Rates bills are coming through your letterbox

The bill, being sent to residents and businesses alike, shows the amount owed for the billing period 2010/2011 as well as any debt carried forward from previous years.

A Land and Property Services (LPS) spokesperson said: “There are 22,748 ratepayers in the Ballymena Borough Council area and through the payment of their rates they have helped to fund the provision of a number of public services. In fact, since 2006/07 alone over 130million has been collected in the Ballymena council area. This money has been invested in the vital public services such as healthcare, education and roads as well as helping to fund a number of council services including recreational facilities, bin collection, tourism and local events.”

The Mayor, Cllr James Currie said: “The average domestic rates rise is 25.00 per year, equivalent to the price of a packet of crisps a week per household. This not only empties the bins, looks after parks and cemeteries, cleans the streets, develops sport and the arts, it covers so much more than people think”.

The spokesperson outlined that new developments are planned for Ballymena Showgrounds, Village Play Areas, Portglenone Marina, Civic Amenity Sites, Tully Quarry, Recycling Services and Ballee Community Centre.

A substantial development fund has also been set up to complete preparation work on many other capital projects and the Council has increased its Minor Works Budget to ensure its current stock of facilities are maintained to the highest standard. Also, as a new development this year Ballymena Borough Council is embarking on an adventurous tourism drive featuring the best of the Borough in partnership with the private sector.

The LPS spokesperson continued: “This year’s bill has been redesigned to make it more user friendly and to allow ratepayers to see the most important information at a glance. A new booklet has also been produced which will be issued to all ratepayers with their bill. We would encourage everyone to read this booklet carefully as it contains a lot of useful information about how their bill is calculated, methods of payment, how to get help with paying your rates, as well as, answers to a number of frequently asked questions.”

A 4% discount is available to all Northern Ireland domestic ratepayers if they pay their rate bill in full by 7 May. The spokesperson continued: “If you pay your rate bill in full, in a single payment, by the discount day, which this year is 7 May, you will receive an early payment discount. Ratepayers must allow a minimum of five working days for payment to reach their rate account.

“Alternatively you can pay by direct debit. This is the easiest method of payment and can help you to spread the cost of your rate bill. LPS offers ratepayers a choice of three collection dates; 7th of the month; 15th of the month; or 28th of the month.

“This year, we’re also offering a new and convenient way to pay your rates with a new ‘Rates QuickPay Card’. Customers who wish to use this card can simply bring it along to any Post Office or one of the 800 participating payzone outlets and pay their bill either in full or by instalments.”

Responding to customer feedback ratepayers also have for the first time the option of paying their bill online. Full details of these and all payment methods are included in the booklet all ratepayers will receive with their bill or alternatively by contacting NI Direct by telephone on 101 or online at www.nidirect.gov.uk/rates