Balanced rate can be struck despite COVID and fragile state of the Derry civic coffers, say Mickey Cooper

“This has been an unprecedented year both globally and locally as a result of Covid,” said Colr. Cooper.

“When the pandemic struck almost a year ago our local council was fearful that we would be facing a huge rates rise in 2021 to deal with the inevitable financial losses. However, by the end of this financial year it is estimated that almost £4.7 million of support will have been provided by the Department for Communities to underwrite council’s financial losses.

“This is in addition to £1.5 million from the same department for Covid Economic recovery programmes and £1.5 million of support for the most vulnerable in society affected by the pandemic. In the last week the Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey also announced a further £458,000 of additional Rates Support Grant funding for our council,” said the Sinn Féin’s Local Finance spokesperson.

The financial pressure on the civic coffers remains severe, he said. But Colr. Cooper said the support from the Department for Communities will help the Council to keep the rate down.

“Council is, of course, still in a fragile budgetary position because of the massive financial pressure of Covid. However, because of this crucial assistance, I believe we are now in a position to strike a balanced rate which allows us to maintain and enhance services, proceed with capital building projects, protect jobs and meet our obligations to staff without placing undue financial pressure on our local citizens.”