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.

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

Green Waste Collections – Braddan School

The first of our green waste collections for Braddan residents will be held this Saturday, 24 April 2021 at Braddan School.

Kinrade Bros. Haulage Ltd will park a refuse vehicle in the car park at the school from 11.30am to 1.30pm to collect green waste which will be taken away for composting.

You may be asked to provide proof of address, so please bring something with you.

We will accept:

  • Grass cuttings, hedge clippings, raw vegetable peelings etc
  • Please; no trees, branches or cooked food items
  • Please use the entrance and exit to the school car park to avoid congestion

The collections will continue every two weeks over the summer, with the final date being 28 August.

For more information please contact the Commissioners’ Office.

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.