Commissioners discuss delay to social housing payments from DoI

It was one of a few items on the local authority's agenda

Onchan Commissioners met last night to discuss problems with the housing deficiency fund that is given to all the local authorities which have a housing stock.

The money is given to local authorities to cover funding gaps with social housing and is used for issues including maintenance work.

The clerk said there had been a number of delays to the payments and had spoken to other officers who have had the same issue.

However, a letter sent to the board from the Department of Infrastructure says there have been ‘budgetary challenges’ but is hiring a new officer ‘dedicated’ to overseeing local authority projects.

The Department of Infrastructure has been contacted for comment.

Also discussed last night was changing the meeting days to become more accommodating as well as organising a service to celebrate residents who have done good deeds in the community.

On the agenda last night was a motion from the chair Zara Lewin to rearrange the meeting dates to allow all the commissioners to attend.

They are supposed to be once a fortnight as per the boards standing orders – a fact pointed out by Commissioner Derek Crelllin.

He said that the standing orders should be followed and moving the July meeting to the 22 rather than the 15 is going against it.

Commissioner Anthony Allen claimed it would be ‘silly’ to hold a meeting on the 23 December under the proposed change, but Commissioner Robin Turton said it’s not because that’s how it would fit in with the standing orders.

The clerk told the board the longer they debate, more meetings could be missed.

Chair Zara Lewin decided to withdraw the motion and redraft it for the next meeting in two week's time.

And the board has agreed to hold a small service celebrating the achievements of Dougie Porter, following the D-Day anniversary memorial in the village.

Mr Porter has been the standard bearer to Onchan for over 30 years, and the commissioners agreed to present him with certificate to thank him for his time.