Rates frozen in Port St Mary

There'll be no rates rise for residents of Port St Mary this year.

Commissioners voted yesterday to hold the rate charge at 306p in the pound for the next financial year.

Chairman Bernadette McCabe says prudent budgeting by the board means they can avoid an increase, despite spending on high-profile projects in the current year such as the Mona's Queen anchor memorial at Kallow Point and re-opening the town hall.

Mrs McCabe has warned the 2013-14 budget will be squeezed in some areas to allow for increased waste disposal charges handed to them from central government and other inflationary rises out of their control.

The board says it will invest in a number of schemes around the village during 2013-14, but hasn't said what they are.