Limavady to enjoy lower rates while Mid-Ulster expects hike

RESIDENTS in the Limavady Borough are set to benefit from smaller household rate bills.

The rate for the new Causeway Coast and Glens Council will be struck at a meeting tonight with Coleraine rates set to increase. Ballymoney rates will remain around the same, while Moyle will also will benefit from a smaller bill.

Rates rises will be off-set by 80 per cent for the first year by the Department of Finance and Personnel's guaranteed rates convergence scheme.

Causeway Coast and Glens Council Chief Executive David Jackson said that it was the council’s aim to bring everyone back down to the same rates base within the next three to four years.

Meanwhile, Magherafelt householders are facing a possible increase of between two and four per cent when the new Mid-Ulster District Council strikes its first estimates of income and expenditure tonight.

It was announced recently by Finance Minister Simon Hamilton that home owners in Dungannon are eligible for a subsidy along with business owners in Magherafelt moving to the new super council, which comes into operation in April.