Tight vote sees Mid and East Antrim Council approve 2.95% rates rise

Love Ballymena
35 minutes ago
2 min read

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has agreed a 2.95 per cent district rates increase for the 2026/27 financial year, following a closely contested vote at a special meeting held on Monday 9 February.

The increase was approved by 19 votes in favour, 17 against, with one abstention, highlighting divisions among elected members over the scale of the rise and how funding is allocated within the council’s capital programme.

Love Ballymena understands that the initial figure proposed behind closed doors by council officers was 3.55%.

The rate, which the council says is expected to be among the lowest increases in Northern Ireland, comes after months of financial planning aimed at keeping costs below inflation while protecting frontline services across the borough.

Impact on households and businesses

Under the agreed rate, average householders’ bills are expected to rise by around 90 pence per week, while average businesses will see an increase of approximately £8 per week.

District rates fund a wide range of everyday local services, including recycling, tourism, parks, street cleansing and sports development. They also support cemeteries, leisure centres, economic development, environmental health, community centres, registration services, building control, community events, the Policing and Community Safety Partnership and dog control.

A council spokesperson said the district rate plays a key role in sustaining services while enabling future investment.

“Securing a rate below inflation has been a clear priority for Members,” they said.

“Since September, there has been significant work between Councillors and staff to keep the increase as low as possible. Like all public bodies, a significant proportion of our budget relates to rising service and operational costs.

“Alongside careful financial management, a range of savings and efficiencies have been identified across Council services, where ongoing work continues to find opportunities to reduce costs.”

Concerns over affordability and spending priorities

Despite the agreement, a number of councillors have expressed concern that the increase could have been driven down further, questioning elements of the council’s capital spending plan.

For many local residents, there has also been disappointment that a much-needed new leisure centre has not been prioritised within the current capital programme, a decision that has drawn attention to competing demands on council funding.

Capital plan agreed for next four years

The council’s capital plan, agreed at a meeting on 14 January 2026, sets out investment priorities for the next four years.

“This budget includes funding for all essential and frontline services, while also supporting a wide range of projects across the Borough. Over the next four years, Council’s capital plan will continue to deliver major improvements and long-term investment for our communities,” the spokesperson said.

Projects included in the capital plan are: