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New look government signals a "new beginning" says Chief Minister

by isleofman.com 20th October 2011

THE Isle of Man's new look government is a "new beginning" for the Isle of Man according to the Island's Chief Minister.

 

Allan Bell MHK has said from now on everything that government does must be "under the spotlight" in an effort to move forward.

 

On Tuesday the new Council of Ministers attended their first sitting of Tynwald after being announced as government ministers last Friday.

 

Mr Bell said: "I really want this to be a new beginning for the Isle of Man and for the Council of Ministers and the government of the Isle of Man.

 

"We need to look at every aspect of service delivery and the way we do things generally across government. Everything has to be under the spotlight – not just financially but also structurally and how we go about things.

 

"I want this to be a period of questioning, of probing, of trying to find new ways of doing things."

 

Mr Bell added that "radical thinking" was needed within government.

 

He explained: "We will lose the best part of a third of our income in a couple of years time - we have to have some radical new thinking brought into government to enable us to assess what alternative options might be available for the service delivery further down the road."

 

The two central priorities of the government will be rebalancing the government finances which Mr Bell called "a massive challenge" and stimulating more economic activity within the Island which he called an "absolute priority".

 

Mr Bell continued: "It's only through growing the economy that we will be able to generate the revenues we need to replace the VAT money that we have lost and also to create the jobs that we need badly to keep our people in employment.

 

"What I see at this stage, and it's very early days, is an economic strategy group right at the centre of things which will be chaired by myself, with the Minister for Treasury and the Minister for Economic Development, to drive through economic developments and expansions. That will be the central co-ordinating committee and that will be the engine room driving that aspect of government policy."

 

Maintaining relationships between the business community and the government is another priority for the new Council of Ministers and Mr Bell said he believes there is already a "fund of good will" within the community.

 

He concluded: "I am a great believer in the close working relationship between government and the business community.

 

"I think if this council can hold together and continue working as a united government that will build the confidence we need in the community and will lead to continued cooperation between the business community and government."

 

 

Also see: Council of Ministers reflects "a government of all talents"

                  Government ministers speak about the challenge ahead

 

What do you think? Let us know by leaving a comment below:

Posted by isleofman.com
Thursday 20th, October 2011 03:02pm.

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