AN above-inflation increase in household rates in Belfast has been described as “short-term pain for long-term gain”, as one critic described the rise as “obscene”.
Belfast City Council struck a district rate increase of 1.89 per cent for the coming year at a meeting on Wednesday evening.
The rise, which is higher than the 1.6 per cent rate of inflation, is the second consecutive increase following a three-year rates freeze.
Belfast City Council said it would amount to an extra £1 per month on average, before regional rates are added in, with businesses facing an extra £11 monthly.
UUP councillor Jim Rodgers said the rise was necessary to help develop Belfast as a tourist destination.
“It’s unfortunate, but it’s in the best interests of the city,” he said.
“We need to encourage more growth and investment and develop what we have. You only need to look at the number of cruise ships arriving to see the need. This will be short-term pain for long-term gain.”
Sinn Féin also said the rise would pay for a 1 per cent wage increase for more than 2,500 council staff and fund vital community facilities.
However, People Before Profit councillor Matt Collins said the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal was the wrong backdrop to introduce any more increases in household bills.
“It is obscene to continually force the burden of payment for services on to working class people,” he said.
The TaxPayers' Alliance also criticised the rise, saying: “Residents already struggling with rising bills will struggle with this rise.
"Councils across the country are having to find savings but authorities must resist the temptation to ask ratepayers to dig deeper. Every bit of waste must be cut out before hard-pressed families are made to pay more."
