Mid Ulster District Council Website

The total rates bill levied on ratepayers is made up of the District Rate, which is set by the Council and the Regional Rate which Central Government determines.

The District Rate funds Council expenditure on service areas such as leisure and recreation, environmental, planning and development as well as capital programmes. Regional rates help fund services such as water, sewerage, roads, education and housing.

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District Rates 2024 - 2025

In the 2024-2025 financial year, there is a 5.9% increase in the district rate residents pay, and a 5.9% increase in that paid by businesses in Mid Ulster.

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How we'll use your rates in 2024 - 2025

 Against a history of keeping district rate increases among the lowest in the region for many years, the continuing difficult financial climate, high levels of inflation, rising global costs of energy, and most significantly, a shortfall in central government funding received by the Council through the Rates Support Grant meant setting a realistic budget that minimised the impact on local people was extremely difficult. 

A proposed mix of savings, efficiencies, and increased income generation has been identified to offset the additional costs and minimise the impact on ratepayers; while remaining focused on delivering the essential services residents expect, as well as reflecting what residents value the most. 

• While continuing to deliver on these essential services, the in-coming year will see the Council continuing to secure external funding such as PEACE Plus and Levelling Up for a range of capital investment and community projects, to help us invest further in our local area for the benefit of residents and business communities. 

• The villages of Coalisland, Moy, Bellaghy, Clady, Castledawson, Moneymore and Castlecaulfield will benefit from £3.46M of investment thanks to the Small Settlements Regeneration Programme, and at the same time, Maghera is set to benefit from £9M Levelling Up funding for three interrelated projects to support economic growth and drive regeneration in the town.

• In addition, on-going investment in pitch, play and leisure facilities as part of the Council’s Pitches, Play, and Outdoor Recreation Strategies is also planned in the year ahead, including the significant development of pitches and running track at Mid Ulster Sports Arena. 

• The Council is committed to providing up over £800K in community funding, to support community groups and strategic events across the Mid Ulster area, while continuing to provide key events across the year, such as the Continental Market, and at Halloween and Christmas. 

• We will work in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, in co-operation with the Department for Communities to deliver a £4M investment programme to enhance Bellaghy and Bellaghy Bawn by creating a literary hub of international significance. 

• We will work to develop investment to improve our active travel network through the development of a new Active Travel Masterplan for the district. 

• With the aid of funding received through the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and supported by Sperrins Partnership, the Council will continue to spearhead a new Development Plan for the Sperrins.  The new plan will seek to support our local communities to benefit more from the Sperrins AONB, while championing long term sustainability and conservation efforts in this unique and special natural resource.

• As part of the MSW Growth Deal, the Council will progress the delivery of critical economic infrastructure including the A29 Cookstown bypass and industrial serviced land in collaboration with key partners to help the region reach the ambitions set out in the Regional Economic Strategy.

• We will support the growth of the tourism sector in Mid Ulster by rolling out a collaborative business growth programme, and supercharge the Mid Ulster food sector by providing a platform for local food/craft producers/suppliers through the Taste Mid Ulster initiative. 

• Under the MSW Net Zero Programme, in the coming year local businesses will avail of support via a series of webinars and a regional conference, with 30 companies operating in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Agri-Food and Construction sectors having the opportunity to access bespoke support to establish Net Zero baselines and develop action plans. 

• The Council, as part of the new enterprise and business support service “Go Succeed”, will support 388 local entrepreneurs to achieve their start-up ambitions and support 400 businesses annually across Mid Ulster, to stimulate 128 new business starts and create 400 new jobs. 

• Through the Mid Ulster Labour Market Partnership (LMP), we will also support over 100 residents on a pathway back into employment or to gain new skills, improving their prospects of progression within the local labour market.    

• Digital transformation remains a priority as we seek to offer more efficient services to our ratepayers, whilst leaving no-one behind. We have also agreed on a number of internally focused transformation proposals; some will be progressed over the next year and some over the longer term. 

• We will continue to build on our environmental education work with schools including delivering Eco Schools programme support as well as an Eco Speak competition open to all local primary schools.

• The Council will be generating an additional £130K income from the sale of recyclates (scrap metal, cardboard and textiles), in addition to investing in improvements to our Recycling Centres in Dungannon and Cookstown. 

• The Council will be continuing to progress its draft Climate Change and Sustainability Action Plan delivering actions that will help build resilience to the potential negative impacts of climate change, whilst taking advantage of any possible opportunities.

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