Martin welcomes passing of Rates Bill

Alliance Lisburn Councillor Stephen Martin has welcomed the passing of the Rates (Amendment) Bill in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Councillor Stephen Martin said: “This news highlights the need for flexibility within the operation of our rates system in order to promote small and medium sized businesses which are crucial to Lisburn’s economy.

“Our Council struck a rate that reflects an organisation managing to absorb its own cost pressures within its gross expenditure. It also illustrates a Council prudently planning for the year ahead where income will be put under significant pressure and where we will continue to deliver crucial capital projects such as the Public Realm Scheme to ensure we are well placed coming out of our current economic difficulties to take advantage of future opportunities.

“We cannot just batten down the hatches and hope to ride out the storm. We need to be not just talking but thinking our way around these issues in partnership with local businesses, educationalists and domestic ratepayers to ensure that we are not forever playing catch up, but can reposition ourselves to excel in tomorrow’s marketplace.”

ENDS

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