Residents of Malew are facing a 7.5% increase in rates due to a £30,000 rise in contributions to the Southern Civic Amenity site.

Commissioners say the way they pay for the shared facility has changed, and is now based on operating costs alone, without including estimated income, writes local democracy reporter Ewan Gawne.

The change accounts for most of the hike, and will see the authority pay £105,000 into the site. A rise in operating costs has also been blamed for the increase. The parish rate will be set at 199p from April, a rise of 14 pence.

Meanwhile, ratepayers in Lezayre will see their bills increase by 7p in the pound.

Commissioners say the 8% rise is down to increased costs, such as charges at the Northern Civic Amenity site, but also to budget for the cost of an election in April.

The rate is currently fixed at 92 pence in the pound.

Despite this, residents in the parish will still be paying some of the lowest rates in the island, second only to those in Bride. Commissioners there have increaseed their rates by five pence, up to 48p in the pound.

In Michael, rates will increase by 3.6% due to the rising cost of waste management.

The new rate will be 142 pence in the pound, up 5p.

Commissioners say the hike is to cover the rising cost of contributions to the Western Civic Amenity site.

It says it has invested in new disabled toilets and play equipment in the last four years, while seeking to maintain services ’handed down’ from central government in 2015.