Mid & East Antrim Council debt falls to £49.5M as ratepayers shoulder 16% cumulative hikes

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has reduced its borrowing debt to £49.56 million, down from £53.25 million the previous year, according to the latest financial data for Q4 2024–25.

The borough now ranks fifth highest among Northern Ireland’s eleven local authorities for overall debt. Despite the modest £3.69m reduction, residents and businesses continue to feel the squeeze of steep rates increases and service cuts.

Northern Ireland debt picture

Collectively, Northern Ireland’s councils owe £410.74 million, a slight reduction from the previous year. Ten of the eleven councils managed to cut their debt, with only Newry, Mourne and Down recording an increase, rising to £68.3m, the highest in the region.

At the other end of the scale, Fermanagh and Omagh has the lowest borrowing at just £2.65m.

Rates hikes and deficits

The debt reduction follows a period of financial turbulence for Mid and East Antrim, which faced a £7.2m deficit in late 2023 and early 2024. At the time, Interim Chief Executive Valerie Watts blamed “legacy challenges” for the budget blackhole.

To address the shortfall, the council introduced service cuts, price rises and approved cumulative domestic rates hikes of nearly 14% over two years, with non-domestic rates up 16%—outstripping increases in larger councils such as Belfast.

For 2025–26, households were hit with a 3.99% rates increase, adding around £51 to annual bills, while small businesses are paying an average of £572 more.

The council said the hikes were necessary to cope with inflationary pressures, falling government support, and rising costs linked to waste management, energy and infrastructure.

Capital investments continue

Despite the financial strain, Mid and East Antrim continues to fund significant projects, including:

• £80m Belfast Region City Deal investment

• £7m redevelopment of Carnfunnock Country Park

• New 3G sports pitches in Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus

• A Greenway Path from Cullybackey to Galgorm

• Replacement community centres and cemetery provision

Critics argue that while investment is important, it must be weighed against the pressure on ratepayers. Councillor allowances have also drawn scrutiny, with basic payments set to rise and backdated adjustments included in the latest budget.

Wider UK council debt concerns

The situation in Northern Ireland contrasts with the wider UK, where councils have added £7.8bn in debt in a year. Data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government shows UK councils now owe £122.2bn, up 7% on 2024 levels—equivalent to £1,791 per resident.

Experts have warned that short-term government loans are being used to “paper over the cracks” in council finances.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive of the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU), said:

“That is not a sustainable system. As one local government finance officer said to me, it’s essentially payday loans for local governments.”

He added:

“Maybe the situation is so desperate that they do need to do that in order to keep their heads afloat. But again it’s not a long term way to think about public funding, public services and generating public value. It’s a short term fix with very long-lasting implications.”

Local asset sales

In Mid and East Antrim, several asset sales have already taken place, including lands at Ballee Playing Fields, part of the Ecos Nature Park, and the Smiley Building in Larne.

Campaigners warn such disposals represent the loss of public value that cannot be regained.

Looking ahead

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s 2024–25 financial reports are now publicly available, with audits due later this month.

As the borough looks ahead, the balance between investment, accountability, and sustainable budgeting remains central—not only for councillors but for every household and business in the area.