More local authorities have announced their new rates for the 2021-22 financial year.

The vast majority of commissioners have issued a varying range of rate increases, with only three authorities, Marown, Santon and Peel, having so far announced rate freezes.

To explain the rises, nearly all authorities are pointing to contributions to civic amenity sites as being a factor.

Some authorities have also cited waste disposal charges at the energy from waste plant.

Onchan Commssioners have announced a rate of 326p in the pound, an increase of 0.93% from the last year.

It stated that it had recognised the current economic climate and impact of Covid, and so agreed that a proportion of expenditure be drawn from the authority’s reserves to reduce some of the impact to ratepayers.

Arbory and Rushen Parish Commissioners have ’reluctantly agreed’ to a 6p rate rise, representing an increase of 4.6% on the previous year.

The combined local authority attributed this to a ’significant shortfall’ in the income rebate due to the commissioners from the Southern Civic Amenity Site (SCAS)

Braddan Commissioners have set their 2021/2022 rate at 224p in the pound, a significant 10.3% rise from last year’s rate of 203p. Chair Andrew Jessop noted the development of a £6.5 million community centre as one of the reasons.

Port St Mary Commissioners have agreed a rate increase of 1%, equating to 349p.

Port Erin Commissioners have announced a rate of 316p, an increase of 1.9%.

Peel Commissioners have announced a rate freeze for the fifth consecutive year, remaining at 257p.

Ramsey Commissioners have set the rate at 415p, an increase of just under 1% over the previous year.

Castletown Commissioners have announced a 6p increase, bringing rates to 304p in a rise of 2%.

Chair David Parnell cited a shortfall in income from old properties being demolished, and the need to invest in the town’s ’aging’ infrastructure.

Garff Commissioners have announced a rate of 143p, a rise of 4.9% from last year, a decision which will be formally confirmed at a final meeting this evening - as the commissioners had so far only been able to meet virtually during lockdown to agree it.

Douglas Town Council have already announced a rate of 451p, which represents and increase of 1.6% over the previous year.

Council leader David Christian said that Covid-19 had exacted ’a heavy toll’ on the authority’s finances.

Marown Commissioners have also already set their rates at 164 pence in the pound, which is the same as the previous year, with Chief Minister Howard Quayle commenting that he was ’lucky’ to be living in the parish.

Santon is the third local authority to so far announce a rates freeze, remaining at 129p in the pound.