Treasury Minister Dr Alex Allinson has confirmed modernising the island’s rates system is not a priority for this government.
Dr Allinson was asked about rates and local authority reform by Claire Christian (Douglas South), following a Tynwald motion in 2019.
The previous administration, largely led by Chris Thomas (Douglas Central) had sought to modernise the rates system, which even went as far as a plane flying over the island to take photos of properties.
The current system dates back to the 1960s, with properties assessed on their rental value.
However, plans have stalled and Dr Allinson said reform wasn’t part of the government’s priorities when the Cannan administration was formed in 2021.
He said: “Wholesale reform of the current Rates system and consideration of local authority structures was not determined as a key priority within this plan and is therefore not being pursued at present.
“Nonetheless, work streams looking at changes to help address issues associated with empty/problem properties continue, and an update report related to this was laid before July Tynwald.”
7 Comments