In total, the Northern Irish local authority is projecting £1.5m in additional energy costs this financial year.

As well as the extra fleet costs, the council said there will be an additional cost of up to £980,000 for the electricity, gas and oil costs associated with its nine leisure centres.

A spokesperson for the council commented: ‘Whilst the council has currently fully mitigated these challenges in the current 2022/23 year through contingency reserves and expenditure control, the issues represent recurrent financial pressures which pose an unprecedented and extremely challenging position for council's 23/24 rates process.

‘The council has established a Finance Working Group where Elected Members are examining all budgets in detail and reviewing all possible saving opportunities in advance of the council striking the rate for 2023/24.’