10/02/2026
Derry City and Strabane Council Announces Rates Increase
Derry City and Strabane District Council has formalised its budget for the 2026/27 financial year, confirming a district rate increase of 4.48%.
The decision, reached during a special meeting on Monday, 9 February 2026, will result in an average domestic rates rise of £27.79 per year, or approximately 53p per week. For business owners, the non-domestic district rate will move to 41.3735 pence in the pound.
Lead Finance Officer Alfie Dallas explained that the increase is split into two parts: a 2.68% baseline rise to manage inflation and statutory pressures—such as rising utility costs and waste contracts—and a 1.8% investment directed toward growth and service development.
A major focus of this year's budget is the Council's ambitious £711m capital investment programme. This includes:
• Leisure Projects: Up to £120m in funding is secured for strategic leisure developments in Templemore and Strabane as they move into detailed design and planning.
• Community Investment: A further £1.4m in match funding has been allocated to unlock £12.6m from the Government's Shaping Sustainable Places initiative.
• City Deal: Resources will be added to the City Deal team to support the transformative £307m investment programme for the region.
The budget also includes £1.1m in non-recurrent funding for specific regional priorities. Notably, £200,000 has been earmarked for the 40th anniversary of Derry's world-famous Halloween festival. Other allocations include £300,000 for new Christmas lights and £600,000 for a pilot sports development grant scheme.
Addressing the unique financial position of the district, Mr Dallas noted that while the region has the lowest average property values in Northern Ireland—keeping overall bills lower than most other councils—it necessitates a higher rate poundage to maintain services. He confirmed the Council would continue to lobby the Government for the reinstatement of the Rates Support Grant to ease the burden on less wealthy areas.
Despite the increase, many local businesses will continue to benefit from support, with 14% of non-domestic properties remaining exempt from rates and 40% eligible for Small Business Property Relief.
The decision, reached during a special meeting on Monday, 9 February 2026, will result in an average domestic rates rise of £27.79 per year, or approximately 53p per week. For business owners, the non-domestic district rate will move to 41.3735 pence in the pound.
Lead Finance Officer Alfie Dallas explained that the increase is split into two parts: a 2.68% baseline rise to manage inflation and statutory pressures—such as rising utility costs and waste contracts—and a 1.8% investment directed toward growth and service development.
A major focus of this year's budget is the Council's ambitious £711m capital investment programme. This includes:
• Leisure Projects: Up to £120m in funding is secured for strategic leisure developments in Templemore and Strabane as they move into detailed design and planning.
• City Deal: Resources will be added to the City Deal team to support the transformative £307m investment programme for the region.
The budget also includes £1.1m in non-recurrent funding for specific regional priorities. Notably, £200,000 has been earmarked for the 40th anniversary of Derry's world-famous Halloween festival. Other allocations include £300,000 for new Christmas lights and £600,000 for a pilot sports development grant scheme.
Addressing the unique financial position of the district, Mr Dallas noted that while the region has the lowest average property values in Northern Ireland—keeping overall bills lower than most other councils—it necessitates a higher rate poundage to maintain services. He confirmed the Council would continue to lobby the Government for the reinstatement of the Rates Support Grant to ease the burden on less wealthy areas.
Despite the increase, many local businesses will continue to benefit from support, with 14% of non-domestic properties remaining exempt from rates and 40% eligible for Small Business Property Relief.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.