Braddan Parish Commissioners announce rate of 257p for 2023/2024

Braddan Parish Commissioners has announced that it’s local authority rate for the next financial year will be set at 257p – an increase of 11.7%.

The domestic refuse charge has also increased by £6.00 (7.3%) to £88.00.

Mr Jessopp, Chairman commented:

“Given the economic climate over the past 12 months and the inflationary pressures currently being experienced, this was one of the most difficult rate setting exercises in a decade. We considered all of the costs for the forthcoming financial year over several meetings and weighed all the options available to us.

In common with other local authorities, there are many external costs outside our control which have seen significant increases over the last 12 months, including borrowing, staffing and refuse disposal costs.

For example, the increase in the domestic refuse charge is as a direct result of increase in the EFW gate fee of 7.2%, imposed by central government.

Additionally, the cost of Braddan’s contribution to the purchase and construction of the new Eastern Civic Amenity Site, currently being built, equates to a 4p increase in the rate (£25k). However, this is a much needed facility which will benefit everyone in the east of the island.

The Commissioners also continue to invest for the future in their new leisure facility near Nobles Hospital, now christened the Roundhouse.

The exciting new development will provide much needed modern leisure and health facilities for all ages and is due to open later this year”.

Mr Jessopp added – “The Roundhouse represents the largest investment our authority has ever undertaken and we are looking forward to moving there in Autumn 2023. Despite this large financial commitment to the parish, careful planning has meant that the impact on the rates has been kept to a minimum.

The Board, in coming to its decision, acknowledged the current financial pressures on sections of the island’s population, but felt it would be imprudent to set a lower rate knowing that it would in all likelihood, result in a shortfall in income, thereby just carrying over any increase to the following year.

The Commissioners are committed to investing in the services and facilities for the benefit of our community and are satisfied that the decision they have made still represents excellent value when compared to the level of rates in other places”.

Information Facts:

1p on the rate equates to £5,614.91 in income.

The average domestic property in the parish has a rateable value of £149:

2022-23 £342.70 pa £6.59 pw

2023-24 £382.93 pa £7.36 pw

An increase of £40.23 or just 77p per week.

Braddan Commissioners issue and collect their own rates, they have minimal rate arrears – the current rate arrears stand at £1,114 and we are continuing to pursue the outstanding debtors.

Please see the link HERE for more information:-

Issued by Braddan Parish Commissioners on 31 January 2023.

Beach Buddies clean up Port Soderick Beach & Glen

Beach Buddies volunteers at Port Soderick beach and glen

Braddan Commissioners would like to say a huge thank you to Beach Buddies Isle of Man and their fantastic volunteers for another excellent effort on Sunday. In total they cleared away a bulk bag’s worth of rubbish from the beach and glen at Port Soderick.

Queen Elizabeth II, Lord of Mann

Statement from Andrew Jessopp, Chairman of Braddan Parish Commissioners:-

We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Lord of Mann. Her steadfast service and dedication to duty during the last 70 years is an inspiration to a great many people, not just on the Island but across the world.

On behalf of the Commissioners I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the King and the Royal Family on their sad loss.

Official Opening of Braddan Commissioners’ new apartments at Mullen Doway, Union Mills by Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer

 

Braddan Commissioners were delighted to welcome His Excellency Sir John Lorimer and Lady Philippa Lorimer to Union Mills on Wednesday 10 August to formally open the new apartments at Mullen Doway.

They were greeted by the Commissioners’ Chairman Mr Andrew Jessopp who introduced them to his fellow Board members, including past members who were involved at the earlier stages of the build. Also present were representatives from the contractors, Cedar Developments, Bell Burton Associates, Burroughs Stewart Associates and Mullen Consulting.

A presentation was made to the Lieutenant Governor and Lady Lorimer by Isla and Amelia Crookall, grand daughters of Peter Scott, a member of Braddan Commissioners. Also present was the Captain of the Parish, Philip Caley and his wife Margaret.

One of the Commissioners’ most long standing tenants, Mrs Sylvia Lyon, met with Sir John and Lady Philippa and kindly showed them around her new apartment.
Afternoon tea was served to all the guests, including tenants of the apartments. The Commissioners’ provided a bouncy castle, face painting and free ice creams from Davison’s Ice Cream for local children.

Braddan Commissioners ‘Goes Green’ for new complex

Recognising the need to reduce both energy costs and greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, an Island local authority is continuing to pioneer the inclusion of renewable energy.
Braddan Parish Commissioners has already outlined its commitment to net-zero and future generations in recent developments.
One such example was the recently completed Mullen Doway apartments in Union Mills which have been designed to be eco-friendly with significant insulation, heat recirculation and all electric heating. Now, the new Braddan Community Centre at the Strang, which is undergoing construction, will take solar PV to the next level and include a large 50kWp array, the largest on any Isle of Man Public building. That will provide green and clean energy for the community centre, due to open in spring 2023, and all those who use it.
The long-term investment will also have benefits both in the cost of solar power, compared to electricity, and environmentally with an estimated saving of 600,000kg of CO2 – the equivalent to planting 700 trees.
Commissioners’ Chairman Andrew Jessopp explained: “The decision by the Commissioners to include PV panels in the scheme continues to show the Board’s commitment to reducing the authority’s carbon footprint and to help set a good example to other government organisations”.
Following a tender process, Ballasalla-based Go Green has been chosen to install the array of solar panels.
Steven Elkins, Director of Go Green, stated: “Green energy transformation is a revolution and we commend Braddan Commissioners for their foresight into future-proofing new buildings and a commitment to improving our Manx environment”.