Agenda item

            The Committee was informed that the Standards and Business Committee, at its meeting on 28th November, had referred the following motion, which had been proposed by Councillor McDowell and seconded by Councillor Flynn, to this Committee for consideration:

"This Council notes that, for ordinary domestic Belfast rate payers, it is a struggle to make ends meet at present, especially with rates reaching 7.99% in 2023/2024. For the better off in society, rates are not such a struggle to pay.

There is a maximum capital value cap on Domestic Rates known as the Max Cap, which is currently set at £400,000, that limits the rates those in more affluent homes are compelled to pay. The Max Cap has not been altered since 2009. It is prescribed in legislation: The Rates (Maximum Capital Value) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007, as amended.

A rebalancing of the rates burden needs to take place so that all rate payers pay their fair share. There is no good reason for the poorer to pay more in percentage terms when they are struggling financially.

The Council, therefore, urges the Government to remove the Max Cap and phase it in over several years. This will allow affluent rate payers a graduated response to rate rises over a period.

In light of consultation that will take place on this issue, the Council will also make this motion a collective submission to the consultation".

Amendment

Moved by Councillor R. McLaughlin,

Seconded by Councillor Garret,

      That the Committee agrees to replace the penultimate paragraph with the following:

The Council, therefore, calls on the DUP to end its boycott of the Stormont Executive, to ensure that a fully restored Executive can make collective decisions on these important devolved matters.

            On a vote, thirteen Members voted for the amendment and five against and it was declared carried.

            The motion, as amended and set out hereunder, was thereupon put to the Committee and adopted:

"This Council notes that, for ordinary domestic Belfast rate payers, it is a struggle to make ends meet at present, especially with rates reaching 7.99% in 2023/2024. For the better off in society, rates are not such a struggle to pay.

There is a maximum capital value cap on Domestic Rates known as the Max Cap, which is currently set at £400,000, that limits the rates those in more affluent homes are compelled to pay. The Max Cap has not been altered since 2009. It is prescribed in legislation: The Rates (Maximum Capital Value) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007, as amended.

A rebalancing of the rates burden needs to take place so that all rate payers pay their fair share. There is no good reason for the poorer to pay more in percentage terms when they are struggling financially.

The Council, therefore, calls on the DUP to end its boycott of the Stormont Executive, to ensure that a fully restored Executive can make collective decisions on these important devolved matters.

In light of consultation that will take place on this issue, the Council will also make this motion a collective submission to the consultation".