Wilson provides reassurance on impact of RPA changes

Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson has reacted swiftly to scare stories about the impact on ratepayers of the reorganisation of local government under the Review of Public Administration.

The Minister was speaking after weekend news reports on how the move to the new 11 super-councils will impact on ratepayers. The Minister said: "This whole process is about delivering efficient local government and it is absurd and mischievous to suggest that this will lead to rate increases of over 20% in some areas. The DOE figurework that has been picked out, offers an incomplete view of things, does not consider the savings that will result, nor does it looks at overall rate bills.

"I can reassure ratepayers that this is about delivering value for money and the Executive will not preside over a local government reform process that would lead to rate increases of this scale."

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