Council meet early to discuss next year's rates estimates

THE number of meetings held by Ballymoney Borough Council to discuss last year's rates has prompted a call for an earlier get together of councillors to discuss the forthcoming rates review.

At a recent meeting of the council, Cllr. Finlay (pictured) expressed concerns about the time and number of meetings held by councillors prior to the deadline.

Councillors were meeting up to the eleventh hour with intense debate on finding what they considered to be an acceptable balance given the financial constraints. Cllr. Finlay called for an early meeting in a bid to avoid the late flurry of activity last year.

The council have now set five dates to discuss and strike the District Rates for 2011/2012.

Following a recent Corporate and Central Services Committee meeting, the report explained: ‘The following dates are suggested for Council to meet to consider the estimates of income and expenditure for 2011/2012: Monday 8th November at 2.00pm, Monday 13th December at 2.00pm, Monday 10th January at 2.00pm or Tuesday 8th February at 7.00pm to strike the District rates for 2011 / 2012.’

At the request of Cllr Robert Halliday, the Director agreed to provide details of the number and cost of employees per service.

Councillors had their first meeting last Monday at 7 p.m. and on the proposal of Cllr. Finlay seconded by Cllr. Ian Stevenson it was decided to meet

Ion the following dates to consider the estimates of income and expenditure for 2011/2012: Monday 8th November at 2.00pm; Monday 13th December at 2.00pm; Monday 10th January at 2.00pm; Tuesday 8th February at 7.00pm to strike the District rates for 2011/2012.

Speaking during a Full Council meeting, Cllr Stevenson welcomed the news adding: “It is good to see that Council is starting to look early at the rates so we can try to keep it as low as possible.”

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