Lisburn North independent councillor Gary Hynds plans to submit a motion at Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council this week. The motion calls for rates relief for British Army personnel from Northern Ireland during overseas deployments.

Soldiers from Northern Ireland must pay full domestic rates on their homes while deployed. Soldiers from other parts of the UK receive reductions, including up to 50% in some cases in Great Britain.

The Ministry of Defence provides council tax relief of 4.32 pounds per day. Northern Ireland's domestic rates system offers no equivalent built-in relief for military personnel.

Hynds stated that Lisburn maintains strong military connections and an active Armed Forces community. He noted that serving personnel contacted him about financial pressures from long deployments away from home.

The motion requests the council write to Finance Minister John O'Dowd to review rates application for serving personnel. It also urges exploration of further support for military members.

Hynds emphasised that Armed Forces personnel make sacrifices including extended time away from families. He argued for consistent treatment across the United Kingdom in rates policies.

Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn serves as headquarters for the British Army in Northern Ireland.

The motion heads to the council's corporate services committee for discussion.