Financial information showing costs of providing services published
The infrastructure minister warns there are challenging times ahead and services will be changing as his Department Plan for 2024-25 is published.
Tim Crookall says his department faces an 'incredibly hard' period as financial information shows the cost of providing many of the department's services, this year, has outstripped the income they provide.
Finances
In the last financial year Public Estates and Housing recorded a net revenue of £28,658,000.
The division received £14,495,000 in income, whilst expenditure was at £43,154,000.
Bus Vannin recorded a net revenue of just under £7million. The public transport provider marked an income of £5,210,000 and an expenditure of £12,195,000, creating a difference of £6,985,000.
Ronaldsway Airport marked an income of £4,613,000 and an expenditure of £13,472,000.
The Heritage Rail network brought in £2.2million over the year but £5.7million was spent on it in return.
The areas bringing in money to the department; Vehicle and Driver Licensing and Administration brought home £15,973,000, and Harbours brought in £2.377million.
Achievements
The Department Plan also highlights some of the work accomplished over the past year, including: the opening of the new Isle of Man Ferry Terminal in Liverpool and 'record amounts' of road resurfacing carried out around the Island.
The ferry terminal in Liverpool opened in June 2024 following many delays and the overall cost of the capital project still isn't known (though estimates place it in the region of £70-£80million).
It also notes the work to upgrade and extend the King Edward VIII Pier in Douglas Harbour to accommodate the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s new vessel Manxman.
Words of Warning
In his foreword to the plan the minister says: "The next few years are going to be equally challenging as the Island starts to recover from a series of worldwide financial shocks and rebalances its budget.
"It is against this challenging context that we set this annual plan.
"You will see that it is focused on reshaping the department to better meet the challenges ahead.
"Services will have to change; the organisation will have to adapt, and expectations of the department will need to be managed.
"There is no doubt that this will be an incredibly hard period for the department and it is accepted that this plan underplays the difficulties ahead, but it is also important to me personally that we do this in a fair and transparent way.
"The department has had great success over the past 12 months and this is because of its hardworking and dedicated people who strive to achieve the best outcomes on behalf of the Manx public.
"I know that they will continue to rise to the challenges ahead."
The Year Ahead
Amongst its priorities and targets for the year the DoI cites a plan to create a housing association, develop a transport strategy, and review the Sea Services with the Steam Packet Company.
It also aims to create an Airport Non-Executive Board to work on a long-term policy framework, strategy and investment plan to consider a new operating model for Ronaldsway.
You can find the Department of Infrastructure's 2024-25 Department Plan HERE.
Manx Radio has invited the infrastructure minister for an interview on this matter.
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