More than £5,000 in unpaid rates pursued over DUP-linked Ballymena Advice Centre

The former DUP Advice Centre on Church Street, Ballymena

More than £5,000 in unpaid rates remains outstanding on premises linked to a DUP advice centre in Ballymena, the Northern Ireland Assembly has been told.

The issue was raised during Assembly questions on Monday, January 12, when TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston asked the Minister of Finance to outline the current position regarding the rates bill for 9–11 Church Street, Ballymena — an office previously associated with former North Antrim MP Ian Paisley.

Responding, Finance Minister John O’Dowd said Land and Property Services (LPS) was actively pursuing the debt and insisted the case was being handled in line with standard recovery procedures.

“Land and Property Services (LPS) has robust processes and procedures in place for the collection and recovery of rates and is committed to collecting all unpaid rates and takes proactive steps to do so,” the Minister told MLAs.

He outlined a range of measures used by LPS, including billing, direct contact with ratepayers, legal recovery action and the option of extended payment plans, adding:

“A failure to engage on the contact made by LPS and persistent non-payment will result in legal recovery actions.”

Mr O’Dowd confirmed:

“I can confirm that the outstanding balance of £5,018·82 remains payable for 9-11 Church Street, Ballymena. It is currently being pursued through ongoing rate collection processes. The payment of rates helps fund the vital public services on which our citizens and businesses rely.”

The disclosure prompted further criticism from Mr Gaston, who argued that the premises had been funded by public money and questioned whether the case had been afforded special treatment.

“I have constituents the length and breadth of North Antrim who are hounded by LPS to pay their debts and their outstanding rate balance, yet it appears that this special case has been given undue leeway,” he said.

Mr Gaston urged the Minister “to take every option and opportunity open to him to ensure that the money is recouped and that the names of those responsible are publicised”.

The Minister rejected any suggestion of preferential treatment, stating:

“The case is not being dealt with differently from any other case of outstanding moneys owed to LPS. I assure the Member that the case has not been given special treatment.”

However, he cautioned against naming those responsible, citing legal constraints.

“We have to be careful about naming those responsible for the payment of outstanding debts because of legal requirements, legal protections and the legal entitlements of all involved,” he said.

The issue also drew criticism from Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland, who described the situation as unacceptable at a time of mounting pressure on public finances.

“It is disgraceful that, at a time when public services are stretched and ratepayers are under so much strain, a rates bill for an office connected to a political party has gone unpaid for years,” she said.

Ms Mulholland asked whether responsibility for the unpaid rates rested with the political party itself, given the public interest in the case.

Mr O’Dowd responded that his comments were limited due to the possibility of legal proceedings, but added:

“My understanding is that the premises have been managed by a company. The individuals in the company may well be associated with a political party, but my understanding is that the bill is in the name of a company.”

The exchange highlights growing sensitivity around unpaid public debts linked to political organisations, particularly as households and businesses across Northern Ireland continue to face financial pressure and rising living costs.