This evening, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council struck the annual rate for 2025/26 agreeing an increase of 3.99% for both domestic and non-domestic properties.
From April, the average householder’s bill will increase by 98p per week (or £51 per year) and the average small business will see a rise of £11 per week (or £572 per year).
The district rate funds a wide range of public services, including waste, leisure services, business support, community support, parks and regeneration. Council’s portion of rates amounts to just under 50% of the rates bills received by citizens in Mid and East Antrim, with the remainder set by the Stormont Executive through the regional rate - which is expected to rise by 3-5% according to the latest DoF’s consultation.
Elected Members agreed the district rate at a special Council meeting on Monday 10 February against the backdrop of ongoing financial challenges faced by many local authorities - including Mid and East Antrim.
Locally, this includes the Employer National Insurance contributions hike announced last year, rising staff costs due to pay agreements, increasing waste management fees plus inflationary pressures including fluctuating energy bills, increasing insurance costs, vehicle maintenance, infrastructure maintenance and rising operational costs.
The significant reduction in the Rates Support Grant by central government also poses serious challenges for Council. This grant is designed to provide essential financial support to councils whose needs exceed their wealth relative to other councils in Northern Ireland. MEA has experienced a sharp decline in funding, from £3.5m in 2020/21 to just £452k in 2024/25—an 87% reduction, with a similar level anticipated for 2025/26. This ongoing reduction, coupled with rising costs has placed an increasing burden on ratepayers.
Elected Members and Council Officers worked together for several months to strike a rate that continues to support residents and deliver services that are important to the wellbeing of all. This includes continuing to support communities, protect frontline services and deliver regeneration and infrastructure projects that promotes what Mid and East Antrim has to offer as a place to live, work and grow.
Council has an exciting programme of capital investment which isin the process of being delivered across the Borough. Projects include the £80m investment throughout Mid and East Antrim from Belfast Region City Deal; £7m investment at Carnfunnock Country Park in conjunction with the UK Levelling-Up Fund plus continued investment in town centres and villages – as well as a suite of local business and entrepreneurial support networks and programmes, including Go Succeed and the Manufacturing Task Force.
Other major projects Council are committed to include - a major refresh of Council's waste fleet over the next four years; the delivery of a new Greenway Path from Cullybackey to Galgorm;new and upgraded 3G facilities at Ballymena Showgrounds;upgraded 3G facilities in Larne and Carrickfergus; new Cemetery provision for Clough, Larne and Carrickfergus, and the provision of a replacement Community Centre in Broughshane.
A Council spokesperson said:
"We began our rates process back in Autumn last year and have been working round the clock to identify savings and efficiencies for ratepayers. After extensive discussions and a review of our budgetary needs, we have worked hard to keep the rate increase as low as possible in light of ongoing financial pressures for Council – including the Employer National Insurance contributions hike announced last year, the sharp decline in ourRates Support Grant by central government and ongoing rising operational costs.
“We are acutely aware of the struggles many people and our businesses are facing within our community and remain focused on doing everything within our power to help and support them, while safeguarding the essential services they rely on.”