any ideas what to do larry? over/under watering?

It looks to me (from the bottom picture) that there is some kind of deficiency. I have no idea what kind it could be, but I have a couple links you could look at:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st439

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep273

Those top pictures look kind of like a fungus or a sooty mold. Does it rub off?

thank you very much for your feedback.the palms are planted in verve multipurpose compost,which is supposed to be good for potting plants and containers which i bought at Band Q. as well as ordering a 3 in 1 fungus mite and insect spray ive bought some westland growmore garden fertiliser which is high in nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. plus some maxicrop original seaweed extract.

Could all four plants need a different compost mixture?

Anything else people could recommend i do?Sorry,no, it dos'nt rub off.

A different soil mix could help, but I don't think that is the main problem.. At this point, I think we should just wait and see if anyone else has ideas..

I do see evidence of some pest damage, but is it also possible that you received plants with some degree of cold damage from the previous Winter?

Assume you are somewhere in Britain, my Winter zone is a lot colder than yours, I too had leaves that I thought were damaged by chewing insects but now have decided was Winter cold damage. If it is, it should grow out of the damaged growth into more normal growth given Summer heat (here I have the advantage as my Summers are quite HOT and long). Insecticidal soap would be helpful for the possible insect damage (which may have followed the cold issues). Good luck!

thank you guys very much,great advice and will take it all on board.Will report back in a month to see if it improves