Douglas Borough Council has set the 2022-23 rate at 468p, up from 451p the previous year.

Councillors agreed to the 17p rise at their public meeting held on Wednesday January 26.

Council Leader Councillor Mrs Claire Wells said that the rate had been set against a background of rapidly rising inflation and influences outside the Council’s control, notably rises in energy prices and Energy from Waste gate fees, an anticipated Public Service Commission pay award increase, and provision for loss of income in the event of this year’s TT and Festival of Motorcycling being cancelled.

Despite mounting pressures on its budgets, she said the Council was committed to delivering for the ratepayers of Douglas. By way of example, she cited a new £2.8million Eastern District Civic Amenity Site being developed in partnership with other Eastern District local authorities; a £250,000 investment in a new skate park in Noble’s Park planned for the coming financial year; £136,000 to improve attractions in Summerhill Glen; and a £165,000 programme of restoration works to the town’s garden squares.

Addressing Members Councillor Mrs Wells said the Council was at a point in its history ‘to transform challenge into opportunity’ adding: ‘The budget I present today is a sustainable budget for the town, its community and the future’.

For a typical three-bedroom house the new rate will be £543 per year, which equates to £10.44 per week (an increase of 38p per week from 2021-22).

To view the Leader of the Council’s budget speech click here.