Council chief responds to Chamber’s concerns

Responding to the Causeway Chamber’s concerns over rates, Mr Wilson, pictured left, said in a statement: “Council is very clear on the need to control any rates increase and its own costs.

“Our councillors will be carefully considering this matter over the next few weeks, prior to making a decision at a Special Meeting of Council in early February.

“A lot of good work has been achieved during the past twelve months, including regeneration and successfully hosting a number of high profile events.

“This helps to stimulate our local economy but comes at some cost to the ratepayer.

“It should be noted that the regional rate, set by Stormont, makes up 55% of the total and this has already been struck at 2.7%.

“Coleraine is already in the lower half of the table of Councils in terms of relative cost per household and we intend to hold that position”.