The district rate increase for Belfast is to stay below 2% for the sixth year running, councillors have agreed.

The increase for the 2020/21 period will be 1.99%, meaning domestic ratepayers will pay an average extra charge of 63 pence per month.

Around 43% of the total rate bill received by residents and businesses is set by the council, with the remainder determined by Stormont governmental departments.

The increase for business rates remains dependent on the Revaluation 2020 by Land and Property Services, which takes affect this April.

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Chair of the council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, Alderman Brian Kingston said the rate cap continues amid major investment projects across the city.

Cllr Kingston commented: "Two of our new leisure centres have recently opened with another due to open in April as part of our £105m leisure transformation programme.

"We have invested almost £50 million directly into communities across Belfast, funding projects at a neighbourhood level. Council has also invested in projects which are helping to regenerate facilities for our residents as well as those who invest in or visit the city by supporting local tourism, new jobs and social economy initiatives."

A document explaining where the funds are put to use will be included in the summer edition of City Matters, the council's free residents' magazine, which will be delivered to every home in Belfast in June.