SDLP Group Leader Councillor Brian Tierney
Councillors voted for a 6.5% increase on Wednesday evening, with SDLP councillors voting against.
The rate was passed by 18 votes to 17. All Sinn Féin councillors (18) supported the increase, while the DUP abstained.
Councillor Tierney said: “The SDLP could not support this considerable rates increase that will punish the worst off in our city and district at a time when families are already under serious financial pressure.
“As councillors it’s our job to stand up for the people we represent and there’s no way we could allow this to pass at a time when so many constituents are telling us how hard they find it keeping their heads above water.
“It’s disappointing that while at Stormont Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill is saying people should not be expected to pay more at such a difficult time, the party’s councillors in Derry are doing the opposite.
“Throughout the rates process SDLP councillors did everything we could to bring the rate down, we look at creative measures that would lower the rate without impacting services or our council facilities, but were unable to reach an agreement that would protect ratepayers for this unjustifiable rise.
“Over the past few years we have seen the British government make huge real-terms cuts to the Rates Support Grant which supports councils like ours.
“We cannot simply pass the consequences of this harmful Tory policy on to ratepayers here who have already suffered so much from austerity and the lack of government at Stormont.
“We all want to see the best services and facilities for people living in this council area, but yearly rates increases are unsustainable, that’s the message we hear regularly form the public and business owners.
“The SDLP will continue to work to protect people who are struggling financially and to ensure that we have a council that delivers the best results for families here,” added Cllr Tierney.
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