Minister Hargey confirms further financial assistance for councils

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced additional funding of £2.435m to assist councils with their financial pressures.

Additional Rates Support tweet

The move is a further demonstration of the Minister’s commitment to supporting councils through the COVID-19 pandemic having already secured £85.3m in additional funding.

Minister Hargey said:

“My Department has worked closely with councils to support them through this pandemic, which can be seen in the significant sum of funding that has been secured to date.  Over £85m is being used to support councils with the loss of income and additional costs they have experienced as a result of the pandemic restrictions. 

“This further £2.435m in Rates Support Grant in 2020-21 will be of great assistance to councils at this time. 

 

“I know the support secured to date has been welcomed across local government.  I am committed to continuing to work together for the benefit of all the people we serve.”

A Rates Support Grant (RSG) provides financial support to eligible councils whose needs exceed their wealth as determined by statutory formula.  Seven of the 11 councils are eligible.  The seven councils have already received £15.865m of RSG for 2020/21.  This announcement represents an additional one-off increase in RSG, bringing to £18.3m the amount of RSG issued in 2020/21.

Notes to editors: 

1. A Rates Support Grant is a statutory payment but the amount paid is discretionary.  This grant therefore must be considered in the context of the Department for Communities overall budget priorities.
2. The payment is to provide financial support to eligible councils whose needs exceed their wealth as determined by statutory formula.
3. The additional one-off allocation of Rates Support Grant to the eligible council is as follows:-

• Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon – £377,775
• Causeway Coast and Glens - £332,441
• Derry and Strabane - £458,725
• Fermanagh and Omagh - £137,163
• Mid and East Antrim – £383,620
• Mid Ulster - £517,702
• Newry, Mourne and Down - £227,574

4. Media enquiries to DfC Press Office via email:
5. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The Duty Press Officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
6. Follow the Department on Twitter @CommunitiesNI

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