New rates coming soon from Council

Commenting on the issue, Chief Executive, Mrs Anne Donaghy, said: “The Council clearly recognises that with the current economic downturn there is a need to be even more prudent with the public purse and strike the right balance between expenditure and development”.

Ballymena Mayor, Cllr James Currie stressed that the Council has always been very good at budgeting for its 22,000 households.

“Compared to the other Council areas across Northern Ireland, Ballymena is currently in the middle of the table for Council Rates,” he said.

“In fact, the increase in rates each year has been an average of less that 50p per week – that’s the cost of a pack of crisps.”

The 2010 rates will be unveiled in early February.

“We’re currently compiling all the costs, looking ahead at our capital expenditure programme, wages and proactive campaigns to bring more visitors to the Borough,” said Mr Currie.

“2010 is going to be another busy year and we’re committed to continuing to invest on a tight budget. Examples of Council development can be seen in every community and we have a superb level of service which we want to maintain.

“All Northern Ireland Councils costs combined are responsible for just over four per cent of the Northern Ireland public purse so I’m extremely proud of all the great work we do in the Borough of Ballymena and we’ll continue to be efficient and effective in delivering our services,” added the Mayor.