Tynwald motion to introduce all island leisure rate fails

Lawrie Hooper claims the current swimming pool funding system is 'inequitable'

An all Island leisure rate will not be implemented by Tynwald, following a failed motion by a Ramsey MHK.

Lawrie Hooper asked Tynwald to approve a potential new system which would mean residents in Douglas, Onchan and Braddan would have to pay towards the regional swimming pools.

Currently only those living in the north, west and south pay for the facilities.

Mr Hooper said he put the motion forward because the current system is ‘inequitable’:

Treasury Minister and fellow Ramsey MHK Alex Allinson voted against the motion telling Tynwald it would be ‘papering over the cracks’ of a ‘fundamentally flawed’ system and urged those thinking of standing next to year to think about rate reform:

Whilst Douglas Central MHK Chris Thomas said that if the all Island leisure rate was introduced, it could mean that local authorities in the east run the NSC, like they do in the other areas.

Julie Edge, who represents Onchan, told the court that residents in her constituency pay for Onchan Park, but people from across the Island use the facility.

She added that residents welcome people from across the Island to the park, and that people can use all the swimming pools without paying the rates for them.

David Ashford MHK for Douglas North told the sitting that people living in the east ‘bear the higher burden’ of higher rates.

And suggested that other local authorities contribute to Douglas Council for the services it provides in the capital.

Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Tim Glover said the issue is ‘wider’ than a leisure rate and reform should be discussed at the start of the next administration.

The motion was voted down by four votes for to 19 against, but in the Legislative Council it was five for and three against.