CAUSEWAY Coast and Glens council is being asked to impose cuts on frontline services to avoid a record-breaking 16 per cent hike in the district rate, it has been claimed.
The potential increase – more than four times last year's rates' rise – comes as councils across the north seek to keep a lid on what could be biggest increases in the district rate for decades.
Sources in Derry & Strabane Council last told the Irish News on Tuesday that elected representatives were being asked to consider a 9.6 per hike in the district rate.
Belfast City Council last week struck an eight per cent increase in the district rate, while Newry, Mourne and Down District Council agreed six per cent. Mid Ulster District Council struck a 7.3 per cent increase for households and 4.32 per cent for businesses.
The expected hikes, which must be agreed by all councils by February 15, come as the local authorities grapple with rising operational costs.
Increased energy costs, rising staff wages and a reduction in support from the Department for Communities come on top of existing pressures to balance the books.
Lisburn and Castlereagh councillors are being asked to consider an eight per cent increase, while their counterparts in North Down and Ards are looking at a rise of 6.8 per cent.
The Irish News understands that all councils are expected to approve increases of five per cent-plus.
Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris will set the regional rate in the coming weeks and has already hinted at a significant increase.
Derry and Strabane People Before Profit councillor Matt Collins warned that "hard-up households are facing massive rates hike whatever way councils decide to cut it".
"No amount of horse-trading or austerity budgeting will soften the blow for our communities," he said.
"Recent rates hikes come with talk of further drastic increases next year. "
Causeway Coast and Glens independent councillor Padraig McShane said he feared frontline services would be cut to enable the council to reduce its potential, inflation-busting 16 per cent hike.
"We've had close to no information from council officials about how we can manage this increase but my concern is that tourism, leisure services and cleansing will suffer," he said.
"Tourism is the main economic driver in this council area so it seems very short-sighted to slash spending in this sector."
A Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said the secretary of state would aim to "protect public finances and provide certainty to Northern Ireland businesses and households".
"We will continue to engage with the Northern Ireland Departments to ensure that the rate level set provides security to Northern Ireland’s finances whilst protecting those in need," the spokesperson said.
