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Newry Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) has struck its district rate at 3.98% with a split vote in chambers.
The DUP stood against the new rate stating they had “not been listened” to in consultation at the Strategic Finance Working Group (SFWG). The Alliance Party abstained raising concerns over high council spending.
The rate was approved with a majority vote from Sinn Fein, the SDLP and the UUP.
Downpatrick Sinn Féin Councillor Oonagh Hanlon said: “Our team has been working diligently with officers, directors and the chief executive to strike this rate.
“This rate is lower than the 4.25% estimate predicted in 2023. It equates to approx 47p/ week for the average ratepayer.”
Upcoming major developments in the district will see millions of pounds of ratepayers’ money spent on a new council civic centre as well as a theatre and conference centre with construction expect to begin later this year.
The council has already invested heavily in street cleaning services with a new fleet of refuse vehicles. Major sporting upgrades across district parks are also due to begin including Jennings Park, Newry.
Mournes Alliance Councillor Jill Truesdale responded: “I want to reiterate our team position on seeking cost-effective and cost-efficient outcomes for our rates.
“We absolutely accept the democratic will of the council, but cannot possibly support any rise in the face of the ongoing unknown total expenditure of the Newry civic centre and the Mournes gondola project, especially during a time of great economic difficulty and uncertainty from a micro council level to a macro global level.
“These large capital projects will result in additional borrowing which, in turn, will be passed onto the ratepayer.
“There are far greater projects of urgency, more cost-effective projects that make sense for residents, right across Newry, Mourne and Down that we could be spending money on as we attempt to rebuild after years of austerity and cut backs.”
NMDDC chairperson, Pete Byrne (SDLP) added: “Before the vote, as council chairperson and as chair fo the SFWG…I want to make it very clear in the terms of openness and transparency, that when we have proposals to try to reduce the rate increase they are brought to the SFWG.
“There are proposals brought by the Alliance group, that do not impact the rate this year, but will impact the rate in future years, so we can have a conversation about that going forward.”
Following the vote, Downpatrick SDLP Councillor Gareth Sharvin asked: “The SFWG is the mechanism for parties to bring suggestions on how we reduce the rate and make savings.
“The DUP did vote against it, so I would be interested to hear from the DUP if they have any suggestions of how we could have reduced the rate.
“Are there suggestions the rest of the chamber or we as a council have missed?”
Rowallane DUP rep, Jonathan Jackson added: “We as a group have identified a number of efficiency areas we think could be improved.
“Suggestions were made at SFWG stage, but we weren’t listened to.”
