Review of the Rates Support Grant (RSG)
The Department for Communities (DfC) commissioned an independent review of the mechanism of the Rates Support Grant (RSG). The review of the RSG was carried out by Business Consultancy Services (BCS) (now known as Innovation and Consultancy Services (ICS)), Department of Finance.
The review
The review was solely on the formula / mechanism of the RSG. The current RSG mechanism is contained in Section 27 of the Local Government Finance Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and the Local Government (Rates Support Grant) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011.
The RSG which is discretionary in terms of amount, looks at the needs and wealth of each Council in comparison to other Northern Ireland Councils.