16 February 2006

DISTRICT RATES FOR 2006/2007

Environment Minister Jeff Rooker has announced that all district councils have struck their rates for the 2006/2007 financial year.

The Minister said: "The district rates are struck before 15 February each year by individual district councils to meet the costs of local services, including refuse collection and disposal; street cleansing; leisure and recreation facilities etc. District councils strike a domestic rate and a non-domestic rate."

This year, the rates show percentage increases of between 1.94% and 9.99%, when compared with the 2005/2006 figures. District rates vary from district to district, reflecting the rateable resources and spending policies of individual councils.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. District councils are required by law to strike their domestic and non-domestic rates before 15 February each year.

2. District rates are struck by individual district councils to meet the costs of local services, including refuse collection and disposal; street cleansing; leisure and recreation facilities etc.

3. 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.

4. The combination of district and regional rates is used to calculate the rates bills for ratepayers.

5. For further information please contact DOE Press Office, Telephone 028 9054 0003.

Table showing figures for the District Rates For 2006/2007

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