Majority of rates going up for residents across the Island

Two local authorities have opted to reduce theirs for the next financial year

Local authorities have been setting their rates for the next financial year (starting 1 April), with the majority announcing increases for residents.

Ratepayers in Andreas and Michael will see the biggest jumps - these are going up by 30 percent and 23 percent respectively.

However, Castletown and Marown Commissioners have chosen to reduce their rates by a couple of pence. 

But how do they compare to the others?

Andreas

Andreas Commissioners has set its rate to 188 pence in the pound.

That is a 30 percent hike (44p) on 2025, when it was 144p.

The local authority says the increase has taken into account ‘anticipated increases’ in costs at the Northern Civic Amenity Site and the Ramsey Swimming Pool.

It’s also ‘upgrading’ the parishes street lighting and carrying out ‘extensive’ refurbishment work on the war memorial.

A fixed refuse charge has been set at £54 per household.

Arbory and Rushen

Arbory and Rushen Commissioners has increased its rate to 188 pence in the pound.

This is a five pence increase on last year – when it was set at 183p.

The local authority says for every £100 spent, more than half goes on waste, £13 goes towards public spaces and buildings and the Southern Swimming Pool takes £3.25. 

Chair Kirrie Jenkins said: “The reality is that the majority of the parish rate is driven by costs that are largely outside the direct control of the Commissioners, particularly waste disposal. We continue to fully support the Southern Civic Amenity Site which remains a valued service for our residents and Recycle Collect, an optional doorstep recycling service.”

Braddan

Braddan Commissioners has raised its rate to 367 pence in the pound.

This is a 2.8 percent increase (10p) on last year’s figure, which was set at 357p.

Chair of Braddan Commissioners Neal Mellon says the budget is ‘prudent’ and ‘community focussed’.

A refuse charge to residents has also increased to £122 per household - this is an increase of thirty pounds.

Mr Mellon added: "We would encourage residents to make use of the available kerbside recycling scheme as this has the scope to influence the fixed refuse charge in the future.”

Bride 

Bride Commissioners has kept its rate at 70 pence in the pound.

This is the third year in a row the rate has stayed the same – which the commissioners say is due to 'careful stewardship'.

The fixed refuse charge has been set at £54 per household.

Ballaugh 

Ballaugh Commissioners has increased its rate to 143 pence in the pound.

That’s a 3.6 percent rise compared to last year, when it was set at 138p.

A fixed refuse charge has been set at £54 per household.

Castletown

Castletown Commissioners has set its rate for the next year at 395 pence in the pound.

This is a decrease of three pence from last year, when the rate was set at 398p.

Chair Tony Brown said: "The board and its committees, along with our staff and external support have undertaken a considerable amount of work to fully examine and develop a realistic budget for the financial year ahead - 2026/2027, which we hope will not only safeguard our towns public services but will also help support our community."

A refuse charge for residents will also be dropped to £220 per household.

Douglas

Douglas Council has increased its rate to 620 pence in the pound – the highest of all local authorities.

That’s a 2.99 percent rise compared to last year, when the rate was set at 602p.

Council Leader Devon Watson said:" I believe this budget reflects that ethos in a number of ways; the overall £14.1 million capital investment in public sector homes incorporating £6.3 million for new build housing developments; more than £1 million we have pledged to invest in play areas in the city over the next two years, the £2.5 million earmarked for Promenade infrastructure improvements and the £0.5m programme to upgrade public lighting."

He added that the local authority is 'firmly committed' to delivering essential public services for the city.

Garff

Garff Commissioners has set its rate at 215 pence in the pound for the upcoming financial year.

This is an increase of nine pence on last year when the rate was set at 204p. 

It says this will pay for the civic amenity site provision, disposal charges at the Energy from Waste plant, and refuse collection.

The local authority also added that the costs of an election for two seats in Lonan Ward has also required funding.

A fixed refuse charge has been set at £242 per household.

Jurby

Jurby Commissioners have approved its rate at 177 pence in the pound.

This is a 3.7 percent increase (six pence) on 2025 when it was 171p.

The commissioners said: "The board recognises the financial pressures that the residents of Jurby are under and have worked to minimise any increase for this year."

A fixed refuse charge has been set at £54 per household.

Lezayre

Lezayre Commissioners has set its rate at 120 pence in the pound.

That’s a five percent increase on last year.

The local authority says it continues to collect and provide funds for services including hedge cutting, gully cleaning, the Northern Civic Amenity Site, Northern Swimming Pool and road sweeping. 

A fixed refuse charge has been set at £54 per household.

Malew

Malew Commissioners has kept its rate at 199 pence in the pound.

This is the fifth year in a row the rate has stayed the same – which the commissioners put down to new housing and industrial development in the parish.

The local authority also said it follows a 'careful review' of current and future finances.

Marown

Marown Commissioners has reduced its rate to 236 pence in the pound.

It's a decrease of 1.2 percent – last year the rate was 239p.

The local authority says it's due to historic outstanding rates being collected, on its behalf, by government.

Michael

Michael Commissioners has set its rate at 199 pence in the pound.

This is a 23 percent hike (38p) from 2025 when it was 161p.

In a statement the commissioners said: "Our strategic goal is to build a financial resilience and create a robust reserve to ensure long-term stability and to maintain continuity of services."

A fixed refuse charge has been set at £54 per household.

Onchan

Onchan Commissioners has increased its rates by six percent for the next financial year. 

It's been set at 457 pence in the pound - which the local authority says will cover loan repayments of nearly £900,000 to fund street lighting schemes across the village. 

Lead Member for Finance Oliver Lockwood says the increase will also support its reserves and believes it's 'important' there is a 'sufficient' level to meet any 'unexpected expenditure' in the future.

Patrick

Patrick Commissioners has increased its rates by two percent for the next financial year. 

It's been set at 255 pence in the pound which the local authority says is 'broadly' in line with inflation.

The commissioners add it's hoping to tender work during the next few years for verge scraping alongside routine maintenance in the parish.

It's also increasing the cost for second bins to £90 for an additional bin plus an annual cost to empty of £90. 

Peel

Peel Commissioners has set its rate at 275 pence in the pound for the next financial year.

This is an extra three pence on last year when it was set at 272p and refuse rate will also be increased by £11 to £274 per household.

Chair Ray Harmer said the commissioners have taken a 'prudent' approach to increasing the rates and is 'conscious' about not putting too much burden on ratepayers.

Port Erin

Port Erin Commissioners has increased its rates for the next year by 4.94 percent.

It will now be 404 pence in the pound - equates to an increase of £22.04 per year (42p per week) for a standard 3-bedroom property in the village. 

Chair Hannah Mackenzie says the board's focus for the next financial year will be a 'back-to-basics approach' and ensuring that 'primary efforts' are committed to ratepayers as well as supporting visitors who sustain the local businesses.

Port St Mary

Port St Mary Commissioners has agreed a new rate at 456 pence in the pound.

That’s an increase of eight percent and will mean 85p more per week compared to 2025 for a standard three bed property in the port.

It says the village doesn't have the 'benefit' of large commercial premises to 'bolster' rate income like other areas and so is more reliant on domestic rates. 

Ramsey

Ramsey Commissioners has set its rate at 528 pence in the pound for the next financial year.

That’s a 3.5 percent increase which the local authority believes will provide enough funding to maintain the town at a 'base level'.

Lead member for finance Juan McGuinness said: “We are very conscious of the pressures households are under, and that was central to our discussions. We challenged spending, reviewed how we operate, and deferred a number of projects to keep the increase as low as possible.

“This rise is driven by inflation and the need to properly maintain what the town already has. It is about remaining a responsible authority while continuing to provide value for money to ratepayers.”

Santon

Santon Commissioners have announced its rate at 196 pence in the pound.

It's a 4.8 percent increase (nine pence) on last year's rate which was 187p.

The local authority says the total rate 'compares favourably' with neighbouring parishes.

German Commissioners has been contacted regarding their rates for this coming year.