Annual rates rise of less than one per cent

As the '˜MAIL' was going to press the local council was meeting to strike the annual domestic rate, which we understand will rise by just less than one per cent.

By The Newsroom

Published 9th Feb 2016, 18:00 BST

Updated 17th Feb 2016, 06:35 BST

According to ‘MAIL’ sources the annual rise is set to be 0.92%.

The council business rise is estimated at about £50-70 per annum for small to average sized retailers. It’ll be bigger for the likes of Asda and Tesco.

The rates increase from the NI Assembly (two-thirds of the total) is 1.7%, which means an average overall rise of 1.3%.

It was due to be set on Tuesday night at a special council meeting – and will be officially announced on Wednesday morning.

There is, apparently, anger among the staff that 3% cuts in services had to be identified – yet £1.2m was spent to improve the council chamber and the members’ rooms.

Tesco ASDA