To try and reduce its arrears of over $10 million, the Suva City Council is offering its ratepayers a discount for those who pay their rates in full for next year.

Lord Mayor Ratu Peni Volavola said a 10% discount will be offered on 2009 rates if these are paid in full from the 1st to the 31st of January next year.

Volavola said while this is not a new trend for the council, incentives do work to get people to pay their rates on time.