Onchan Commissioners is the latest local authority to confirm an increase in its housing rates.

The district rate for the financial year ending March 2021 will be increased by 5p to 323p in the pound, equivalent to a 1.57% increase.

Lead Member for finance and general purposes Martin Macfarlane thanked his fellow commissioners and officers for their contribution and prudent scrutiny throughout the budget setting process.

Mr Macfarlane said ’The overall financial position of the authority remains sound with healthy reserves. This forthcoming budget utilises recent efficiency gains to partially offset the impact of natural inflation and increased charges passed on from central government.

’During the past 12 months the Authority has continued on a journey to identify cost effective and innovative ways of providing services with a particular focus during this period on implementing improvements to working practices and the organisational structure.’

A spokesman for the board said: ’In setting a budget for the forthcoming year board members wished to sustain the current level of services to the community, maintain a rolling programme of maintenance and make provision for capital projects such as improving access for all members of the public to commissioners facilities and start a public toilet refurbishment programme.’

Onchan Commissioners offer a prompt payment discount of 4% where payment of rates is made in full by the June 30.