Local Authorities around the Island are being urged to follow the lead of Castletown Commissioners and streamline their operations by reducing the number of elected members on their Boards.
 
It follows the historic decision by Castletown Commissioners at a recent meeting to reduce its membership from nine to seven.
 
Richard Ronan MHK, Department of Infrastructure Member with responsibility for Local Government, welcomed the move.
 
‘The Department would encourage other Local Authorities, especially larger authorities with higher elected member numbers to consider a similar course of action,’ said Mr Ronan. ‘In recent years the Department has been urging Local Authorities to look at the number of elected members, and look to reduce them where it can be demonstrated that benefits would arrive from streamlining representation. Of course, the number of residents per Local Authority district, along with other factors, will have to be factored into the equation.“
 
Following a motion brought by Commissioner Kevin Weir, Castletown Commissioners stated their intention to reduce the number of Members in time for the next election in 2016.
 
Mr Ronan said: ‘The decision to reduce their numbers is a significant and indeed historic one. From personal experience I recognise both the work that the Commissioners do and the need for this streamlining. I would like to thank Mr Weir for bringing the motion, and the Members for voting for the change.’
 
Castletown Commissioners will now work with the Department to bring about the reduction. First, however, the proposal will be subject to a public inquiry to allow the public to have their say and, following the Chairman of that Inquiry’s report, Tynwald will vote on the proposals.