To ask the Minister of Finance and Personnel how the public will be made aware of the relevant changes for rate payers under the new local government structure.

The reform of local government in Northern Ireland presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for the new councils to better serve the communities they represent and it will be up to the new local councils to make their ratepayers aware of the benefits that will result. However, decreasing the number of councils from 26 to 11 will present immediate challenges, including the issue of the convergence of district rates. The Member may already be aware that I announced the final details of a scheme to manage this issue on 20th November.

Now that the final make-up of the Scheme has been announced, my Department will be making ratepayers aware of the support being provided to help ease the transition. The Scheme provides an automatic subsidy to domestic and non domestic ratepayers located in areas where district rates are relatively low. There is no need for anyone to apply for this, help and details will be provided in the rating leaflet that issues with the ‘turn of year’ rate bills. In advance of this, DFP will be producing an online factsheet and publicising details of the Scheme on its website.