As feared from the outset, businesses are to be hardest hit, and at last night’s rates meeting in St John business owners were told that their rates would be increasing by more than 50%.
St John is the first parish to hold its rates meeting this year – and the first to see the impact that the new ‘fairer’ system will have on the smaller parishes.
Home owners were informed that their rates bill would be rising by 12.5%, a figure which would have been more than 25% had the parish not decided to eat into some of its reserves to lessen the blow.
Other rural parishes, such as Trinity and St Mary, are likely to see similar increases.
However, the big three – St Helier, St Clement and St Saviour – are almost certain to see reduced rate bills this year.
