Civic amenity site blamed for Arbory and Rushen rate rise

A 4.6 per cent rate rise in Arbory and Rushen is being blamed on an increase in charges at the Southern Amenity Site.

The local authority there has announced the rate for the next financial year has been set at 136 pence in the pound.

Commissioners Chair Jane Glover MBE said it was a decision ‘not taken lightly’.

The main reason, if you look at our accounts and our statements, is the way that the Southern Civic Amenity site is administered altered a couple of years ago.

There was an increase in charges last year of about 38 per cent but the offset of that was we were due to get income back from the site.

Unfortunately, what we were due to get back hasn’t materialised”, Mrs Glover revealed.

She continued: “I certainly think we will get questions [about the decision to increase rates] and that’s fair enough.

Whenever you’re looking at the rates you’re going to be charged you should be wondering what’s involved.

We were particularly reluctant to have to make this rise because we are acutely aware of how many people may be struggling this year.

It’s not something we wanted to do, but had to do.'