Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council will consider a motion to request a review of rates relief for British service personnel stationed in Northern Ireland.

Independent Councillor Gary Hynds plans to submit the motion. It calls on the council to contact Finance Minister John O’Dowd to examine how the current rates system affects serving personnel. The motion also asks the council to investigate further support options for military members.

Councillor Hynds stated that Lisburn maintains strong ties to the Armed Forces community. He noted that serving personnel contacted him about financial strains from paying full domestic rates while deployed away from home for extended periods.

Hynds emphasized that personnel in Northern Ireland pay full rates on their homes, unlike soldiers elsewhere in the UK who qualify for reductions up to 50% in some instances.

The councillor argued that Armed Forces members deserve consistent treatment across the United Kingdom for their service sacrifices, including time away from families.