Regeneration committees get new job

Committees to take on more responsibilities

Chief Minister Allan Bell says regeneration committees, set up to spend government money in towns and villages, are to take on a new role.

They’ll also get a new name to reflect their added responsibilities, becoming Local Regeneration Committees.

Mr Bell says the bodies will be able to promote the government’s economic growth plans by gathering data on unemployment, housing and businesses in each area.

The committee will also be asked to find vacant sites and suggesting better economic uses for land.

Ramsey’s body will be the first to make changes – it’ll undergo a short trial before the scheme is extended to Castletown, Laxey, Peel, Port Erin, and Port St Mary.