New commissioner aims to be 'open and transparent'

Sandra Cottam-Shea has become Ramsey's newest commissioner

The newest local authority member in the north of the Isle of Man has said her top priorities are to be "open, honest and transparent".

Sandra Cottam-Shea was elected to the board of Ramsey Commissioners after a by-election in the town on Thursday.

The healthcare worker won with 162 votes, with a voter turnout of 18.6%.

She said her first task would to be to listen to the people because there was "a lot for me to learn".

Ms Cottam-Shea said she wanted to be a commissioner to address some of the "challenges" and "gripes" in the town, including empty homes and buildings.

"The only way you're going to try and make a change is to be involved," she said.

"I needed to understand and to be part of it."

'Colour, joy, togetherness'

A resident in the north of the island for 45 years, Ms Cottam-Shea said she wanted to listen to people and learn before asking "the right questions" and feeding back to the people.

"Commissioners need to be open, honest, transparent and explain what's going on because if people don't know they'll make it up," she said.

Among her other priorities were tackling the issue of empty properties, supporting the vulnerable and improving support for traders.

"If we want private homes and landlords to have buildings and properties fit for purpose then so should the authorities, we need to lead by example," she said.

She said was "a big fan of well-being and community spirit" and she hoped to inject "colour, joy, togetherness, celebration" into the role.