Councillor Christopher Stalford

DUP Councillor for Laganbank Christopher Stalford has warned that 80% of Laganbank residents will be facing a massive hike in their rates bills under the new capital-value based rating scheme being ushered in by the Labour government. The biggest hikes will be felt in Ballynafeigh (right) where rates are expected to increase on average by £233 per years, Stranmillis were rates will soar by a massive £599 on average and Rosetta were residents can expect to pay on average an extra £259 in their annual bills. The only area which recorded a rates reduction was Shaftesbury, however, Councillor Stalford pointed out that this figure does not include water rates, which the government has threatened to introduce.

Speaking today, the DUP Councillor said:

“This week Belfast residents will be receiving letters informing them of what they can expect to pay in their rates bill. These figures are arrived at by the central government based on the capital value of a persons’ home – a system which I feel is profoundly unfair, especially to our elderly population. It is a source of great concern to me that in the governments analysis of the rateable value of homes in our area, four out of five Laganbank wards are recording an increase in their rates bills. Coupled with the threatened imposition of water rates, we see that even in the ward which recorded a slight reduction (Shaftesbury), residents will be forced to pay more.

Like many people in Northern Ireland, I will wait with baited breath to see if this hike in rates will increase the standard and quality of public services. Somehow I doubt it”