Why stand as a candidate for Braddan Commissioners?

Why stand as a candidate in Braddan?

· Braddan is no longer “just” a rural parish

· It is strategically sited just outside the island’s capital

· Many businesses have relocated their headquarters to Braddan in recent years

· Braddan is the centre of a recent expansion of retail, light industry and technology
companies, attracted by the additional space and close proximity to Douglas, all of
which provide jobs, hugely benefitting the economy of the island as a whole

· Your decisions will be seen by a large proportion of the island’s population

· In the recently completed Area Plan for the East, more areas of the parish have been
earmarked for housing and commercial development, thereby increasing the population
and business opportunities even further

Forthcoming events:-

Mullen Doway
Opening of the 30 new local authority apartments for social housing at Mullen Doway, Union Mills in September 2021.

Strang Corner Field
Scheduled Opening in January 2023 – the new £6.8m Community Centre at Strang Corner Field, will include:-
· Pharmacist
· Dentist
· Coffee shop
· Multi-use sports hall
· Event venue
· Gym
· Indoor soft play area
· Nursery
· Public playground
· Exercise track

You will have input into many aspects of the finished design and operation of the building.

Thinking of standing as a Commissioner in the forthcoming Local Elections on 22 July?

Basic qualifications to be a Commissioner

· There are no qualifications required to be a Commissioner but we would like Commissioners to bring with them enthusiasm, their own unique perspective and knowledge and an interest in the community, whilst being aware of the bigger political picture.

· Being a Commissioner, although not a full time position, does still require a commitment to give your time freely to deal with the business of the authority, by preparing for and attending regular meetings, and to engage with the local community.

· All ages and backgrounds are welcome

· You do not have to live in Braddan to be a candidate, but to be eligible to stand for election you must be on an electoral register for a voting district on the island.

Remember, your nominator, seconder and assenters must be on the voters list for the area you are nominated in.

Thinking of standing as a Commissioner in the forthcoming Local Elections on 22 July?

What could you gain from becoming a Commissioner?

We asked our existing Board members how they have found the role of Commissioner over the last 5 years:

“Being a Commissioner is a bit like doing Jury duty, with an unusual mixture of people trying to come together in agreement, as representatives of society”.

“I found it rewarding and stimulating. Enjoying my time spent and the debates and activities involved. I have learnt considerably about areas of the Island and Manx concerns. Overall, I found the whole experience both Cathartic and inspiring”.

“I did not have a clear understanding of the scope of activity that involved Commissioners and was pleased by the variety”.

“It’s not boring. You get to meet interesting people and see what they are doing to develop the Island.”

“Being a Commissioner can make a difference to your local area and the services you receive by your involvement in the decisions made by the Board.”

Local Elections – 22 July 2021

The next Local Authority General Election will be held on Thursday, July 22nd 2021.

Prior to this, on 15 June 2021 the Department of Infrastructure will publish a notice of election, which will highlight the number of Commissioners (FIVE in Braddan) and will also set out the deadline dates people need to be aware of if intending to submit an absent vote.
Whether you are interested in standing as local authority member or wish to vote at the local authority general elections, the starting point is being on the register of electors.
The final date to register to vote is Friday 18 June 2021.
In Braddan, we need to elect FIVE people to fill the vacant seats on the Board of Commissioners this July. All candidates will serve for four years, until the next elections in 2025.
Nominations for the 5 seats on Braddan Parish Commissioners will close at 5pm on Tuesday 29th June 2021.
If you are interested in standing as a candidate in Braddan, please contact the Clerk, Colin Whiteway on 852808 or by email: colin@braddan.im

Alternatively, you may contact any of the existing Commissioners to talk about their experiences of being a board member. Contact details for all the current Commissioners can be found on our website: https://www.braddan.im/commissioners

RECYCLING COLLECTION RESUMING – 22 APRIL 2021

Good news! We can now confirm that the recycling collection will resume from next week on Thursday 22 April.

To assist with the ease of collection can you please place your glass bottles in one container, mixed tin cans & plastic in another and lastly any paper and cardboard in a third.

We are anticipating significant quantities of material set out for collection, so would ask for your continued patience if your collection is delayed, please be assured that our contractor do their best to to catch up as quickly as possible.

 

Your new recycling calendar will be sent out next week with your rates bill so you will also have all the current details about what you can and can’t recycle etc.
If you need any more recycling boxes, please contact the Commissioners’ Office to arrange to collection.

Important Note: If any member of a household has tested positive, is symptomatic or awaiting test results, we kindly ask that you do not put your recycling boxes out for collection.

Recycling Suspended – Lockdown 3

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Recycling Collections Suspended due to lockdown
Just a reminder to all Braddan residents that recycling collections are currently suspended due to the current lockdown, so there will not be a collection tomorrow.
– The recycling bring banks are still open, so if you are able to, please use them.
– If not, please consider storing your recycling until the kerbside collections resume, particularly the non burnable items such as glass/tins/cans/foil etc.
– Your new recycling calendar for 2021/2022 will be issued with your rates bill at the beginning of April.

REFUSE COLLECTION – SELF ISOLATING OR SUSPECTED INFECTION

SELF ISOLATING OR SUSPECTED INFECTION

If you believe you, or a member of your household have Covid 19, please take note of the following steps to protect our refuse contractors.

Cleaning and disposal of waste:

  • Use your usual household products, such as detergents and bleach, as these will be very effective at getting rid of the virus on surfaces.
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces. Personal waste (such as used tissues) and disposable cleaning cloths can be stored securely within disposable rubbish bags.
  • These bags should be placed into a second bag, tied securely and kept separate from other waste in the room in which you are self-isolating.
  • Keep all bagged waste aside for at least 72 hours before putting into your usual external household waste bin.
  • All waste must be bagged and inside the bin. No side waste will be collected throughout this crisis.

The most up to date and accurate health guidance on Covid-19 is available on the Government’s website:-

https://covid19.gov.im/

COVID UPDATE – BRADDAN PARISH COMMISSIONERS

COVID UPDATE – BRADDAN PARISH COMMISSIONERS

Following the announcement from the Chief Minister today, Braddan Commissioners would like to update residents on how they are going to manage the situation with regard to services:-

  • The fortnightly recycling collection has been suspended with immediate effect. We will advise residents when it recommences.
  • Domestic and Commercial Refuse collections will continue as normal but please ensure that your wheelie bin handles are cleaned prior to and after collection. Side waste will not be collected. Assisted collections will continue as normal.
  • All play areas will be closed with immediate effect.
  • The Commissioners’ Office Public counter has been closed with immediate effect. We have written out to all tenants directly affected by this today with alternative arrangements for rent payments.
  • The staff are working remotely and can be contacted by phone on 852808 or via email at braddan@braddan.im
  • Routine and non-urgent Public Sector Housing repairs are suspended with immediate effect. Only repairs assessed to be an emergency will be undertaken in line with our strict Covid working arrangements. If you require a repair, please continue to contact the Commissioners’ Office, please do not contact the contractor directly.
  • The Memorial Hall in Union Mills is no longer available to hire for the time being. We will contact anyone with a booking to arrange a refund.
  • Please ensure that 2m social distancing is always observed.

The most up to date and accurate health guidance on Covid-19 is available on the Government’s website:-

https://covid19.gov.im/

LOCAL ELECTIONS 22 APRIL 2021

LOCAL ELECTIONS 22 APRIL 2021

  • Do you have lots of ideas about how to improve your community?
  • Do you have the time to make a difference?
  • Do you enjoy debating important issues?

By serving as a Braddan Commissioner you can make your voice heard and influence decisions that will help shape the future of Braddan

THE ELECTION PROCESS

Local Authority Elections will take place on Thursday 22 April 2021 and there are 5 vacant seats available on the Board of Braddan Commissioners.

To stand as a local authority member, you must appear on the Register of Electors as of 1st January 2021 — you do not have to be registered in the Constituency for which you are standing. To check you are registered, visit www.gov.im/registertovote  or call the Crown and Elections Unit on 685754.

The term of office is 4 years.

Nomination forms and information packs will be available in March 2021 for collection from Braddan Commissioners’ Office.

If you are over 18 and interested in standing, to find out more, you can:-

  • Attend Commissioners’ Meetings – generally held every two weeks.
  • Read the Agendas and minutes which are available at:- facebookfacebook.com/braddancommissioners and our website — www.braddan.im
  • Speak to one of our existing Commissioners to find out more about the role
  • Contact the Clerk to the Commissioners, Colin Whiteway on 852808 or colin@braddan.im

 COMMISSIONERS’ MEETINGS

Elected members are required to attend regular Commissioners’ Meetings together with other meetings from time to time.

Board meetings may be held during working hours and rarely last longer than 4 hours. An attendance allowance can be claimed as follows:-

  • Daytime rate — £12.50 per hour (to a maximum of £50 per session
  • Evening rate – £7.50 per hour (to a maximum of £30 per session
  • The maximum allowance payable to a member per annum is £6,000
  • Travel allowance may also be claimed if agreed by the authority

 WHAT WE DO AS A LOCAL AUTHORITY

 Refuse & recycling collection

  • Street-lighting
  • Housing
  • Car-parking
  • Street Cleaning
  • Gully emptying
  • Public conveniences
  • Public information and advice
  • Environmental health
  • Parks, playgrounds and other leisure facilities
  • Control of dogs
  • Hedge maintenance
  • Weed spraying
  • Street-cleaning
  • Planning
  • Abandoned vehicles
  • Byelaw enforcement

All these activities are funded from the rates which are fixed by the Board of Commissioners each year.

ISSUES WE’RE CURRENTLY DEALING WITH INCLUDE:-

  • Strang Corner Field Community Development
  • Allocation of tenants into new 30 unit housing development at Mullen Doway
  • Declaration of a Climate Change Emergency
  • Construction of public toilets in Cronk Grianagh Park
  • Recycling campaign