It has been estimated that it will cost a total of £8,445,043 to provide council services over the next financial year.

The rates were struck at Tuesday night's meeting of Cookstown District Council.

Both rates, the domestic and non-domestic, will increase by 2.5 per cent. The domestic rate is 0.2730p and the non-domestic rate 21.5550p in comparison to 0.2663p and 21.0292p respectively for 2009/2010.

The regional rate is determined by the Department of Finance and Personnel to defray the cost of local services which are delivered by central government departments. The regional rate is a uniform rate throughout Northern Ireland is not affected by the spending policies of the council.

The non-domestic regional rate for 2010/2011 is due to increase by 2.7 per cent subject to affirmation of the Assembly in mid-February.

Meanwhile, rates are set to soar in Magherafelt as the district prepares to merge with Cookstown and Dungannon Councils next year.

Members of Magherafelt Council this week struck a new domestic rate of 0.2541p in the £, representing an increase of 8.4 per cent – one of the highest ever by the council.

The new non domestic rate is 20.1292p in the £, which is also equivalent to an 8.4 per cent jump.

The estimate allows for an expenditure on council services in South Derry of more than £8.5m in the coming year.

The main increases are closing the Bellaghy dump (£299,600), landfill tax (£150,000) and staff wages/administration £100,000.

There are also projected losses of £90,000 in Building Control because of the slump in the building industry, and £30,000 in respect of Maghera Leisure Centre.

Debt-free Magherafelt Council has traditionally finished near the bottom of the Province-wide rates table.

And, even with the new increase, it is still expected to finish amongst the bottom four councils.