News

Public sector rents in the Isle of Man are set to rise by 2%, with effect from 1 April 2022

Public sector rents in the Isle of Man are set to rise by 2%, with effect from 1 April 2022.

The revised charges have been announced by the Department of Infrastructure following consultation with the Island’s 15 local housing authorities.

The rise has been carefully considered in light of ongoing economic pressure from the coronavirus pandemic and the rising cost of building and maintenance materials. The impacts of both factors continue to be felt and are affecting routine repairs and redevelopment projects.

Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall MHK said:

‘The rising cost of maintenance is a concern for the local authorities and the Department as a whole, especially the housing team. The cost of materials for use in both general repairs and redevelopment projects continues to increase and provision must be made to accommodate this trend.’

Tenants who have their rental costs met by the Government as part of their income-assessed Social Security benefits will not be affected by the change.

Public sector tenants are reminded that help is available should they find themselves struggling to meet their financial obligations. In the first instance, they should contact their housing provider who may be able to assist them with a repayment plan.

Housing customers could also consider contacting the Social Security Division within the Treasury, where staff can provide advice regarding any financial assistance for which they may be eligible.

 

30th November 2021 in News

New Community Centre – Notice to Prospective Tenants

Braddan Parish Commissioners are seeking Expressions of Interest from persons wishing to enter into Heads of Agreement for the leasing of units at their family leisure development at Strang Corner Field which is due to be completed in January 2023.

The property includes a full size sports hall, suitable for sports such as five-a-side, badminton, netball and basketball and will be managed by the Commissioners.

The Units available lend themselves to a number of businesses but discussions could be held with those not on the list but meet their intended purpose of family centred or health related.

These areas would suit:

  • Coffee shop/eating establishment (for 100 covers)
  • Pharmacy
  • Soft play area
  • Gym and/or exercise studio
  • Optician and/or Therapy Suite
  • Dental Practice
  • Children’s nursery (up to 40 children)

There is sufficient time to discuss the internal layouts to meet the needs of the prospective tenants.

Detailed information about each of the units can be obtained from the Commissioners’ Office.

Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 5pm on Friday 15th October 2021.

Contact:
J C Whiteway MBA
Braddan Parish Commissioners
Close Corran
Union Mills
Braddan
IM4 4LZ

Phone: 852808

Email: colin@braddan.im
13th September 2021 in Community, News

Braddan Commissioners – new Board Members

L-R – Andy Morgan, Peter Scott, John Quaye, Andrew Jessopp & Neal Mellon

Braddan Commissioners held their Annual General Meeting on Thursday 5 August and are pleased to announce that Mr Andrew Jessopp was re elected as Chairman for the next Municipal year.

Mr Jessopp has served as Chairman to the Commissioners since May 2013.

Mr John Quaye was elected as Vice Chairman, taking over duties from the previous Vice Chairman, Miss Christina Corkill who has stood down.

Taking over the Chair, Mr Jessopp welcomed the two new Commissioners to the Authority, Mr Andrew Morgan and Mr Peter Scott.

The Chairman stated that the past year had been challenging, but:

“Despite the upheavals I reckon that in many ways the last year and half have been the most rewarding period of my time as a Braddan Commissioner, not least because everyone pulled together and worked damned hard to keep the show on the road for all our ongoing and planned projects. I think the previous board and their staff can justifiably be proud of their achievements during this difficult period.

So what have been a few of the highs during this period?

Well, without doubt top of the list has to be the commencement of the Strang Corner Field development which has been a long awaited day for me. There is still a mammoth amount of work to complete before it will be ready to welcome visitors, but it will surely be worth the wait.”

16th August 2021 in News

What could I expect as a Braddan Commissioner?

Successful candidates will have input into decisions that will affect the parish for many years to come. If elected as a Braddan Commissioner you will:
 
· Experience a wide variety of local issues
 
· Have direct influence on national issues, such as the All Island Strategic Plan, Local
Authority Reform, Rating Reform, the potential construction of a new Eastern Civic
Amenity Site in Braddan and numerous other consultations and planning issues that
arise
 
· Meet a great many people; residents, business people and both local and national
politicians
 
· Have input into new capital schemes in the Parish
 
· Influence what the parish represents – especially in regard to environmental issues
given the declared Climate Emergency. For example; what could the authority do to
further reduce its carbon footprint? Are their more efficient and effective ways of
reducing the waste produced in Braddan and methods the authority could introduce to
encourage greater participation in the collection and reuse of recyclable materials.
 
· Consider changing from a weekly to a fortnightly refuse collection
 
· Setting the rate by deciding on the expenditure of Braddan Commissioners
 
· Consider the provision of facilities for younger people – such as additional investment
in new and existing facilities: e.g. skate park, BMX track, playgrounds etc
 
· As we have an ageing population, what facilities and services could be needed in the
future to cater for their needs
 
· Plan for future local authority housing and ongoing maintenance and upgrading of the
existing housing stock
 
These are just some of the issues which you may be asked to consider during your term of office, but as the current Commissioners have discovered, unexpected issues may arise which could require a whole new way of doing things.
 
How you react to this type of situation could become the defining point of your time as a representative of your community.
 
Don’t forget, nominations for the 5 seats on Braddan Parish Commissioners will close at 5pm on Tuesday 29th June 2021.
11th June 2021 in Community, News

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.

11th June 2021 in Community, News

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.

11th June 2021 in Community, News