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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| £8m aid to curb rates hike fears | £8m aid to curb rates hike fears |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A support package of up to £8m will be available to councils struggling to keep rates down, the Finance Minister Nigel Dodds has announced. | A support package of up to £8m will be available to councils struggling to keep rates down, the Finance Minister Nigel Dodds has announced. |
| It follows concerns that some councils were preparing to raise their rates by as much as 10%. | It follows concerns that some councils were preparing to raise their rates by as much as 10%. |
| More than £4m will be available for councils to divide following a change in the way their income is calculated. | |
| Mr Dodds said he was responding to concerns raised by the local government association. | Mr Dodds said he was responding to concerns raised by the local government association. |
| The package will also assist all 26 councils hit by the sharp rise in the cost of collecting rates by Land and Property Services. | |
| The minister has ensured that extra costs, totalling £600,000, are not passed onto councils. | The minister has ensured that extra costs, totalling £600,000, are not passed onto councils. |
| There is also help for those hit by rates rebates which have been granted to the Ministry of Defence and British Telecom. | There is also help for those hit by rates rebates which have been granted to the Ministry of Defence and British Telecom. |
| The rebates date back five years and total about £3m. Councils will have five years instead of one year to repay the funds to central government. | The rebates date back five years and total about £3m. Councils will have five years instead of one year to repay the funds to central government. |
| Mr Dodds said the package was "a proportionate, necessary and affordable response" to councils' difficulties. | Mr Dodds said the package was "a proportionate, necessary and affordable response" to councils' difficulties. |
| Councils across Northern Ireland have until 14 February to strike the new district rate in preparation for April bills. | Councils across Northern Ireland have until 14 February to strike the new district rate in preparation for April bills. |
| The Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) welcomed Mr Dodds' announcement on the support package. | |
| Councillor Helen Quigley, President of NILGA, said it "would be of great help to councils". | |
| "I am pleased that the minister has genuinely listened to councils' concerns and developed a range of actions in response to NILGA's requests," she said. |