Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK has announced a pilot scheme to enable the six Local Regeneration Committees to take on a wider remit.
The move is in recognition of the success that has been achieved in driving forward physical improvements to in the Isle of Man's towns and villages.
Regeneration projects are helping to breathe fresh life into the Island's commercial centres as part of efforts to grow the national economy. In order to continue the good work, consideration is being given to providing the committees with more responsibility.
The Chief Minister explained:
'Local Regeneration Committees provide a unique platform where national and local politicians work in partnership with business people to oversee the delivery of local infrastructure schemes that support their local economy. More importantly, the Committees are a proven format for delivering successful schemes at the local level with strong community support.'
The need for local delivery of Government's priorities has already been stated in the Chief Minister's foreword to Vision 2020:
'The economic challenge now facing the Isle of Man is one for the whole community ... making sure the Isle of Man is the best place to do business is a matter for everyone.'
The Chief Minister added:
'It is clear from the work on regeneration that if local economies are to thrive and play their part in growing and supporting the national economy then the remit is wider than retail. It extends to include vacant development sites, marketing of the town, encouraging investment, promoting events, and even public art.'
The additional remit of the Local Economy Committees in addition to their purposes as Regeneration Committees could include:
• Supporting the delivery of Vision 2020 and the Government's economic growth agenda.
• Compiling, in conjunction with Government, a baseline of local economic information which includes employment sectors, employment numbers, unemployment, housing numbers and types, retail information, number of new businesses established, the businesses benefitting from grants, footfall figures and vacant shop unit data.
• Identifying vacant sites and using the local economic baseline and the Employment Land Review database to identify priority projects to grow and support the local economy.
• Identifying current land use allocations which could be changed as and when Statutory Local Plans are prepared to promote local economic development.
Ramsey Regeneration Committee has agreed unanimously to undertake a short trial to see how the wider remit would work. It is planned to support each Local Regeneration Committee to take on this wider remit to help secure long-term economic success for the Island's town and villages.
To further enhance the coordination of economic support for the town centre, Ramsey Commissioners are considering the introduction of a new role in the form of a Town Centre Manager. This will be a key position aimed at coordinating events and working proactively with the business community to make the most of what Ramsey has to offer.
Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly MHK explained the importance of a regional approach to supporting economic activity:
'It is important that all regions share in the Isle of Man's success and that each community has an active say in how it is developed. I believe the Regeneration Committees have played a valuable role in ensuring Government's investment has gained the broadest support and is making a real difference to each community's economy and quality of life. Given the Committees are working successfully, I agree that it is entirely logical to maintain and expand them into Local Economic Committees in order to help guide further economic and wider development in their communities.'
The Department of Economic Development's Financial Assistance Scheme offers greater support to new or existing Isle of Man businesses wishing to base themselves outside of Douglas in one of the Island's regeneration areas: Castletown, Laxey, Peel, Port Erin, Port St Mary and Ramsey. Any eligible business setting up in one of the Island's regeneration areas will be considered for support of up to 100% of the first year's rent, capped at £50,000.
It is anticipated that the Local Economic Committees could be operational before the end of the year.
