Mid and East Antrim Council: Group calls for audit after rates rise

A business group is to write to the Local Government Auditor to call for an independent audit of value for money at Mid and East Antrim Council (MEABC).

While all of Northern Ireland's councils raised their rates for the next year, the highest uplift is in Mid and East Antrim.

The council agreed an increase of 9.78% for domestic rates and 11.86% for non-domestic rates.

Councillors were divided on the rise as 20 voted for and 14 against.

Speaking after the rates were agreed, Larne Business Forum called for an independent audit into financial management at the council.

It also said it believed there was "a strong case" for the communities minister to order an extraordinary audit of what it described as "this hapless council".

Brian McRandal, chair of Larne Business Forum, said he was "deeply concerned and worried about the outcome of the rates-setting meeting".

He added: "We also believe that there is a case for a Stormont cap to be introduced so that the relevant minister can cap spending of profligate councils such as MEABC."

The council has said it has had to put up the district rate because of a shortfall in income, combined with increases in its costs.

Last week, it was told of an unexpected and sudden rates income shortfall for next year of about £1.7m from the borough's largest ratepayer - Kilroot Energy Park.

It said that equates to an estimated impact on rate projections for next year of 2.7%.

The power station, owned by the Czech company EPUKI since 2019, stopped generating electricity from coal last year and a replacement gas-fired station is under construction on the same site.

The council said rates from Kilroot will be "reduced significantly" during this period but that the new facility would provide significant rates for Mid and East Antrim "soon".

At the same time, the council projected additional running costs of almost £12.2m over the next year due to a wide range of pressures, including energy bills, staff costs, waste management fees and vehicle provision and maintenance.

It said it has also committed to delivering savings of £6.85m in the next financial year to meet the agreed budget.

Business owners have told BBC News NI the rates increase will put severe pressure on them.

Stuart Hewitt who owns two coffee shops in Larne and Carrickfergus described the increase as "crazy".

"Times are hard - it's difficult, cost of living, the price of everything, everything is expensive and another 10% on your rates, at least another £100 a month per shop on top of your existing costs, and for what?

"There's nothing [from the council], there's no support.

"The people that make the most money out of a coffee shop is the government.

"We struggle to survive as it is."

Rosie Richmond is a partner in Bake, a family business which owns two bakeries in Larne.

She said the increase will put "massive pressure" on her business.

"We get no bin collections, we have to pay for all that privately, any cleaning of the outside of either of our shops we do ourselves and there's local community initiatives that do lots of litter picking - the council doesn't do any of that," she said.

"I honestly think we get nothing for what we pay out each month to the council. I am actually struggling to think of one thing that the council provide us bar health inspections.

"I think you have to look at the bigger picture and it's just so off-putting for anyone my age ever wanting to come into business and set up their own thing."

Daphne Lamont, who owns a bridal boutique in Galgorm outside Ballymena, said the raise "does not help small businesses" and that her rates - about £6,000 annually - are already expensive.

"We have to cover all our bills. Ballymena used to be busy, but now there are a lot of vacant shops, so what's the encouragement to come to Ballymena?" she asked.

"There's no support - I don't know what I am paying rates for - on top of your rent , it's a lot of money and you pay water rates too."

A council spokesperson said the rate increase had been made with "deep regret" and that the council had faced "unprecedented financial pressures".