Rates up 2.6%
Thursday, 16 February 2012
BALLYMONEY rates will increase by 2.6% this coming year after the rate was set at the special meeting of Ballymoney Borough Council held on Monday night. Councillors agreed to an increase of 3.05% for the Borough's domestic and non-domestic rates in 2012/13.
When combined with a regional rate increase of 2.2%, this means that ratepayers will see an increase of about 2.6%.
INVESTMENT
Commenting a Council Spokesperson said: "Investment in the borough will continue in 2012/13 and a major community facility is planned in Dervock, to add to those provided this year in Stranocum, Balnamore and Ballybogey. Council continues to support events like the North West 200, Milk Cup and Armoy Race of Legends which attract numerous visitors to the borough and this year will welcome the Olympic Flame to Dervock."
“Landfill tax paid to HMRC will cost almost £590,000 next year, an increase of over £60,000 or 1% on the rates."
Unlike some years there was cross party agreement with all main groupings stating that they were happy enough with the outcome.
However a last minute move by the DUP group to include £275,000 for work to Riverside Park in place of taking forward a £95,000 project to build a games arena in the Glebeside estate proved controversial.
CONTROVERSY
The exclusion of the Glebeside project was slammed as 'unacceptable and sickening,' after the meeting by Independent Councillor Roma McAfee though she welcomed the inclusion of the Riverside Park project.
Cllr Finlay, who proposed the change, said Riverside Park was something the public were quite concerned about.
Council Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer Mr John Dempsey then went through his report on the estimates that he is now required to produce under the new Local Government Finance Act.
Though certain issues, such as the age of the vehicle fleet, were raised, he said he was 'broadly satisfied.'
Director of C&LS Mrs McCleery took councillors though the Prudential Indicators, the Treasury Management Policy and the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy for 2011/12.
As stipulated in the new act these also must be passed with the passing of the rate, and are reviewed on an annual basis.
The rate was proposed by Cllr John Finlay, seconded by Cllr Jason Atkinson and passed.
HARD WORK
Alderman Bill Kennedy said: "I would thank the officers for all their hard work." But commenting on the Chief Financial Officers report which stated that the District Fund stands at 5.1% of total net expenditure which is just above the lower recommended limit of 5% and way below the upper limit of 7.5%, he said: "We are riding the donkey very close to the tail. I would have liked to have had this information sooner. But a lot of work was done under difficult circumstances and I hope this is appreciated by rate payers."
Councillor Philip McGuigan said: "There was a lot of meetings and a lot of work was done. People will read the paper and some may praise councillors or more likely criticise them."
He said that people who aren't elected sometimes don't fully understand the extent of this type of work done by elected representatives.
He continued: "3.05% is a good effort, over all with a few exceptions that my party were not happy with, we are happy!"
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