At a meeting on 28 January 2021, Braddan Commissioners agreed to set their rate for 2021/2022 at 224p in the pound.
2021 will be a notable year for Braddan with major investment in new schemes either commencing or coming to fruition whilst still maintaining, unchanged, all their other services, such as kerbside recycling, waste collection, street sweeping, hedge cutting and byelaw enforcement.
2021 will see the opening of their impressive new 30 unit housing block at Union Mills, and also the commencement, in April, of their £6.5m community centre at Strang Corner Field.
In addition, the board were also able to budget for further investment in the very popular Cronk Grianagh Park with the provision of a new toilet block and covered seating area. This will not just be of benefit to users of the recently refurbished playground and skatepark but also users of the Heritage Trail as it is the only facility between Douglas and Marown.
Their other major project for 2021/22 will be the total refurbishment of their much used playgrounds at Clybane and Snugborough.
The Commissioners’ Chairman, Andrew Jessopp stated:-
“Thanks to careful management, the board have been able to lower the rates gradually from their height of 230p in 2008/9 but, after many years in the planning, we now feel the time is right to invest in exciting, new facilities for the residents and ratepayers of Braddan.
Obviously the Board are always reluctant to increase the rates, even more so in light of the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic, however, we feel that the new facilities, including Strang Cornerfield, will be of huge benefit to the community; and are facilities that are currently lacking at present.
He added; “We believe the provision of a £6.5million community centre will represent excellent value for money for our ratepayers and will provide much needed extra facilities . It will include a multi-use sports hall and event venue, gym and yoga studio, chemist, dentist, coffee shop, nursery, children’s indoor soft play area, an outside playground and an extensive green area which incorporates an exercise track.
It will become a “centre” for Braddan and we are excited about the opportunities it will provide to expand our services to Braddan ratepayers.”
Braddan Parish Commissioners and the Family Library
L-R – John Quaye (BC), Sally Hardman (Family Library), Neal Mellon (BC), Kerry-Ann Mitchell and Graeme Jolly (both from the Family Library)
Braddan Parish Commissioners have made a generous contribution to the Family Library for its services to the children and the elderly of the Parish. These funds will be directed towards Large Print books for the Mobile Library, children’s Audiobooks for the Family Library, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) books for the Schools Service. Each item will be identified by a label “A contribution from Braddan Parish Commissioners 2020”.
Large Print books are essential for borrowers who struggle with ordinary print; audiobooks can be shared with the family both at home and in the car; resources for the Schools Service, which visits almost every Island school, are always in great demand by teachers.
John Quaye and Neal Mellon who presented the cheque on behalf of Braddan Commissioners were extremely impressed with the facilities provided on the Mobile Library. They were delighted to hear that the Team had kept in contact with their vulnerable service users during the lockdown by handwritten correspondence. The Mobile Library visits Braddan fortnightly and the Commissioners would encourage residents to use the services provided. Details of times and locations of the Mobile Library visits can be found on their website: https://www.familylibrary.im/
Based on Westmoreland Road, Douglas, there are five available services: Family Library, Schools Service, Mobile Library, Home Library Service for those unable to access other libraries, and the Bibliotherapy service for group sessions aimed at alleviating loneliness.
Residents who would like more information about our services should call 640650 or email sally@familylibrary.im
The latest audited accounts for the year ending 31 March 2020 are now available to view by following the link below:-
A reminder to all households in Braddan and in particular those returning to the Island, if you have tested positive, are awaiting test results or are experiencing COVID19 symptoms, all personal waste must be double bagged, and you should wait 48 hours before placing the bag in your refuse bin.
Those returning to the island who have not been tested, but are in the 2 week self-isolation period should follow the guidance above, until the period of self-isolation has elapsed.
With regard to the Kerbside Recycling Service, if a household is subject to any of the above mentioned criteria, we ask that you don’t set out your recycling boxes until the period of self-isolation has elapsed.
Thank you for cooperation,
Braddan Parish Commissioners
