5.2% rates rise for Arbory and Rushen

Arbory and Rushen Commissioners say they'll be putting their rates up by 9p this year.

The board says the increase, of 5.2 per cent, is more than double the current rate of inflation but has been driven by rising waste costs.

Chairman Peter Gunn says refuse collection and disposal, along with the Southern Civic Amenity Site, accounts for more than 60 per cent of the local authority's annual spending.

In a statement on Facebook, commissioners say an ongoing LED street light project will bring savings for ratepayers.