Council split over decision to increase Derry rates

DERRY City Council yesterday struck an annual 2.58% annual increase in its rates - despite a unionist-nationalist split over the move and accusations of ‘political posturing’.

The DUP said they would not support what it claimed may turn out to be the highest increase in rates struck anywhere in Northern Ireland.

Their stance was backed by lone Ulster Unionist Councillor Mary Hamilton.

Speaking at the council chamber in the Guildhall yesterday, DUP Councillor Maurice Devenney said they could not stand over a rate increase of this size when other councils such as Belfast and Limavady had struck a zero rate increase and at a time when local people were facing financial hardship.

SDLP Councillor and chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee, Gerard Diver, hit back that Derry had just announced one of the most ambitious investment programmes of any council in Ireland to secure a legacy for the people of the city beyond 2013.

Accusing the DUP of political posturing ahead of an election, he said: “Where are the additional monies to come from? Are the fairies to deliver it?”

Earlier, Mr Diver had explained how the 2.58% council increase he was proposing, when combined with the fixed 2.7% regional rate increase, would add an additional 40p to an average Derry homeowners weekly rates bill.

During a recorded vote on the matter, the 19 Sinn Fein and SDLP Councillors present backed the rates increase, ensuring its adoption against the six DUP and UUP unionists who opposed it.

Sharon O’Connor, who also defended the need for investment in Derry’s legacy towards the end of the meeting, said that the council budget for the 2014/15 financial year based on the rate struck would be £39.4 million.

Among the major portfolio of projects from its five-year plan which the council will progress over the coming financial year are a new £12 million multi-purpose arena for St Columb’s Park, £4.5million for the redevelopment of Brooke Park and an outdoor performance arena, £2 million for new community facilities across Derry, and £8.5 million to implement a new pitches strategy.

The council also plans to have £21.7m of the £35m needed for Templemore Sports Complex in place over the next three years, with the £10.3 million Foyle Valley Gateway Plan to be progressed along the Daisyfield, Riverside Park and Brandywell, along with the £9.2 million Maritime Museum and Archive Centre at Ebrington.

Derry City Council has invested over £6 million in the City of Culture and Clipper events, with a further £3.2million announced for future cultural legacy and Clipper projects committed from this year’s rates.

Ms O’Connor said the rate equated to 0.4281p per £1 for domestic properties and a rate of 29.6122p in the pound for non-domestic properties.