Foxdale man loses legal battle
A Foxdale man's been ordered to pay more than a hundred pounds to Treasury after a disagreement over rates.
Richard Wernham hadn't paid the 'Churchyard Rate' on the grounds he's not religious.
The refusal to settle the debt meant he was in violation of Section 50 of the Rating and Valuation Act.
Mr Wernham said the case was not about money - and that he'd happily pay the outstanding £21.80 towards something he uses or believes in.
He'd questioned why, as an atheist, he was being made to pay that particular rate, and was unsatisifed with the explanantion given to him.
Deemster Sharon Roberts ruled the rate was levied in accordance with the Burials Act and, had it been called a 'Burials Act Rate', it may not have inflamed Mr Wernham quite so much.
Mrs Roberts said it was therefore a mandatory payment.
Mr Wernham was ordered to pay the outstanding debt; a £100 legal fee and more than £30 costs - making a total sum of £152.20.
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