Council had to make 'difficult decisions' says Chief Executive

In a statement released after last Thursday night’s rates meeting, Council said it was dealing with rising costs and a drop in its annual income, but it had worked hard to achieve a “modest increase of less than 2 per month to the average homeowners rates bill and 7 per week to the average business rates bill”.

Councillors agreed a district increase of 4.98% to both the domestic and non domestic rate. Combined with the regional rate this translates to an overall increase of 2.18% for homeowners and 3.65% for businesses.

Mayor of Coleraine, Cllr Sandy Gilkinson, believes that given the current economic climate, this year's rate setting process proved to be very challenging for Council.

He said: “Coleraine Borough Council continues to work to provide services that improve the area. This modest increase was achieved through a joint effort by elected members and officers and is reflective of Council’s commitment to maintaining quality public services, investing in capital projects, and the development of services that will benefit the people living and working in the Borough.”

The Council told the Coleraine Times that the increase provides for statutory expenditure on waste management and landfill tax as well as the additional investment in Portballintrae Community Hall, Peter Thompson Hall in Castlerock, Garvagh Sports Hall and various planned environmental improvement schemes as well as forthcoming economic regeneration initiatives.

The Town Clerk and Chief Executive, Roger Wilson said that reaching the rate increase of 4.98 percent was achieved through savings and prioritisation of key developments.

“The Council has an annual budget of 26.7 million and balances the needs of existing service provision with the investment in new projects,” he said. “A very thorough and rigorous process has been carried out to arrive at the agreed rate.

“No different to all other local authorities in Northern Ireland, Coleraine Council faces various cost pressures mostly arising from the external environment, we have had to take this into consideration when reaching the rate. The increased expenditure requirements have been offset by making a number of budgetary cutbacks as well as efficiency savings. To keep the rate increase to an absolute minimum, some difficult decisions have had to be made.

Other key challenges faced by Council this year are further reduction in fees from Building Regulations and property certificates due to the downturn in the local construction industry and an increase in UK landfill tax.

Mr Wilson added: “Council has carried out a major programme of efficiency savings this helped identify opportunities for reducing spend, whilst maintaining satisfactory service provision. The Senior Management Team of the Council has been involved in new ways of working to reduce overheads, including exploring cost sharing opportunities with neighbouring councils.

“This cost saving process is continuous as we strive to deliver best value for ratepayers.

“This year’s rates estimates also provides substantial savings with targeted reductions in absenteeism, overtime, management and control of vacant positions, conference attendance, the use of technology, procurement and the reduction in contribution to other bodies.

“Our key aim as we approach the new financial year was to strike a rate reflective of the current economic environment whilst continuing to facilitate capital projects which will bring some additional benefits to be delivered within local communities.

“Council is confident that the savings made will not affect the delivery of frontline services, but will provide value for money to rate payers.”