ONCHAN rates will rise by 5p in the pound this year, it’s been decided.
Onchan Commissioners met on Monday and Ernie Thorn, lead member for finance and general purposes, successfully proposed Onchan’s first rate increase for three years. Rates will rise to 271p in the pound, a 1.8 per cent inrease on last year.
In his report, Mr Thorn said: ‘The rate has been set in the knowledge of some increased charges that will be payable in 2012-13.’ He said these would include an increase in government’s charge for the disposal of domestic refuse from £30.74 to £35 per tonne as of April 1.
‘Also we have regretfully lost the contract to provide the refuse collection services to Braddan Parish Commissioners; this will result in an increase in our net expenditure for our refuse service,’ he said, adding Onchan had decided to opt out of the kerbside recycling scheme.
He warned of the possibility of further increased costs from government in future.
Mr Thorn said due to prudent financial management public services had been provided for less than budgeted. This, he said, meant some of the underspend could be used to make capital improvements to some of the authority’s facilities. These will include going ahead with the delayed refurbishments to Onchan Youth and Community Centre, the creation of a sensory garden next to Onchan Park, a number of improvements to facilities in Onchan Park, including the provision of outdoor gym equipment, improvements to Onchan Library and to commissioners’ properties, including some of the garages rented out to tenants and others.
He noted: ‘This has been a difficult year for the commissioners with the passing of Ray Kniveton and resignation of Brian Stowell, both of whom we thank for their service to the district. This necessitated a by-election and I am happy to have welcomed John Quaye and Robin Turton to our ranks.’
Douglas Council is due to set its rate today (Friday).
Other local authority rates decided so far include: Malew - remains unchanged at 152 pence in the pound; Arbory - remains unchanged at 88 pence in the pound; Castletown - remains unchanged at 320 pence in the pound.