We Share Rates Frustration

The chairman of Braddan Commissioners says the board shares the frustrations of residents about their 36.5% increase in rates.

Braddan’s rate increase was the largest on the island, but it remains below its neighbours such as Douglas and Onchan.

When the authority announced the increase it said was had to ‘make provision to recover some of the deficit caused in the current financial year due to the very unfortunate delay in the completion of The Roundhouse’.

It also was hit by the same inflationary pressures as other local authorities and took on more staff as it looks to move contracts in house.

Andrew Jessopp said: ‘Well, we’re all annoyed and it’s understandable that people who are already facing increases in their charges that are now also looking at an increase in their rates.

‘Fortunately, as I’ve pointed out the increase, although it sounds a lot only for the average rate, domestic rate payer, I think adds about one pound 50 a week to their rates bill. I’m not trying to dismiss that, as you know, as trivial insignificant, I appreciate it is an increase that is unwelcome. ‘

Despite the negative backlash that the increase has been met with, with some residents taking to Facebook to question the decision to build the near £10m Roundhouse in the first place, Mr Jessopp says it will become a good community facility int he years to come.

He said: ‘We feel that once we’ve overcome our difficulties that we will have a facility that people in the future will say, you know, it was what we always envisaged the facility would be like, and and it’s been a great benefit to the parish and the island in general, in the years to come.’

Despite the negativity and issues with the Roundhouse, the board can point to a sports hall that is almost fully booked throughout the week and businesses ready to taken on leases once issues with the gov are solved around access.

Mr Jessopp said: ‘I’m sure it will get forgotten in years to come, as I say if it’s anything to go by in terms of the interests, I think we’re going to be managing problems of its success rather than problems that we’ve had using at the moment.

‘I think, you know, it is a temporary blip but obviously it is a difficult one.’