An ongoing failure by Stormont’s leaders to table a plan on rates reforms on to the Executive agenda means the proposals to raise added revenue can now not be implemented next year, MLAs have heard.
Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald told members of her Assembly scrutiny committee that the deadline to implement her suggested measures in time for the 2025/26 financial year had now passed.
The revenue raising plan includes raising the cap on rates bills that applies to householders living in more expensive homes.
Matthew O’Toole suggested the paper was being ‘blocked’ from going on the Executive agenda (PA)
Proposals can only go forward for approval by the wider Stormont Executive if Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle O’Neill and DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly agree to put it on the agenda of an Executive meeting.
Ms Archibald told committee members on Wednesday that agreement to put her rates proposals on the agenda has not yet been forthcoming.
The Sinn Fein minister passed the paper to the Executive Office in early to mid October and it is understood she has requested it to be tabled on the agenda on a number of occasions.
“I had brought proposals to the Executive, they haven’t made the agenda of the Executive as yet,” she told members.
“I am keen that we ensure that we have a rating system that’s up to date, that is as fair and equitable as possible.
“I have been asked about specific things, for example the max cap, which I was minded to look at raising the level in some respect and to make it more progressive. Unfortunately, the proposals haven’t made it as far as the Executive table yet.”
SDLP committee chairman Matthew O’Toole pressed the minister on why the paper had not been discussed by fellow ministers around the Executive table.
“The agenda is agreed by the First Minister and deputy First Minister and a number of ministers have expressed support for my proposals but it hasn’t yet made the agenda,” the minister replied.
Ms Archibald declined to be drawn when asked by Mr O’Toole who had “blocked” the paper going on the agenda.
DUP MLA Phillip Brett asked the minister what was the “hard cut off” date for implementing changes ahead of bills for 2025/26 being issued to householders.
“It’s already passed,” Ms Archibald replied.
“So I had hoped that we would have considered it before now, because it would have had to go back out to consultation. It would have only required secondary legislation to make the amendments that I was proposing, but it would still have had a legislative process to go through.
“So it won’t be possible to implement any of those changes now for 25/26. So we won’t be able to raise any additional revenue in the incoming financial year from those proposals.”