Douglas Council leaders opposed to 'all-Island' business rate

Issue to be discussed at next week's meeting

The leaders of Douglas Council are opposed to the introduction of an all-Island business rate, over fears it'll restrict income.

Members of the executive committee agreed the Cabinet Office concept should be 'strongly resisted' for introducing 'yet another rating authority'.

They met last month to discuss a consultation by government, which proposes a number of changes to the collection of rates and how they're collected.

A series of concepts are put forward in the survey, including that rateable values could be assessed on the floor area of properties, which would be measured using aerial photographs.

It's also proposed that a central authority collects non-domestic rates, and then distributes the funds to projects which meet certain criteria.

These issues will be discussed at a full council meeting on Wednesday (10 April), with a set of responses to the consultation yet to be finalised.