Public board teams move to DEFA

OFT and RTLC officers relocate

Two Manx public bodies are to merge with a government department.

Staff from the Office of Fair Trading and the Road Transport Licensing Committee are to move to DEFA headquarters in St John's.

The change from 1 April will release the OFT's premises in Lord Street and the RTLC's office in Prospect House, both in Douglas, for potential sale.

The two bodies will remain independent and retain their chairmen - MHK David Quirk and Keith Watterson respectively.

DEFA Minster Richard Ronan says many of his department's functions are similar to those of the OFT and RTLC - and merging the teams will mean a better service and value for the taxpayer.

Public contact phone numbers, emails and website addresses will remain the same.

The OFT oversees trading standards and consumer rights, while the RTLC regulates public transport on the Island's roads.