Shift in public service provision may be 'defining moment' - Gawne

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne says he's considering passing responsibility for a batch of public services from government to local authorities.

He's written to all authorities in the Island asking if they would be willing to take on responsibility for functions ranging from provision of public toilets to weed spraying.

The letter follows a series of meetings between local authorities and Minister Gawne, Policy and Reform Minister Chris Robertshaw  and Environment Minister Richard Ronan.

Mr Gawne says at this stage he wants local authorities to take part in an informal gathering of views and stresses no decisions have been taken.

Services being discussed include hedge cutting, street sweeping and off-street parking - though the Department of Infrastructure would retain responsibility for these services on strategic routes around the Island.

It's suggested that any increase in costs to ratepayers from the transfer of services could be offset by freezing the proposed rise in waste disposal costs for local authorities.

Mr Gawne believes if such a move could be made to the satisfaction of all parties, it could be a defining moment in the development of a stronger system of local government for Manx people.