People urged to go for 10 empty local authority seats

People are being urged to become members of their local authorities, with the potential for 10 by-elections across the Isle of Man.

The vacancies are available because of retirements, resignations, and the House of Keys election in September where several former commissioners became MHKs.

There are currently seats available in Arbory and Rushen, Ballaugh, Braddan, Douglas Council's south ward, Garff's Laxey ward, German, Michael, Peel, Port St Mary, and Ramsey.

Most boards have one empty seat, however, Ramsey Commissioners has three - one in its north ward and two in its south ward.

Meanwhile, Ballaugh, German, Michael and Port St Mary Commissioners all need two extra people.

Forms to apply to stand can be picked up from the local authorities themselves – the deadline for applications is 4 November.

If a contested election is needed at any of the local authorities then polling will take place on 3 December.

In Douglas, there is one seat available in the south ward after the departure of Karel Ver Elst.

Council leader Devon Watson said it was "important" that was a contested election.

He said: "It's also helpful for voters to be able to meet their representatives, to be able to have that conversation with people and put their concerns and ideas out there.

"We would love to have someone who's really collaborative, who's really community-minded, who's really embedded within the community, who's able to work with us."

In Port St Mary there are two seats available, and the commissioners are inviting people to its board meeting on 28 October at the town hall to learn more about what it does and how it operates.

Commissioners chair of Jean Teare recommended that any prospective candidates put together a "small leaflet" about issues in the area.

Teare said: "We need community spirited people who are out there and listening to the ratepayers."

Further north in Ramsey there are three vacant seats, and the commissioners are also planning to hold a drop-in session for residents interested in joining.

Chair of the commissioners Sandra Cottam-Shea said with "three people down" they needed more to sit across the various boards to provide "a separate view" in a currently "diluted" group of people.

"I'm not saying there's anything wrong with their opinions, but it would be better if we got a greater level of views," she said.

She said while experience in certain fields would be "lovely" it was "not necessary".

Teare added that the authority wanted people aiming to "make positive changes and have Ramsey shining".

In Garff, street cleaning, waste collections, and budgets are among the issues prospective commissioners will have to manage.

The local authority is having a by-election to fill in the empty seat on its Laxey ward.

Administration Officer Kezia Sproule-Craine said becoming a commissioner gave people the chance to do something positive for the community.

"We think it's so important to get a diverse selection of people from all over Garff," she said.

While it was a Laxey ward seat, "commissioners are expected to act in the best interests of the whole area", she said.

"That for us stretches from Ballure, Maughold, Laxey, Lonan, all the way up to Groudle."

There were a wide range of issues and projects to address in the area, Sproule-Carine said, which "does require a meaningful commitment".

But "at the same time it's more than manageable alongside work and family", she added.

By-elections in contested areas will take place on 3 December.

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