Port Erin rates are going up by 4.1 per cent from April 1.

The rise, which takes the rate to 250 pence in the pound, is in line with inflation and includes provision for a number of capital schemes in the village, including street lighting improvements and refurbishment works at the Cosy Nook cafe.

However, while long-serving commissioner Phil Crellin congratulated the board for keeping the rate down, he reluctantly voted against the rise.

James Davis has the story (text, below, from attached audio file):

Mr Crellin said the decision to agree the sale of the Braddan Glen restaurant, as well as the Bradda headland, Milner's Tower and Bradda Glen itself, to the Department of Agriculture, for a nominal fee of ?1, was, effectively, asset-stripping.

The agreement is subject to a Council of Ministers business study.

The local authority had planned to sell the restaurant, because it was deemed financially untenable, and at one point had an offer on the table of ?360,000.

However, its plans were delayed when a village resident petitioned Tynwald, claiming ratepayers hadn’t been consulted and wanting to ensure the facility was secured for the nation rather than transferring into private ownership.

At this week’s board meeting, Mr Crellin said had attempts been made to negotiate with the Minister for the local authority to receive some payment, the board could have been announcing some major steps forward in investment in the village.

(Picture: A view of Port Erin, from manxscenes.com).