Peel Commissioners to write to government requesting TT schedule change

It was one of the main talking points at its public meeting last night

Peel Commissioners met last night and discussed a number of issues affecting the town.

This included a review into Peel Day and a request for funding was received for funding from the local youth club.

The local authority agreed that the new TT schedule affected the event and it would be writing to the government to express its disappointment with the new program.

Deputy Chair Frank Crompton said he believed this year’s Peel Day event was ‘terrible’.

Clerk Derek Sewell told the board that the main complaint was that there was a reduction of visitors to the town.

The event had attracted a number of negative comments on social media about the lack of attendance and scheduling of activities.

Mr Sewell added that this year was the first time the TT had used the contingency day on the Monday since introducing the new schedule.

Chair Ray Harmer said the board needs to think about what is ‘best’ for the traders and claimed the new schedule isn’t allowing visitors to see the Island and go to other events.

However, the timetable has already been set for 2026, and Commissioner Katryna Baptist said the board should ask the municipal association to write in against the new schedule for 2027.

Also on the agenda was a request from the youth club for £7,500 to fund a four week summer program for young people in the town.

The previous board gave the club the same amount of money for its scheme last year.

However, Ms Baptist said the funding would help children who can’t afford to pay, which is about half of the attendees.

The other half pay a fee to join the activities.

She also confirmed that nearly all the children are from Peel, whilst some are from St John’s and surrounding areas.

It was agreed by the board to give them £5,000 for the summer program, but will be requiring information about how the money is spent.

Peel Commissioners will next meet on Thursday 17 July.