Douglas Council has set its rate for the 2026-27 financial year at 620 pence in the pound, an increase of 18p, or 2.99%.
At the annual rate setting meeting, Council Leader Councillor Devon Watson said the authority remained committed to delivering essential services despite financial pressures. He outlined a budget focused on major capital projects.
“At its heart, this budget is about investing where it matters most: in the everyday places and services that shape our quality of life,” he said.
“Our job is to ensure that our city has the resilience it needs to adapt and thrive in a changing world. Our job is to care. Our job is to invest.”
He detailed planned spending including over £1 million for play areas, £2.5 million for Promenade infrastructure and a £14.1 million capital investment in public sector housing.
He also highlighted a £0.5m programme to upgrade public lighting and further investment in the city’s CCTV network.
“Douglas has many things that make it special and one of our core objectives is to preserve and maintain its status as one of the safest capital cities in the world,” he added.
On environmental services, Councillor Watson noted recycling rates had reached 28 per cent, a five-fold increase since 2022.
Investment
He also addressed modernisation works at Douglas Crematorium, describing it as critical national infrastructure. “Improving this service is deeply important to ensure that people and their loved ones have a seamless and dignified service,” he said.
The Leader concluded by calling for urgent rates reform from the island’s Treasury to address dilapidated properties.
“There are plenty of buildings in our city centre that could be homes, businesses or community facilities but are left to decay instead because no one’s had to pay rates on them. That’s not fair on the rest of our ratepayers and it’s not good for Douglas.”