Due to financial pressure experienced by some of its tenants due to Covid-19, Ramsey Commissioners will recommend that public sector rents be increased by only 1% in the forthcoming financial year.

Finance officer Norman Cannell told the board: ’Some people are in significant debt, but I feel we do need to consider a rent increase of some sort. Inflation is creeping up and is predicted to increase significantly’.

Housing and property manager Mark Close added: ’The price of materials is going up as a knock-on effect of Covid and this is hampering progress on capital projects. We have to maintain these properties.’

It was with reluctance that the board agreed to recommend an increase, because not to do so might make the impact greater in years to come.

The final decision on how much rents will be increased by across the island will be made by the Department of Infrastructure after consulting with all local authorities.