Many island residents face increased charges as rates are going up in several local authorities.

Arbory parish rates go up by 2.56% to 120p in the pound (from 117p).

The authority said the increase was necessary due to inflationary increases of over 4% in many of the commissioners’ core spending areas.

Some of the increase will fund more activities in the parish for younger parishioners and to support the government’s ’Year of Our Island’ initiative.

The rate in Castletown increases by 21p in the pound, bringing it up to 341p in the pound. More revenue was needed to continue improvements the authority said.

The sheading of Garff retains the same rate; three authorities are merging and the rates are 154p in Laxey, 103p in Lonan and 107p in Maughold.

There is no increase in Malew parish, where rates remain at 175p.

The authority said there was continued pressure on budget estimates but projects such as the redevelopment of the Clagh Vane estate would increase the rate revenue over the coming years.

Replacing all the lighting in the commissioners’ offices and Ballasalla Medical Centre, with low energy LED lighting last year will lead to cost saving in the long term.

The board is also in active discussions with other local authorities regarding a number of collaborative opportunities to identify further cost savings.

The children’s play equipment at the commissioners’ field at Feigh Keign will be renewed and works to improve the drainage.

Onchan’s rates remain at 312p.

Peel Commissioners agreed to freeze the town rate for the second year at 257p in the pound. However,the separate refuse rate (which pays for domestic waste collection and disposal and civic amenity site costs) increases from £170 to £174 per property because of inflationary increase in costs.

The rate in Port Erin increases by 4.86% to 302p in the pound because of ’rising costs’. Commissioners’ chairman Nick Watterson said: ’We should maybe put this in context. Over the last four years Port Erin Commissioners’ rate has increased by only 3.57% against a 16.7% increase in RPI over that same period giving a saving of 13.13%. This has been achieved by our officers and staff, who have implemented a wide number of cost cutting measures and operational efficiencies.’

Mr Watterson pointed out commissioners control under half the final bill householders pay.

’Manx Utilities and Rushen Burial Authority may of course increase their respective elements of the rates. This, however, is outside of our control, and is likely to have a larger impact on the overall rates demand.’

Schemes include improvements to children’s play areas, decorative street lighting, beach access and activities.

’We are also in active discussions with other local authorities regarding a number of collaborative opportunities to identify further cost savings.’

Port St Mary’s rate increases by 5.2% from 315p to 331p in the pound.