Local residents and businesses in Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon face a 3.91% rates increase starting this April.
An average homeowner will pay 42p more weekly, which is £1.81 extra each month. This change reflects the new budget for 2025-26. The council voted for this rise unanimously and needs funds for public services and to manage capital investments.
Businesses will see bigger changes. A business with a £50,000 NAV pays about £49 more monthly. The council faces rising costs due to inflation, energy prices, and wages.
The council plans to save £2.7m by managing this through a budget review and using an efficiency program.
The council aims to balance costs and is working to maintain local services. Investment remains crucial for towns and villages. The council wants to keep costs down.
Your rates pay for local things, including waste collection and recycling. Leisure, tourism, and community centers benefit. Planning, building control, and events also get funding, and these events support the local economy.
The council is working to reduce the rate’s impact, helping businesses and people. Officials tried to keep the rate low.
Banbridge will see a £6m upgrade soon. The FE McWilliam Gallery will expand this year for £3.2m. They plan to fill empty shops and invest £4m in rural villages. Markethill, Rathfriland, and Gilford get environmental work.
Community and wellbeing matter a lot. The Orchard Leisure Centre gets £1.8m for repairs, supporting service delivery. New leisure facilities will be built in Armagh.
Play parks across the area will improve. Investment for the council amounts to £2.1m. Pitches, parks, and spaces get £6m too. Lurgan community centers gain £2.5m for enhancement.
Your bill has two parts: one pays for council services locally, and the other covers government services regionally. The regional rate still needs approval from the central government.