City Rates Agreed: Major Investment for North Belfast & Our Communities

has recently set the district rate for 2026/27, confirming a 4.48 per cent increase. While any rate adjustment can raise questions, this decision unlocks substantial investment aimed at enhancing services, supporting communities, and driving progress right across our city, with many positive impacts expected for residents here in North Belfast.

For residents, this means a modest average weekly increase, which varies by property type. For example, terraced properties will see an average rise of £0.33 per week, while a three-bed semi-detached property will increase by £0.46. A four-bed detached property will see an average increase of £1.11, and apartments by £0.32. For businesses, office properties will see an average weekly increase of £8.22, and retail properties £6.74. It’s worth remembering that your total rates bill comprises both this district rate, set by the council, and a regional rate determined by the NI Executive.

Crucially, a significant portion of this funding is earmarked for direct community benefit and environmental improvements. We’ll see the rollout of a city-wide graffiti removal programme and a dedicated power washing team, helping to keep our neighbourhoods clean. There will also be more apprenticeship opportunities within the council, providing valuable pathways into employment for local people. In a boost for household recycling, purple boxes for glass collection will be distributed to all remaining homes currently without a kerbside scheme.

Community organisations are set to receive a major injection of support, with an additional £600,000 allocated this year, bringing the total extra funding for the Community Support Plan to £2.1 million. This aims to foster active, engaged, and resilient communities. A further £500,000 is dedicated to a city-wide capacity building programme, empowering local groups to develop the skills needed to access other grant opportunities. There's also an additional £100,000 to fund projects specifically designed to divert young people away from anti-social behaviour during the busy summer months of July and August, alongside another £100,000 to help local sports clubs participate in elite-level competitions.

A substantial £1 million will go towards supporting housing-led regeneration across Belfast, aiming to revitalise neighbourhoods. The council also plans continued progress on the development of an indoor sports facility at Girdwood, a key project that will complete the £105 million leisure transformation programme, which has already seen a remarkable 106% increase in centre usage since 2017. Furthermore, the development of the Belfast Stories visitor attraction, a flagship project within the £1 billion Belfast Region City Deal, will continue to advance.

Our local sports facilities are getting a boost with the continued rollout of the £15 million pitches programme. This includes £1 million for floodlights at council partner-run sports facilities, allowing for evening and weekend use. Work will also continue at 18 more pitches, building on recent improvements at locations like Henry Jones, City of Belfast (Mallusk), Strangford Avenue, and Falls Park Playing Fields. Environmental efforts are also a priority, with over £500,000 of biodiversity funding supporting a Local Biodiversity Action Plan, the Nature Town Cities initiative, and plans for urban meadows, enhancing our green spaces, as well as events and bespoke projects to engage residents and communities in more sport and physical activity as part of the European City of Sport programme.

Belfast will also host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann this summer, an event expected to attract at least 800,000 visitors and generate over £70 million for the local economy. The city's waste management will see improvements with three additional bin collection crews and an extra small vehicle, enhancing weekly cleansing across 17,000 streets. Beyond major events, £11.1 million in grants will be provided to community and grassroots organisations city-wide for events, cultural activities, and projects tackling anti-social behaviour and promoting safety.

Further improvements are planned for our parks and community facilities, including upgrades to playgrounds and games areas. The development of more greenways at Blackstaff, Sydenham, and Black Mountain will further support active travel. The council will also continue operating 22 community centres and six play centres across the city. The successful Vacant to Vibrant scheme, with DfC, receives another £700,000 in grants to help bring empty properties back into use in local neighbourhoods. Finally, £15.8 million is allocated to 20 capital projects, including enhancements at Cathedral Gardens, vital repair works at historic sites like Floral Hall, Wilmont House, Assembly Rooms, and Fernhill House, alongside the redevelopment of Ballysillan Playing Fields and new facilities at Waterworks and Alexandra Park through the PEACE PLUS Reconnected Belfast project.