Good news for Rushen ratepayers - their rates are staying unchanged for the fifth year in a row.

Rushen Commissioners have confirmed the rate will be kept at 67 pence in the pound.

Central government’s plans to increase waste disposal charges has led to the board increasing the annual refuse collection charge to ?10 but that is being subsidised by using some of the reserves.

A massive increase in audit fees, from ?400 to ?3,000, is also being partly covered by reserves, while the cost of water has increased significantly.

However, Rushen’s rate will remain the same – largely due to what’s being described by the local authority as careful management of the ratepayers money and prudent spending, whilst maintaining a good level of service.