With domestic and non-domestic rates set by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council set to increase following a majority vote of councillors last Thursday, a Fermanagh businessman has called on the Council to be transparent with where this money will go.

Councillors voted for the Council Domestic rate to increase by 5.59 per cent (0.4033p in the pound), with non-domestic properties increasing by 7.45 per cent (24.418p in the pound).

Rates comprise 45 per cent struck at a local level, with the remaining 55 per cent set by Stormont, but this will be undertaken by Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris in the absence of a functioning Northern Ireland Executive.

The Council Report on the Estimates Income and Expenditure for the Financial Year 2023-2024 stated the key factors include the general impact of inflation; salary and wages; the full delivery of quality services, and the provision of significant current and future capital investment.

Michael Cadden, of Pat’s Bar and The Enniskillen Hotel in the town, accepts that an increase in rates was likely and in line with other Councils but he now wants to see more from the Council in terms of where the money goes.

There is an overall increase of 10.75 per cent in service expenditure, bringing the total net expenditure to £43,306,789 – up by £4,201, 974 from 2022/23.

The Council aims to raise £41,210,433 through district rates from April 2023.

The report also detailed that salary and wage costs for 2023/24 are estimated at £ 32.7 million, an increase of £ 3.4 million from the previous year. This is 75 per cent of the net budget revenue costs.

Mr. Cadden believes the Council needs to look at efficiencies in Council operations: “We are hearing about rate rises without really any clear indication what the inefficiencies are in the Council.

“It is being blamed on the public sector pay rate increases, that’s all well and good but we are not hearing anything about efficiencies.

“Are we going to see a budget this year or are we going to get clarity around where the increased money is being spent?”

With some Council events being cancelled last year, such as the Hallowe’en fireworks display, Mr. Cadden wants the Council to use the money for an event like these that will boost the economy in the district.

“What is the point in employing all these people if they can’t afford to do anything with the rates?

“Ultimately, they put the rates up we accept that. We accept costs have gone up but is it now time to open the budget? Let us see where the money is being sent and where the money is being allocated and what I would plead with the Council for is some transparency and some communication about how we see a better spend of this money.”

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