Castletown property rates to rise 9% from April

Residents in Castletown are facing bill increases from April

Residents in Castletown are facing an above-inflation rate rise from April, the local authority has confirmed.

Ratepayers face a hike of 9% in their domestic rates and 8.9% in the refuse rate.

That equates to an average town rate rise of £38.40 for a modern three-bedroom home, plus a flat increase of £18 annually for waste collection.

Board chairman Jamie Horton said local authorities were facing an "unprecedented challenge" financially.

The rises have been put down to the continued escalation in fees at the incinerator, increased staffing requirements at weekends, staff wage rises and interest on a previous capital scheme, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Gate fees at the Energy From Waste plant are set to rise 8%, with the town's contribution to the Southern Civic Amenity Site rising by 10%.

The local authority said although no new rate-born capital schemes were planned for the year, funds had been earmarked for the design work of a phased improvement plan for Poulsom Park.

Rate reform

Services funded by the town, but accessible to those in the surrounding areas, include the local library and providing a venue for the regional delivery of Manx Care vaccination programs.

Mr Horton said: "A comprehensive, long-term plan is urgently needed to ensure adequate funding for essential local services, both in the immediate future and for years to come.

"I would urge our national politicians to address rate reform and ensure that all the island residents contribute to services in a more equitable manner."

The current rating system, which is based on 1970s rental prices, means many older properties are subject to lower rate payments than modern properties, with rateable values ranging from £24 to £1020.

A Commissioners' three-bedroom house with an integral garage has a rateable value of £120 and would see the rate increased by £38.40, while some older properties of a similar size have a rateable value of £50 and would face a £16 rise.