Local Ballymoney Councillors have responded to the 1.5% increase in rates across the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council for 2019/20, due to commence in April.
John Finlay, DUP;
“The DUP party group’s view ahead of tonight’s rate-setting meeting was that upward pressures of £3.25m on council’s payroll costs regrettably made a fourth consecutive annual rates freeze impossible without impacting front-line Council services.
The lowest increase achievable was 1.5%, and we are pleased Council agreed this figure, despite other parties proposing an unsustainable 0% (UUP) and an unnecessary 2.5% increase (Sinn Fein).
The 1.5% increase approved tonight falls below the rate of inflation and will help sustain and grow businesses and minimise pressures on domestic budgets. We are pleased the new Council’s record in keeping rates low is the best in Northern Ireland.”
Darryl Wilson, UUP;
“Tonight the Ulster Unionist Party proposed that the rates within the Borough be frozen for another year. Unfortunately a coalition spearheaded by Alliance/SDLP, backed by DUP, SF, PUP and TUV voted for a 1.5% increase citing fears over cuts to public services.
The UUP grouping have in the past proposed a rates freeze successfully amid scaremongering from others regarding front line services, these predictions have proven to be short sighted as front line services continue to be rolled out without impact.
No doubt our rivals will claim we are electioneering, even though we have had the same stance for over 3 years (when no elections were looming)
The entire concept of rolling 4 councils together (Ballymoney, Coleraine, Moyle and Limavady) was to deliver efficency for homeowners and local business, not to add costs.”
We’ve emailed the TUV & SF Councillors for their response l, but have yet to receive a reply. We will update this page accordingly.
