Inflation to blame for Manx rates hike, local authorities say

Rates in Onchan will go up by more than 10% in April

Increased refuse charges and inflation on the Isle of Man have been blamed for a raft of local authority rate hikes.

Ratepayers in Onchan are facing a 10% increase from April, the steepest rise confirmed for 2024 to 2025 so far.

Fenella Logan from Onchan Commissioners said the increase was needed to make sure that "services the community depends upon continue to be available".

Elsewhere, a 6% rate rise in Ramsey will see an average three-bed home pay an extra £36 a year.

Ramsey commissioner Robert Cowell said after "forensic scrutiny" their budget for the year was "very much about being conservative and the safe delivery of services".

'Increased dramatically'

The tax is based on the rental value of a property and is raised by the island's 21 local authorities to fund services like street lighting, bin collections and leisure facilities.

Ms Logan said high inflation, escalating utilities and rising refuse costs, including an 8% increase in gate costs at the energy from waste plant, were responsible for the jump in Onchan rates.

"Running costs have surged, reflecting the broader financial landscape," she added.

Rates in Castletown were upped by 9%, as board chairman Jamie Horton said local authorities faced "unprecedented" financial challenges.

Rate bills in Port Erin are set to climb by 4.7%, a rise the local authority said would support "further investment" alongside the agreed increased rate which would help keep the Southern Swimming Pool open.

Meanwhile, Peel Commissioners are set to introduce a rate rise of 1.1%, with a flat increase to the refuse charge of £34 per household.

Ray Harmer from the authority told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that energy from waste plant charges had "increased dramatically" and therefore had to be passed on to ratepayers.

But in Malew rates will not be changed, the commissioners said it was "down to new residential and commercial development in the parish".

Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X? You can also send story ideas to [e-mail]