Braddan Commissioners says social housing roof works doubled in cost 

It was one of a number of issues discussed at its monthly public meeting

Braddan Commissioners says roof works to its Coronation and Jubilee Terrace social housing has nearly doubled in cost.

The local authority says its due to external insulation which if tampered with could ‘destabilise’ the internal structure of properties.

This was discussed at its public meeting, which also included an update on the street lighting scheme and the renewal of Union Mills Football Club’s lease.

The commissioners is re-roofing the social housing stock on Mount Rule to make them more energy efficient and ‘comfortable’.

Clerk Colin Whiteway said the additional work needed would cost £400,000, on top of the current £400,000 to do the initial work.

However, he confirmed the project is running ‘on schedule’ and one house is being refurbished every six weeks.

Mr Whiteway added that tenants will be ‘decanted’ so the extra building works can be carried out.

He also confirmed there are two leaky windows in Mullen Doway which are going to be investigated.

Also on the agenda was an update on the commissioners proposed street lighting scheme for the parish.

It will be replacing over 70 of its street lights to bring them up to modern standards.

These stretch across nine estates and also in the Isle of Man Business Park. 

The commissioners previously agreed that those in Cronkbourne Village will be replaced with ‘heritage’ style lamps.

Mr Whiteway said he had been in contact with Manx Utilities, and for the four in the area it would cost between three and four thousand pounds.

It was agreed by the board to put a heritage style ‘head’ on the lampposts in the village.

The commissioners were also provided with an update on the lease for Union Mills Football Club.

Mr Whiteway said he attended a meeting with the club, where they asked for a longer lease of 25 years to be able to apply for grants and ‘invest’ properly in the area.

Vice-Chair Andrew Jessopp said if the club was granted a longer lease they could ‘make more’ of the facilities if they had that security.

Mr Whiteway confirmed any lease over seven years must have government approval.

The board agreed to ask the government to approve a longer lease for the football club.

Braddan Commissioners will next meet on Thursday 20 November.