Local Democracy IOM

An election candidate for Ramsey's North Ward says her top priority is to open the re-use shed at the Northern Civic Amenity Site. 

Pauline Johns-Garrett, standing for the Liberal Vannin Party, also wants to see more support for the elderly and people with disabilities by lobbying for 'skipper buses' and more dropped kerbs. 

Residents will be able to vote at Ramsey Town Hall from 8am until 8pm on Thursday 24 April.

Mrs Johns-Garrett also believes that the businesses in the town should be cleaning their own shop fronts and pavements, rather than relying on commissioner's support.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to her.

A candidate standing in the upcoming Local Authority Election says he wants to see Castletown become 'more inclusive' for people with disabilities. 

Laurence Watterson, who's lived in the town for 45 years, would like to review parking availability if elected and would campaign for better blue badge parking in the area. 

Residents will be able to vote at Castletown Town Hall from 8am until 8pm on Thursday 24 April.   

The other candidates are Tony Brown, Beth Cannan, John Cringle, William Galley, Alan Leonard, Colin Leather, Mahendrakumar Patel and Carol Quine. 

Mr Watterson also believes more improvement is needed for the town's shopping streets and people need to stop looking through 'rose coloured glasses' about the past. 

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him.

A candidate standing for Peel Commissioners wants to see more 'transparency' and would try and improve the social media pages. 

William Otieno-Costain, a business owner, says if elected he would also like to review the business rates in the town and lobby the government to raise rates on empty properties.

Residents will be able to vote at Corrin Hall from 8am until 8pm on Thursday 24 April. 

The other candidates standing are Katryna Baptist, Frank Crompton, Alistair Cubbon-Wood, Stuart Hardingham, Ray Harmer, Sharon Lambert, Christine Moughtin. 

Mr Otieno-Costain also hopes to improve the facilities available for young people in the town and create a 'third space'. 

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him.

A former Department of Infrastructure minister standing for re-election to Peel Town Commissioners in the local authority general election says keeping 'financial responsibility' has been key to keeping rate increases low for the last few years. 

Ray Harmer, who joined the board in a by-election two years ago, hopes to use reserves from making 'efficiencies' to improve children's play areas and for the Marine Parade development.

Residents on the electoral roll will be able to vote at the Corrin Hall from 8am until 8pm on Thursday 24 April. 

The other candidates standing are Katryna Baptist, Frank Crompton, Alistair Cubbon-Wood, Stuart Hardingham, Sharon Lambert, Christine Moughtin and William Otieno-Costain.

Mr Harmer also wants to see the local chamber of commerce reformed as well as an online tourist trail around the town. 

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him.

An election candidate for Ramsey's North Ward says she wants to see more support for local businesses in the town. 

Andi Nolan, who owns two businesses, says she won't be 'promising the world' but would try and resolve as many issues raised with her as she can and wants residents to 'feel heard'.

Residents will be able to vote at Ramsey Town Hall from 8am until 8pm on Thursday 24 April.

The other candidates standing are Emma Honey, Pauline Johns-Garrett, Juan McGuinness, Katrina Netelat, Elizabeth Shimmin, Margaret Webb and Wilf Young. 

Mrs Nolan also wants to see rate reductions for businesses during start up periods to try and reduce the amount of businesses closing down. 

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to her.

A candidate standing in the upcoming election wants to try and tackle the dog poo problem in Peel and is open to ideas. 

Sharon Lambert, who's retired, says she'd like to see more 'transparency' from the commissioners with its communication and would also be looking to improve its social media usage. 

Residents on the electoral register will be able to vote at Corrin Hall from 8am until 8pm on Thursday 24 April. 

The other candidates are Katryna Baptist, Frank Crompton, Alistair Cubbon-Wood, Stuart Hardingham, Ray Harmer, Christine Moughtin and William Otieno-Costain. 

Ms Lambert also hopes to resolve a number of parking issues around the town including vehicles parked for longer than the allocated time and reviewing the by-laws. 

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to her.

A former chief minister standing to be elected to Castletown Commissioners says providing 'quality' public services would be one of his priorities. 

Tony Brown, who was also the town's MHK for 30 years, hopes to carry out a review of all the parking in the town and keep Market Square open to vehicles during the winter months. 

Residents on the electoral roll will be able to vote at Castletown Town Hall from 8am until 8pm on Thursday 24 April.  

The other candidates are Beth Cannan, John Cringle, William Galley, Alan Leonard, Colin Leather, Mahendrakumar Patel, Carol Quine and Laurence Watterson.  

Mr Brown also says he would like to see more investment in the maintenance of children's play areas, including in Poulsom Park.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him.

A candidate standing for re-election in Patrick believes the local authority is now 'running smoothly' after a series of resignations in 2023. 

Gordon Clague, the current chair of the commissioners, says he would like to see the rates kept low but has sorting out the pavements and hedge trimming at the top of his manifesto.

Residents in Patrick will be able to vote at either Foxdale Primary School, Knockaloe Visitor Centre or St James Church from 8am until 8pm on Thursday 24 April. 

The other candidates standing are John Anderson, Henry Bridson, Paul Craker, Leo Cussons and Simon Mellor.

Mr Clague also says residents in Foxdale won't be 'neglected' despite no candidate coming forward to represent the village. 

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him.

A candidate standing in the Douglas South election says he would like to see the weekly bin collections reinstated if elected to the board. 

Karel Ver Elst, who is from South Africa, claims the council should be run like a 'utility' to prevent overspending on 'vanity projects'. 

Residents in Douglas South Ward will be able to vote at either the city hall, Anagh Coar car park mobile unit, Scoill Valajeelt and the Meadows Pavillion at Douglas Golf Club from 8am until 8pm on Thursday 24 April.

The other candidates standing are Steven Crellin, David Cretney and William Smedley.

Mr Ver Elst also says if elected, he would support a rate freeze for two years and carry out a review into all of the local authority's finances. 

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him.

A candidate standing for re-election in Castletown says he would push government for an all Island leisure rate to support the southern swimming pool. 

Colin Leather, who is a current commissioner, believes the new fire station car park will resolve the majority of the parking issues and would also like a handrail installed in Barracks Square to help people with disabilities. 

Residents in Castletown who are on the electoral roll will be able to vote at Castletown Town Hall from 8am until 8pm on Thursday 24 April.   

The other candidates standing are Tony Brown, Beth Cannan, John Cringle, William Galley, Alan Leonard, Mahendrakumar Patel, Carol Quine and Laurence Watterson.   

Mr Leather also claims he would lobby the government for support with Farrants Park housing estate which are is 'desperate need' of refurbishment. 

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him.