LISBURN and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) has struck a domestic rates increase of 7.49 percent in a move to keep any rise “below inflation”.
At a meeting on Thursday, the council also unanimously agreed to strike a non-domestic rate of 5.23%.
Meetings to agree rates were also held at Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council on Thursday.
However, the Causeway Coast and Glens meeting was adjourned without an agreement, with another meeting to strike rates likely to take place early next week.
Lisburn and Castlereagh's Corporate Services Committee chairperson Stuart Hughes alluded to a forecast spending of over £33m for the coming financial year, with waste and recycling the top spend at almost £14m.
The UUP councillor said: “We are keenly aware of the financial pressures our ratepayers are facing.
“Issues such as spiralling energy costs and food prices, as well as the rise in interest and inflation rates, also affect us as a council.
“We have not taken the decision lightly to increase rates, but the reality is we are responsible for vital services that must be delivered.
“The council is currently facing additional cost pressures of £7m, driven by factors such as the unprecedented rise in the cost of utilities, waste services, materials and supply contracts as well as salary costs."
He added: “We want to deliver on what’s important for people, operating high-quality leisure facilities, delivering essential services and turning our ambitious plans for the area into reality.
“This includes a multi-million pound investment at Dundonald International Ice Bowl, which once completed, will bring jobs and economic growth to the area."
Meanwhile, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council approved a domestic rates rise of 5.59 percent at a meeting on Thursday.
All main political parties on the council backed the rise, along with a 7.45 percent rates increase for business properties.
