Concerns raised on impact of local government bill

MLCs will hear evidence from the local authorities on Tuesday afternoon

A proposed bill that would mandate local authorities to provide certain services could have "significant impact" on rate-payers, the Chairman of Peel Commissioners has said.

The Local Government Amendment Bill 2023 is being considered by Tynwald's Upper Chambers, with Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) due to hear from all 21 local authorities at a sitting on Tuesday afternoon.

The legislation also includes updates to duties such as by-law processes and members expenses.

But Ray Harmer, Chairman of Peel Commissioners, said the bill had the potential to create "additional cost to local authorities without any need for consultation".

Harmer previously launched a consultation in 2017, when he was serving as the Infrastructure Minister, as part of a drive to improve the delivery of local services and increase transparency within local authorities.

'Parity of services'

The bill was subsequently created in 2021 after being worked through by a select committee, but it has since been shelved a number of times.

It was reinstated two years ago, in 2023, with additions relating to interests, minute-taking and expenses.

However, local authorities have raised concern following an amendment put forward by Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper.

The proposed change would allow the Department of Infrastructure (DoI) to require certain services from local authorities, as well as minimum standards.

Harmer said the bill had "grown into much more than it was intended" and would provide the government with a "blank cheque to modify the local authorities and what they do".

Concerns include having to increase rates to pay for services imposed, no monetary compensation proposed for taking on services, and the lack of consultation carried out by the DoI in respect of the bill.

But Hooper said the move would ensure there was "parity" of service provision in each area, adding "the clause enables Tynwald to say we think everyone should have access to a library and by and large we don't mind how you do that".

The Legislative Council will consider the written evidence received from 14 of the island's local authorities, before MLCs consider the individual clauses of the bill at the next sitting.