2014 to 2014/2015, using the GDP deflator at the time the budget is set. This will be 2.7% each year over the two year period, subject to Assembly approval and in line with the Executive Budget.
5. The combination of district and regional rates is used to calculate the rates bills for ratepayers.
6. For media enquiries please contact the DOE Press Office on 028 90256058 or out of office hours, contact EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
The Minister said: “The district rates are struck by 15th February each year by individual district councils, to meet the costs of local services, including leisure and recreational services, economic development and environmental services.”
One of the features of local government in Northern Ireland is the fact that most of its income comes from locally set taxes. This preserves local accountability and the independence of our councils.
District rates vary from district to district, reflecting the rateable resources and spending policies of individual councils.
The Minister added: “I am pleased to announce that the vast majority of councils have kept their rates rises to a minimum. This year, the district rates show percentage variations of between -0.01% and 3.77%, when compared with the 2012/2013 figures.
“The Northern Ireland Executive is responsible for deciding on the level of the regional rate, which accounts for just over half a typical rates bill. In 2012/2013 the regional rate increased by the level of inflation and, subject to Assembly approval and in line with the Executive Budget, this will continue to be the case over the next two years.
"As a result that part of rate bills will remain constant in real terms over this period, and will apply to both households and commercial ratepayers. This financial restraint by the Executive recognises the commitment to protecting household budgets while not adversely affecting regional rates revenue.”
Notes to editors:
1. District councils are required by law to strike their domestic and non-domestic rates by 15 February each year.
2. District rates are struck by individual district councils to meet the costs of local services, including leisure and recreational services; economic development; and environmental services. A link to the table showing the district rates struck for 2013/2014 is available at: http://www.doeni.gov.uk/local_government_funding
3. From 2007/2008 domestic rates have been determined on the basis of capital valuations of property as assessed by the Land and Property Services. The valuation date is fixed as at 1 January 2005. Full details about rating reform can be found on the Department of Finance and Personnel website, http://www.ratingreviewni.gov.uk.
4. Domestic and non-domestic regional rates are struck each year, by the Department of Finance and Personnel, to help pay for central services such as health, education, roads and transport. As was the case last year, the Regional Rate will increase with the level of inflation for the period 2013/2014 to 2014/2015, using the GDP deflator at the time the budget is set. This will be 2.7% each year over the two year period, subject to Assembly approval and in line with the Executive Budget.
5. The combination of district and regional rates is used to calculate the rates bills for ratepayers.
6. For media enquiries please contact the DOE Press Office on 028 90256058 or out of office hours, contact EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
Story by DOE
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