ABC Council agrees 2.79% rate increase – one of the lowest across Northern Ireland

Speaking at ABC’s special meeting, Deputy Chief Executive of the local authority, Charlene Stoops, praised all involved for delivering one of the lowest rate increases in Northern Ireland.

The senior council representative gave a measure of the work accomplished over many months to strike such a fine financial balance.

“The estimates process began in May of last year. It has involved close collaborative working across all directorates, accompanied by regular engagement with members and party groupings,” she said.

“As part of this year’s process, we have undertaken a thorough assessment of both internal and external pressures.

“While some of the extreme inflationary spikes and volatility seen in recent years have eased, we continue to navigate significant ongoing pay pressures, contract and materials inflation, rising insurance and compliance costs, reductions or uncertainty in central government funding streams, and continued challenges in energy markets and utilities.

“Internally, we have continued to drive efficiencies across the organisation, building on previous years’ work and maintaining discipline around identifying sustainable savings, rather than reliance on reserves.

“As in previous years, members and officers have worked hard to strike a balance between minimising the burden on ratepayers, protecting and enhancing frontline services, supporting our local economy and communities, and creating space for strategic investment across the borough.

“I am legally required to be satisfied that the estimates presented provide adequate financial resources to support the running costs of the organisation for 2026/27, that they are robust, and that the council’s reserves position is sufficient and appropriate as part of the rate-setting process.

“I can confirm that the estimates brought before members tonight meet these statutory requirements.

“While the district rate is within our control, the regional rate, which forms a significant portion of the overall rates bill, remains a matter for central government.

“The proposed rate of 2.79 per cent for this council, if approved this evening, would again place us among the lowest across all 11 [NI] councils, continuing a consistent trend in recent years of prudent financial management and disciplined budget planning.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Estimates and Efficiency Working Group, party leaders, the Governance, Resources and Strategy Committee, and members across all political parties for their constructive engagement, scrutiny and challenge throughout the estimates process.

“The open, honest, and collaborative discussions have been instrumental in reaching a proposed rate that reflects both responsibility and ambition for the year ahead.

“I also extend my thanks to staff across the organisation, particularly the Executive Management Team, heads of department, the Efficiency Working Group, the Corporate PMO (Corporate Programme Management) team, and the Finance team for their professionalism and diligence in the midst of a challenging and changing environment, in respect of the Reval [Revaluation] 2026 for business and commercial properties.

“The rate equates to an increase of 2.79 per cent for both domestic and non-domestic ratepayers.

“This is a balanced and prudent rate reflecting the continued need for financial stability, ongoing investment, and sensitivity to the pressures that are faced by households and businesses.

“I therefore commend this report to council for approval.”

ABC Lord Mayor, Alderman Stephen Moutray (DUP) praised all involved for achieving such sound financial management.

“Much work has gone over a long period of time from officers and elected members alike, and in my eyes it is a prudent figure that we’ve arrived at,” said Ald Moutray.

Proposing the recommendation to accept a 2.79 per cent rate increase, Councillor Keith Haughian (SF) praised all the work that had been done behind the scenes.

“I just want to echo the sentiments that you’ve expressed, and also thank officers for the work that they’ve done on this particular piece of work,” he said.

Seconding the proposal, Councillor Liam Mackle (SF) remarked: “Just to second What everybody has said in relation to thanking the officers for all their hard work [which has] been sterling throughout the year in getting us into this position.

Head of Finance, ICT & Procurement, Dominic Donnelly conveyed his appreciation to committee members for approving the recommended 2.79 rate rise.

The relevant agenda item, circulated ahead of the February 12 meeting, explains that the local authority’s reserves are healthy, and this is seen as a major factor in ensuring financial stability.

The report states: “Reserves are the council’s safety net for unforeseen circumstances.

“The consequences of not keeping a prudent minimum level of reserves can be serious.

“In the event of a major problem or a series of events, the council would run a serious risk of a deficit, or of being forced to cut spending during the year in a damaging and arbitrary way.

“It is generally accepted and considered reasonable that one month’s expenditure [is] a prudent level of reserves to maintain (approximately £9m).

“The council’s overall useable reserve balance at the end of March 2025 was £66m, but includes significant ring-fenced projects, as well as funding required to meet in-year operational costs and funding pressures.

“However, it is projected that there will still be a healthy level of reserves at the year-end, and in recognition of this the council has agreed to use some reserves to offset ongoing energy pressures, additional reactive and planned maintenance of the council estate, alongside providing reserve funding to meet one-off non-recurrent costs.

“[This will be done] whilst ensuring council is in a strong position to provide match-funding for unplanned and unexpected initiatives that may arise during the year.”

For the average household in the borough with a capital value of £110,000, the 2.79 per cent rate increase represents an additional 31 pence per week (or £1.35 per month).

For a business with a Net Asset Value of £20,000, the increase is approximately £14.49 per month.