The government is proposing that local authorities take on more responsibilities, such as hedge cutting and minor pavement repairs.
But taking on such work would mean extra costs to the ratepayer.
So ministers are suggesting that any increase in costs to ratepayers from the transfer of services could be offset by freezing the {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/projected-rates-increase-as-waste-disposal-subsidy-ends-1-5252297|proposed rise in waste disposal costs} for local authorities.
According to a press statement from the government this would ensure a ‘minimal impact’ on rates for 2015/16.
Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK has written to local authorities with the suggestion.
The government says this is ‘a fact-finding initiative’ to determine if local authorities would be willing to take on additional responsibility for functions currently provided by central government.
In a press statement, it says the aim is to share views and information and to consider the future of service provision ‘in an open and transparent way’.
The letter follows a series of meetings with local authorities attended by Mr Gawne, Chris Robertshaw MHK, Minister for Policy and Reform, and Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture.
The ministers are continuing to explore the options for giving local authorities the power to make decisions on services they believe could be better delivered at a local level.
Mr Gawne said: ‘Local services for local people delivered at a local level is something I feel passionately about.
‘I hope that most, if not all, local authorities will welcome this opportunity to discuss the delivery of more services in the community. The pressure for some kind of reform is becoming overwhelming and this is a genuine attempt to start an honest and objective dialogue.’
He added: ‘At this stage, I am calling for local authorities to take part in an informal gathering of views. No decisions have been taken.’
In relation to the Department of Infrastructure, Minister Gawne is inviting preliminary discussion on the possible transfer of services, including:
Hedge cutting
Street sweeping
Gully emptying
Public toilet provision
Minor local road safety matters
Minor pavement repairs
Weed spraying, verge trimming and tidying
Off-street parking.
The department would retain responsibility for these services on strategic routes around the Isle of Man.
In all other areas it is proposed that these functions could be undertaken by the local authority.
Mr Gawne said: ‘As I have stated, this is the start of a conversation with local authorities on the possibility of transferring appropriate functions from central to local government. If we get this right it could be a defining moment in the development of a stronger system of local government for the Manx people.’
Ramsey Commissioners discussed the letter at last night’s (Wednesday’s) meeting. There will be a report on that in Tuesday’s Isle of Man Examiner.
What do you think?
If more work were moved to our 24 local authorities, would that mean we’d get a better service because they’re closer to local people?
Or would it be more efficient to have the same people doing the same work with the same equipment island-wide?