DoI 'negotiated' financial contributions with NCAS members for new structure

Facility will be taken over by government and operated by Ramsey Town Commissioners

The chair of Ramsey Commissioners says he’s 'extremely grateful' to the entire northern community for 'seeing the value' of the Northern Civic Amenity Site.

The Department of Infrastructure is taking over the facility from the NCAS Committee and - subject to final contract – it will be operated by Ramsey Town Commissioners from 1 April.

It had been due to close at the end of this month after a long running dispute over funding between the board and Bride Commissioners which pulled out last year.

Rob Cowell says his focus for the last few months has been 'securing' the site and jobs for staff:

Once the site is operating in its new format the opening of the reuse shed will be discussed. 

The DoI Minister, and Clerk of Ramsey Town Commissioners Derek Flint, have confirmed Bride residents will be able to use the site as Bride will be contributing to it. 

You can find out more HERE.

In response to Mr Cowell's comments Ramsey MHK Alex Allinson said: "The dispute between the NCAS Board and Bride Commissioners has been well documented.

"Lawrie and I were invited to a meeting on 13 November along with all the northern MHKs and there was an obvious impasse between the two parties.

"We have remained in contact with a number of commissioners before and since this meeting and have obviously also been speaking to constituents about this problem.

"Lawrie has bought amendments to the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2023 to enable the DoI to specify statutory duties for local authorities which could include the provision for amenity sites but this is still going through the branches.

"Treasury has looked again at the rateable value with respect to quarries and will be proposing legislative changes but again this involved primary legislation and so will take time.

"I am sorry that Mr Cowell feels that the progress of these legislative changes has been too slow but it was the NCAS' decision to hand back the contract for running the Northern Amenity Site which has caused government to have to now step in to ensure its continued operation for the people in the north."

Fellow Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper said: "Ultimately this was a local authority issue that they would ideally have been able to resolve themselves without requiring central government or Tynwald involvement.  

"The decision to close the site rather than passing the costs resulting from the loss of Bride across the rest of the northern authorities was a political decision made by local commissioners and I think they should accept responsibility for the decisions they’ve made.

"This decision was not a decision that I as an MHK had any say over.

"What I did have a say over however is the legislative side of things and the eventual decision of the DoI to step in and run the site in the short to medium term.

"From my perspective when we met with the northern authorities last year I told them in no uncertain terms that if they didn’t resolve the issue themselves I would move to legislate as that was really the only option left available to me.

"Primary legislation does take time but the bill still went through the House of Keys in January which is a pretty good turnaround moving from a standing start on this amendment in November.

"I accept it’s not the ideal solution but it shows that with some determination things can get done."

Ayre and Michael MHK Alfred Cannan says: "I have not heard Mr Cowell's comments but I have regularly spoken with local commissioners and constituents regarding this matter and indeed attended a meeting with all the Commissioners and northern MHKs in November.

"It was always my hope that this matter would be resolved by the Civic Amenity Board and Bride Commissioners.  I am pleased that the DOI have been able to find a solution to maintain the site and this matter has been regularly discussed within the Council of Ministers."

Fellow Ayre and Michael MHK Tim Johnston, and Bride Commissioners, have also been invited to respond.