UUP rejects rates rise, warning of ‘avoidable financial strain’ from ‘overly ambitious’ capital spending

Mid and East Antrim’s Ulster Unionist Party Group on Council

The Mid and East Antrim Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Group has voted against the Council’s decision to increase domestic and non-domestic district rates by 2.95 per cent.

The vote was taken at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council on Monday 9 February, when councillors approved the rates increase for the coming financial year.

The group includes (in alphabetical order), Councillor Alan Barr (Braid), Councillor Roy Beggs (Larne Lough), Councillor Bethany Ferris (Carrick Castle), Councillor Jackson Minford (Bannside), Councillor Maureen Morrow (Coast Road), Councillor Robin Stewart (Carrick Castle), Councillor Brian Thompson (Ballymena), and Councillor Andrew Wilson (Knockagh.

UUP: households and businesses under pressure

In a joint statement, the UUP Group said it opposed the increase at a time when many households and businesses are already facing significant financial pressures.

“Households and businesses are already experiencing significant financial strain. It is incumbent upon this Council to demonstrate restraint, reduce unnecessary expenditure, and prioritise essential services before seeking additional contributions from ratepayers,” the Group said.

The statement reflects concerns about the direct impact of the rates decision on families and local businesses across Mid and East Antrim.

Opposition to capital spending priorities

The UUP Group said its principal reason for voting against the rates increase was the level of spending on capital projects, particularly those linked to the Belfast City Deal.

Projects outlined in Council’s capital plan are:

• Belfast Region City Deal projects: approximately £26.5m

• Fleet Upgrade Programme: £3.2m

• Carrickfergus Harbour refurbishment works: approximately £2.8m

• St Patrick’s Barracks enabling works: £2.3m

• Mechanical and electrical improvements in council buildings in Carrickfergus, Larne and Ballymena: £2m

• Larne Cemetery Development (Phase 1): £1.9m

• Seven Towers Leisure Centre refurbishment: £1.8m

• New cemetery at Trooperslane, Carrickfergus: £1.5m

• Broughshane Replacement Community Centre: £1.5m

• Carnfunnock Country Park upgrade (council contribution): approximately £1.4m

• Sub Regional Football Stadia Fund Programme (council contribution): £943,000

• Ballymena Showgrounds pitch upgrade: £1.2m

Notably, while planning permission was recently granted for a new much-needed leisure centre in Ballymena, it has not been included in the capital plan. Rather Council has committed to investing a further £1.8m in the Seven Towers Leisure Centre - a facility that has been described previously as not-fit-for-purpose.

The Group said some of these projects are “unnecessary, overly ambitious, and not reflective of the immediate needs of ratepayers”.

They argued that local government should focus on statutory responsibilities and efficient service delivery rather than expanding the scale and cost of council activity.

The statement said councils should prioritise “delivering statutory services efficiently, rather than pursuing projects that expand the scope and cost of the Council without providing clear and measurable benefits”.

It added that proceeding with such expenditure places long-term financial obligations on the Council “at a time when fiscal discipline is required”.

Warning of future rates pressures

The Group also raised concerns about what it described as a short-term approach to budgeting, warning that existing financial pressures have not been resolved.

“The underlying financial pressures will almost certainly persist next year. Instead of addressing these challenges responsibly, the rate struck simply postpones them,” the Group said.

They added: “Ratepayers will face these difficulties along with further new capital repayment costs in twelve months’ time, potentially with fewer options available and even greater financial pressure.”

Call for focus on essential services

In concluding its statement, the UUP Group said its vote was not intended as opposition to investment or progress.

“Our vote was not a vote against investment or progress. It was a vote for responsible stewardship of public funds, for smaller and more efficient local government, and for the protection of ratepayers from avoidable financial strain,” the Group said.

The Group also said it has been highlighting concerns about the Council’s capital plan, including what it described as a failure to adequately invest in the waste collection fleet.

“We have also been highlighting the failure of the capital plan to adequately invest in our ageing Waste Collection fleet,” the statement said.

The Group concluded by calling for a renewed focus on essential services, value for money and long-term sustainability, stating:

“We remain committed to the principles set out in our election manifesto — restoring trust in local government through the effective and disciplined use of ratepayers’ money.”