Local Democracy IOM

A candidate in the upcoming election says he would be looking to improve Douglas Council's housing stock if elected. 

William Smedley, a businessman who has already served as a former parish councillor in England hopes to use his experience to make the local authorities budget and spending 'transparent'. 

Residents in Douglas South Ward will be able to vote at either the city hall, Anagh Coar car park mobile unit, Scoill Vallajeelt 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 Karel Ver Elst.

Mr Smedley says he also wants to see more trees planted in the capital and would like to reintroduce the weekly bin collections for residents. 

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him.

A candidate standing for the upcoming election in Castletown hopes to create a 'business plan' to run the local authority and would like a 'totally new' board to be voted in. 

John Cringle, a former Castletown Commissioner, says a plan is needed for the closure of Market Square during the summer and for the temporary closure during winter. 

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

Mr Cringle believes the town is 'disjointed' at the moment and would like to bring back some 'transparency' to the local authority. 

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him:

A Peel Commissioner standing for re-election says that solving the housing issue in Peel is one of his top priorities for the town. 

Frank Crompton, who's standing for a second time, hopes that if elected he'll be able to see through some ongoing projects as well as finding a solution to Michael Street. 

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

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

Mr Crompton says the approval of the sewage treatment works is 'good news' for residents, but would like to see the town become more inclusive and accessible. 

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him.

A candidate in the upcoming Local Authority Election believes there needs to be more facilities for the young people of Peel to try and reduce anti-social behaviour. 

Katryna Baptist, who works for a charity on the Island, says that if elected she would try and make the commissioners more 'transparent' and improve communication with residents.

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

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

Ms Baptist hopes to use her own experience of dealing with the local authority to improve it, including introducing live streaming. 

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to her:

A candidate standing for re-election in Castletown says there needs to be a plan for Market Square and the situation needs to be 'sorted properly'.

Beth Cannan, who is the current chair of the board, hopes to introduce a 'changing places' toilet into the town and install inclusive play equipment in the parks.

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 Tony Brown, John Cringle, William Galley, Colin Leather, Alan Leonard, Mahendrakumar Patel, Carol Quine and Laurence Watterson.

Mrs Cannan says the square has been a point of 'contention' in the community but believes it's what is right for the area.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to her:

An election candidate for Ramsey's North Ward says residents want to see 'regeneration and revitalisation' in the town.

Emma Honey, who works for the Northern Chamber of Commerce, believes the town has a lot of brownfield sites which need developing and 'repurposing' into usable spaces.

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

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

She says after reading negative comments on social media about the town, she'd like to 'co-create' a vision for the town to make them more positive.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to her:

A candidate in the upcoming Castletown election says he would like to see work done to 'enhance' Poulsom Park claiming it is an 'under utilised asset'. 

Bill Galley, who previously stood in 2021, believes the main issues facing residents in the town are the lack of parking and the closure of Market Square to vehicles. 

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

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

Mr Galley says he'd go to the public and see what the people would like the square to be as well as improving facilities for people with disabilities. 

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him:

A candidate standing in the upcoming election in Ramsey says he would like to carry on making the local authority as 'open and transparent' as possible. 

Juan McGuinness is hoping to be elected for a third term to the board and hopes the people of Ramsey can see his 'thought process' following the decisions which have been made over the last few years. 

Residents in Ramsey's North Ward will be able to vote on 24 April at Ramsey Town Hall from 8am until 8pm.  

The other candidates standing for Ramsey Commissioners North Ward are Emma Honey, Pauline Johns-Garrett, Katrina Netelat, Andrea Nolan, Elizabeth Shimmin, Margaret Webb and Wilf Young. 

Mr McGuinness says a lot of the work he's most proud of has been behind the scenes which includes improving the 'corporate governance' and amending the standing orders.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him.

A former MHK, who is standing in the Local Authority Election in April, says trust in politicians is 'more important now' than ever before. 

David Cretney is hoping to represent Douglas South for Douglas City Council and has housing, dog fouling and protecting public parks and spaces as the key topics on his manifesto.

He believes his previous political experience will help him in the role of councillor if elected and is the first candidate to declare they are standing.

He's standing as a representative of the Manx Labour Party. 

Mr Cretney says he would like to try and make a difference to his constituency if he's chosen to join the local authority.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him.

Live coverage of the 2021 Isle of Man Local Authority Elections - Hosted by Andy Wint & Ewan Gawne with a host of studio guests and reporters live at all the counts.