Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said:

“It is an absolutely disgrace that Mid and East Antrim Council voted through a massive rate increase of nearly 12%. Why should our members and other small businesses in Mid and East Antrim have to bail out an inept council for its inability to balance its own budget?”

“Independent retailers and small businesses are already paying the highest business rates in the UK and this Council has made an already bad situation worse by this shameful decision”.

“Mid and East Antrim’s senior leadership team and the Councillors who voted for this increase have serious questions to answer”

“In England small businesses are getting a 75% reduction in their rates to assist with the Cost of Doing Business Crisis. Despite the UK Government giving Northern Ireland this funding as part of the Barnett Consequential, our local small businesses are unlikely to see a single penny of reduction in their rates bills”

“Why should independent retailers and small businesses in Northern Ireland be so unfairly treated in comparison to their English counterparts? Our local business sector shouldn’t be targets for additional revenue raising at the Council or NI Executive level”.

“At the very least the Finance Minister should freeze the non-domestic Regional Business Rate and begin an immediate fundamental review of our broken and antiquated rating system”

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With the global focus on reducing carbon emissions and improving meaningful sustainability within business and communities, the prestigious awards celebrated the best in business and communities across Ireland.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council scooped silver for their leading work on the pilot Hydrogen Training Academy, which recognises the Council’s success in working with partners including Northern Regional College to regenerate the Borough through skills development and delivery in a key emerging sector. This is the fifth award for the HTA over the last year reflecting the success of the initiative and the role it is playing in supporting achievement of net zero targets.  It is also helping to combat challenges such as rising operational and energy costs.

Council were also finalists in the Biodiversity Initiative of the Year for the Keeran Moss Peat Restoration Project and the Net Zero Initiative of the Year for the Pilot Hydrogen Training Academy (HTA).

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna, said: “Council is thrilled to win this fantastic award and to be recognised as finalists in a number of other categories at the awards. It is testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and numerous partners, who work collaboratively to deliver a range of exciting initiatives – including the uniquely innovative Hydrogen Training Academy pilot”.  Alderman Mulvenna added “The HTA is helping to cement NI as a leader in the green energy sector through the development of the key skills required to meet industry and market demand, tapping into the opportunity in green energy and clean technology.   Congratulations and well done to everyone involved!”

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