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Rates hike threat from Council merger
16/10/2008
Domestic rates in Fermanagh could rise by up to 10 per cent and
non-domestic rates for businesses could rise by almost five per cent when
Fermanagh Council merges with Omagh District Council in three years time.
It is believed that members of Fermanagh District Council have already
discussed the figures and they are expected to be confirmed at the next monthly
meeting in November.
Domestic council rates in Omagh are said to be 21.25 per cent higher than
Fermanagh and non-domestic council rates are also said to be 11.4 per cent
higher.
When DUP and Sinn Fein compromised in March to cut local councils from 26 to
11, it was agreed that Fermanagh be amalgamated with Omagh.
At the time, Fermanagh councillors were concerned over issues surrounding
Omagh’s debt problem but councillors in Omagh defended the claims by stating
their assets would account for any debt incrued.
However the figures suggest that Fermanagh’s assets are £13m more than Omagh.
Fermanagh’s assets including The Lakeland Forum and The Ardhowen Theatre are
said to be worth £50m compared to Omagh’s assets worth only £37m.
The figures also suggest that Omagh’s liabilities are considerably more than
Fermanagh with our neighbouring town owing an estimated £10m compared to
Fermanagh owing £3m.
The figures will not bring welcome news to low-income households especially as
figures by the Department of Social Development suggest that 29 per cent of
individuals in Fermanagh live in households falling below the low-income
threshold of 60 per cent of the UK median household income, before housing
costs have been deducted.
This includes 29 per cent of children and 37 per cent of pensioners in
Fermanagh.
One councillor said it will have severe implications for Fermanagh households
and businesses.
“From now until the 2011, homeowners and businesses will be hit hard from all
angles due to the rise of electricity, fuel, inflation and other bills. Now
they are learning they could be footing the bill for another Council’s problem
through rates and this is a worrying development especially when we had our
doubts about the merge in the first place”, he said.
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