Causeway Coast & Glens Council finance chief warns war could put pressure on fuel budgets
Causeway Coast and Glens Council’s chief finance officer has warned that increased energy and vehicle fuel costs, due to the US/Israel-Iran war, could “put pressure” on next year’s fuel budget.
Speaking to Council’s Finance Committee, David Wright, said a rise in energy costs would see Council “go over budget fairly quickly in the new year“.
Mr Wright said the vehicle fuel budget for 2025/26 had ended with a £300,000 surplus, giving Council ”a wee bit of headroom” to absorb increased costs for the year.
“If [vehicle] fuel prices stay were they are now we reckon we are there or there abouts in terms of budget,” he noted. “But if they go up Council will be under pressure.”
Mr Wright said that he was more concerned around potential increases to energy costs, as Causeway Coast & Glens Council had no such reserves and have only “marginally” increased the budget for the 2026/27 year.