Rates increased for Castletown residents

General rate rise of 6.56%

Castletown Commissioners have announced an increase in the town's rates.

After seven years of freezes, residents of the ancient capital will now have to pay higher rates from April.

The previous rate of 320p in the pound has been increased by 21 pence.

This includes a general rate rise of five per cent, plus an additional 5p to subsidise the purchase of the Old Fire Station from the Department of Home Affairs.

Chairman of the Commissioners Colin Leather says the general rise is in line with the Manx Consumer Price Index, which stood at 4.1 per cent in December.

He added membership of Castletown Library is now free of charge to all island residents.

Mr Leather also hopes increased revenue will help fund further developments in the town in future years, including what he calls 'long overdue investment in children's playparks'.