Onchan Commissioners increasing charges for additional bins

Local authority discussed issue at its public meeting

Onchan Commissioners is increasing charges across its refuse service for domestic and commercial customers in the next financial year.

It was debated at its public meeting last night, where it was agreed that some services were running at a loss and money needed to be ‘recuperated’.

The commissioners were told the ‘additional bin’ service is used by roughly 60 households in the village and is optional.

For an additional 120 litre bin residents will be charged £72, which is a £12 increase on the previous two years.

Those with an additional 240 or 360 litre bin will be charged £144 and £216 respectively.

It was confirmed by Clerk Ross Philips that these charges include the provision of the bin as well as the collection, disposal and administration of the service.

Commissioner Robin Turton said the increased charge would be too much for some residents and should be reduced.

Vice-Chair Scott Wilson said for families of five or six, an extra bin might be a ‘necessity’.

However, Commissioner Gabriella Corkish said if people felt the cost was too much, they could cancel the service and use the civic amenity site instead.

The board also agreed to increases to the commercial refuse collection service – these are rising by 20 percent.

Businesses using the 240 litre bins will be charged £176.40 per annum for each bin, whilst those with 360, 660 or 1,100 litre bins will see their fees go up to £264, £396 and £528 respectively.

There will be no increased fees for letters of comfort, replacement documents relating to building control or property search fees.

Also on the agenda was a discussion about the incident at The Hub in December which was made public by the police on social media.

Chair Anthony Allen said the booking was made as a Christmas party, and the staff flagged it and sent the terms and conditions which included a no alcohol rule.

He added that staff received ‘assurances’ from the individual that these would be adhered to.

The clerk said there were call out charges for the cleaning contractor due to it being out of hours as well as for staff.

Mr Allen said ‘every effort’ is being made to have the money paid back - and that staff did all they could and followed procedures ‘to the letter’.

He confirmed the individual will not be allowed to make any future bookings and the local authority didn’t say anything publicly immediately to allow the police to make enquiries.

Onchan Commissioners will next meet on Monday 19 January.