150 firms looking for a review of rates bills

150 firms looking for a review of rates bills

17 June 2015

ALMOST 150 business owners across the Newry, Mourne and Down Council area have asked for their rates bills to be reviewed.

The confirmation comes as concern intensifies about massive rates hikes which have been imposed by Land and Property Services (LPS). Some business owners have reported their annual rates have almost doubled, with others facing hikes of up to 60 per cent.

The increase in rates bills came after LPS carried out a major revaluation on behalf of the Department of Finance, a process which has hit many business owners.

There is particular concern in Castlewellan about the impact the rates increase will have and traders are seeking an urgent meeting with Stormont Finance Minister Arlene Foster, warning they could be forced out of business.

This week, Mrs Foster has confirmed 145 business owners across the new super council area have asked for their rates increases to be looked at again. She said the District Valuer is closely examining a small number of properties in Castlewellan, in addition to those already asking for their rates increase to be re-examined “and that changes are likely to be forthcoming.”

In a letter to councillor Patrick Clarke, Mrs Foster said the last revaluation of business premises took place in 2003, with the recent exercise involving 73,000 properties across the Province.

“Social, economic and environmental circumstances change over time and do not affect all property sectors or locations in the same 

way. Property values have shifted considerably since 2001 and this means that in recent years many ratepayers have not been paying rates in direct proportion to the rental value of their property,” her letter continues.

With reference to calls for financial support to help businesses meet the cost of the rates increase, Mrs Foster said the Executive has taken “extensive steps” to support ratepayers this year, despite a shrinking public purse. 

The finance minister confirmed LPS officials have met with the new super council and attended a number of business events to talk about revaluation. She said traders can now request a review of their rates bill via the District Valuer.

Mrs Foster said given the ongoing rates reviews process she hopes there will be an understanding that it would not be appropriate to meet with traders and politicians at this time to discuss these matters.

Councillor Clarke hopes the work underway will see some of the rates hikes imposed on traders in the Castlewellan area in particular reduced to allow them to remain in business.

“These are businesses which are at the heart of the town’s economy. They employ local people and provide incomes for many families. It is important they continue to play crucially important roles,” he said. “The scale of the rates increase has left many business owners in a state of shock and the level of the rates increases must be reviewed.”