The Strategic Policy and Resources Committee (SPRC) had proposed that the rate increase should be set to 3.8% for 2026/27.

That would raise £218,945,031 over the financial year, according to documents from the committee.

SDLP Councillor Seamas De Faoite initially sought to propose lowering this increase to 3%, and later 3.13% following a correction.

He said: “We will be making a proposal that we go for a lower level than what was set earlier today, that we go for a 3% increase, that that recognises in response to the particular issues raised throughout the process around inflationary pressures, around costs.

“And that it begins the process of helping us set up a growth pot to be able to address things like house and bedroom generation and other things that we’ve talked about before. And I think that all of us can agree on should be priorities for the city.”

The Lisnasharragh councillor added that large underspends in funding have arisen, and argued that the council must ensure “smart financial decisions” are being made.

People Before Profit Councillor Michael Collins proposed to freeze rates altogether and could not “in good conscience” support a rise.

“Particularly as the cost of living continues to soar,” Mr Collins added. “And the price of other Council services continue to rise as well.”

He noted that the cost of weddings, funerals, burials, cremations, leisure services, and “even the Belfast City Hall exhibitions have seen a marked price increase in recent years. And despite this rates continue to soar”.

DUP councillor Sarah Bunting supported the rates increase in order to help community services that are supported by the levy.

“This is serious and this is an impact on our rate payers. And we understand those pressures on working families,” she said.

“And we hear from them every day about the impact on them. But if we set a rate this low, it also impacts the delivery from this council on those day-to-day services that they need. The bin collections and the streets being cleaned.”

The council subsequently voted against Mr de Faoite’s proposal to lower the rates by five votes in favour and 50 against.

A vote to defer the matter back to the SPRC committee was successful with 46 for and 11 against.

The Council have a statutory duty to have a rate struck by February 15.