Mid and East Antrim Borough Council agrees 2.95% rates increase

Monday 9 February 2026

The rate - which is expected to be one of the lowest increases in Northern Ireland - was set at a special meeting of Council on Monday 9 February, following months of detailed work by Elected Members and officers to keep the increase below inflation, while ensuring key projects and frontline services are protected across the Borough.

The proposed 2026/27 increase will see average householders’ bills rise by around 90 pence a week, while the weekly increase for average businesses will be around £8.

District rates help fund a wide range of services and facilities used every day by local people, including recycling, tourism, parks, street cleansing and sports development. They also support cemeteries, leisure centres, economic development, environmental health, community centres, registration services, building control, community events, the Policing and Community Safety Partnership and dog control.

A Council spokesperson said the district rate not only pays for services but helps future investment.

“Securing a rate below inflation has been a clear priority for Members,” they said.

“Since September, there has been significant work between Councillors and staff to keep the increase as low as possible. Like all public bodies, a significant proportion of our budget relates to rising service and operational costs. Alongside careful financial management, a range of savings and efficiencies have been identified across Council services, where ongoing work continues to find opportunities to reduce costs.”

The Council’s capital plan was also agreed at the Council meeting on 14 January 2026.

“This budget includes funding for all essential and frontline services, while also supporting a wide range of projects across the Borough.  Over the next four years, Council’s capital plan will continue to deliver major improvements and long-term investment for our communities,” said the spokesperson.

Projects within the significant capital plan being delivered over the next four years across Mid and East Antrim includes:

Belfast Region City Deal projects: c. £26.5m
Fleet Upgrade Programme: £3.2m
Carrickfergus Harbour refurbishment works: c. £2.8m
St Patrick’s Barracks enabling works: £2.3m
Mechanical & Electrical improvements in Council buildings (Carrickfergus, Larne, Ballymena): £2m
Larne Cemetery Development (Phase 1): £1.9m
Seven Towers Leisure Centre refurbishment: £1.8m
New cemetery in Carrickfergus (Trooperslane) land purchase and development: £1.5m
Broughshane Replacement Community Centre: £1.5m
Council contribution to Carnfunnock Country Park upgrade: c. £1.4m
Council contribution to Sub Regional Football Stadia Fund Programme: £943k
Ballymena Showgrounds pitch upgrade: £1.2m

For further information log on to www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/council/rates

For advice on rates, housing benefit and rates relief visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/rates-help