'˜Rates likely to rise by less than three per cent'

Local councillors are due to meet tonight (Thursday, February 9) to strike the district rate for 2017/18.

While the final figure has to be approved by elected representatives, one council source told the Ulster Star that it is “likely to be a rise of just under three per cent.”

Chairman of the Corporate Services Committee, Cllr Owen Gawith, said the council has been “working extremely hard to strike a district rate as low as possible while still delivering and improving upon current services and developing new ones.”

He stressed that the local authority is keen to progress several major infrastructure projects and capital schemes, including upgrading council-owned properties, progressing public realm schemes and developing new sports and community facilities.

“Some of the areas that we have been progressing include the development of the Knockmore Link Road, upgrading of the Dundonald International Ice Bowl, the Public Realm Scheme in Hillsborough and the Lisburn Linkages Scheme, upgrades at the Carryduff Recycling Centre and Barbour Play area and replacement pitches at Dromara and Hillsborough. The council is also working to ensure new hotel development in the Lisburn and Castlereagh area,” he said.