Larne Business Forum has confirmed it has asked Gordon Lyons MLA Minister for Communities to consider reforms of the rate setting process in Northern Ireland.
The group has advised the Minister of what it says "are a number of strategic weaknesses in how the rate setting process in Mid and East Antrim Borough Council operated," adding that "these may have wider implications for other councils across Northern Ireland."
The issues brought to the Ministers attention relate to openness, democratic legitimacy, capping spending, and improvements in the audit date available to the public.
Commenting on 'openness,' Brian McRandal Chair of Larne Business Forum said:
“We are concerned that virtually the entire rate setting process is currently conducted in workshops that are not open to press or public scrutiny and in respect of which there appears to be no minutes.
“The outcome appears to be a single take it or leave it option brought to the Council. Again, much of those deliberations are in committee with only limited discussion open to the press and public. We believe that transparency is the best disinfectant and that more of the process must be open to the press and public.”
When asked about 'democratic legitimacy' Brian stated:
“We noted with particular concern that a decision by MEABC on car parking charges taken as part of the 23-24 rate setting process in February 2023 was not disclosed to the public until after the local government elections in May 2023.
“Although that the charging decision was subsequently reversed, we believe that such a process lacked democratic legitimacy and there should be a greater obligation on openness prior to elections – notwithstanding the “purdah” conventions which can easily be managed”.
On the matter of the 'business rates' increased proposed by MEABC, Brian was clear:
“Looking back over for example four of the last five financial years MEABC has ensured Larne, and indeed Mid and East Antrim, was the most expensive place to do business in the entire United Kingdom.
“Recognising its mix of financial mismanagement and profligacy we urged the Minister to consider a cap on the amount by which councils can raise rates in future years. There is little chance of Stormont delivering financial sustainability and seeking to exercise restraint if councils such as MEABC can run amok with ruinous rates increases."
Finally on the matter of the 'availability of audit date and comparable spending across councils' Brian noted:
“The latest Local Government Auditor Report commented on the difficulties in producing cross council financial comparisons. Such comparisons are an import tool in allowing the public to hold their elected members to account and we urge the Minister to move forward with the necessary changes to facilitate such reporting.
“We have also noted her comments regarding how much local government expenditure (in excess of 60%) is being lumped together under the heading of 'Other services'. We consider much greater granularity in relation to this expenditure category is again an urgent and necessary democratic step.
"Ratepayers must be able to easily compare the financial performance of their council in much more detail."
Larne Business Forum (LBF) was re-established in September 2023, with the aim of representing the wider business community in Larne. Over time the intention of LBF is to work to become a Chamber of Commerce which is expected to yield further opportunities to benefit the town.
LBF aims to build positive working relationships with all elected representatives from the Larne area to ensure we are involved in discussions and decisions that affect Larne. We will work towards making Larne a better place to do business, trade, work, visit and live.