Finance
What are rates?
Rates are a property-based tax and are designed to raise revenue to make a contribution towards the cost of services within Northern Ireland. They are based on the value of properties for households and businesses.
How is the rates bill made up?
A ratepayer's bill in Northern Ireland consists of two elements: -
- A District Rate
- A Regional Rate
District Rate - what is it used for?
The District rate is sent by each Council and the money raised is used to fund the services that it provides such as:
- Refuse Collection and Disposal
- Implementation of Waste Management
- Programme
- Street Cleaning
- Parks and Recreation Grounds
- Leisure Facilities
- Arts and Events
- Environmental Health Services
- Building Control
- Community Centres
- Support to the Voluntary & Community Sector
Regional Rate - what is it used for?
The Regional Rate is set by Central Government and local Councils have no control over this. It is the same for all 26 Councils and is used to contribute to the cost of providing a range of services such as: - Education, Housing, Social Services, Roads, Water and Sewerage.
How do I pay my rates?
Click the link below to visit the Rate Collection Agency's Website to find out ways to pay your rates.
www.ratecollectionagencyni.gov.uk
Rates Increase for 2006/07
Regional rate 19% Set by Government
District Rate 6.97% Set by Council
The increase in the regional rate, which the Council has no control, is almost three times greater than the rate increase that the Council have agreed. The Council will receive only 40% with the remaining 60% going to Central Government.
Council rates for 2006/07
Domestic District Rate 137.34
Non-domestic District Rate 17.57
The Council endeavours to deliver high quality services to its residents, whilst trying to keep the rates as low as possible. This years increase of 6.97% is in sharp contract to the increase of 19% in the Regional rate. Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council compares favourably with other Councils in that it is in the lowest quartile in the league table of district rates.
What are the reasons for the increase in the rate?
The Council has faced a series of cuts in funding from central government which have necessitates this increase in the district rate:
- £3million has been taken from the Waste Management grant to Local Government - a £90,000 deficit for Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council alone.
- Government changed the Council expenditure rules for the Waste Management grant, which left the Council covering £200,000 revenue costs.
- A cut of £1million in the funding means a reduction in income of almost £50,000 to the Council compared to last year.
Changes to Domestic Rates in Northern Ireland
Changes are taking place in the domestic rating system in Northern Ireland, the changes will come into force in April 2007, the two main changes are: -
-VLA are carrying out a re-evaluation of all properties
-Your rates bill will be based on the capital value of your home (a list of all capital values may be obtained from clicking on the link below)
www.mycapitalvalueni.gov.uk
For further information on changes to domestic rates please click here www.vla.nics.gov.uk
Water and Sewage Charges
From 1 April 2007 every household will pay a direct charge for their water supply. You will also have to pay a separate charge if you are connected to the public sewerage system.
For further information on water and sewerage charges please click the link below
