25 October 2000

SAM FOSTER PLEDGES TO HELP CURTAIL DISTRICT COUNCIL RATE BILLS NEXT YEAR

District Council district rate bills will rise less sharply next year than would have been the case under Direct Rule policies.

That was a key pledge made by Mr Sam Foster, MLA, Minister of the Environment and is a direct result from the Draft Budget and Programme for Government.

Mr Foster said: "The resources element of the DOE's General Exchequer Grant is used to help top up revenue for District Councils. This financial support for District Councils has been declining in real terms over a number of years. I have persuaded my colleagues in the Executive that this decline must stop.

"I intend to pump an additional £460,000 into this area next year, bringing the total grant to £19 million. This will allow councils that qualify for this grant aid to avoid having to impose abnormal increases in the district rates, thus continuing to provide the level of services expected by their communities. Without this additional provision, less well off councils would either have had to increase their district rates substantially, cut services, or consider some combination of the two.

"Further, there are many industrial properties throughout Northern Ireland that are currently subject to statutory derating. In turn this means that District Councils lose revenue by not being able to collect rates. The draft Budget provides Councils with almost £25.7 million to compensate for such a loss of revenue.

"In addition to this, the extra £10 million for the environment includes elements which help District Councils with the costs of implementing their Waste management plans and with other costs arising from EU Directives. Again the ratepayer will benefit from lower bills than would otherwise be necessary."

Mr Foster concluded: "This financial support for local Councils is further illustration of how a local administration can work for local people. I will do everything in my power to ensure that rises in District Council Rates are kept as low as possible next year."

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

For further information please contact Philip Maguire, DOE Press Office, Tel 028 9054 0013.