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| Rise in district rates forecast | |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Ratepayers in some council areas could be paying their local council an extra 10% in their rates bill next year, it has emerged. | |
| The average bill could rise by about £50, as some councils struggle with the deepening recession. | The average bill could rise by about £50, as some councils struggle with the deepening recession. |
| Councils across NI have until 14 February to strike the new district rate in preparation for April bills. | Councils across NI have until 14 February to strike the new district rate in preparation for April bills. |
| Some such as Belfast, Limavady and North Down are forecasting district rate rises of between eight and 10%. | Some such as Belfast, Limavady and North Down are forecasting district rate rises of between eight and 10%. |
| Alliance councillor Stephen Farry said North Down councillors were working hard to reduce an initial 15% forecast. | Alliance councillor Stephen Farry said North Down councillors were working hard to reduce an initial 15% forecast. |
| Meanwhile, Down District Council is hoping to improve on an 8% forecast. | Meanwhile, Down District Council is hoping to improve on an 8% forecast. |
| Councils have been hit by a range of factors including loss of revenue from Ministry of Defence sites and falling investment income. | Councils have been hit by a range of factors including loss of revenue from Ministry of Defence sites and falling investment income. |
| On the upside, there has been a freeze of the regional rate, which makes up 60% of the rates bill and provides finance for Stormont departments. | On the upside, there has been a freeze of the regional rate, which makes up 60% of the rates bill and provides finance for Stormont departments. |