Onchan Commissioners announce 2% rate rise

Onchan District Commissioners have announced a two per cent increase in rates, up to 318 pence in the pound.

The move was announced at a meeting last night, and will cost a rate-paying household just under £11 per year more on average.

Rates were frozen by the local authority in 2018, and over the last three years have risen 1.6 per cent.

Commissioner Robin Turton says average costs have gone up 9.1 per cent in this time, so the authority had to up rates to cover a projected deficit.

The change will come into effect from 1 April.

Charges ‘outside of the Board’s control’, such as a 3.2 inflationary increase, and a 5.8 per cent hike in waste disposal charges at the Energy From Waste Plant, are blamed for the rise.

In a statement, the local authority has also sought to stress ‘government’s involvement’ in these increases, and has asked the public to come to their own conclusions.

By Ewan Gawne - Local Democracy Reporter

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