Braddan announces ‘modest’ 0.5% rate increase

The chairman of Braddan Commissioners says the authority’s 0.5 per cent rate increase to 201 pence in the pound is ‘modest’.

Andrew Jessopp says the board underspent last year, and can therefore afford to be bear the brunt of increasing pensions and waste costs with a small rise.

A reduction in the discount offered for early payment of rates was also introduced in an effort to curb spending.

The authority has an expected rates income in excess of a million pounds for the next financial year, a third which will be spent on staffing costs.

The rest will predominantly go on waste disposal fees and projects in the community.

Mr Jessopp hints that changes to the recreation areas in Clybane, Snugborough and Cronk Grianagh Park are on the cards over the next financial year.

The chairman also wants to see a renewed effort in encouraging recycling in the parish, as well as endeavouring to keep it ‘clean and tidy’.

Local authorities across the Island have cautioned that rates were likely to increase this year, due to a series of costs being passed on from central to local government.

These include the end of the contracting out of the second state pension, a pay award settlement, and a 5.7 per cent rise in waste disposal charges.