Government contributing £48k to keep tip open

The Department of Infrastructure will contribute £48,590 to the running costs of a tip in the north of the Isle of Man.

The Northern Civic Amenity Board, made up of local authorities in the area, handed back the contract to operate the site after Bride Commissioners withdrew its £67,000 contribution a year ago.

In March the Department of Infrastructure said it would take over the administration for the coming year, with all local authorities contributing funding.

The response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed the department has also contributed funds to cover the costs of the facility for 2025-26.

Contributing local authorities are Ramsey, Ballaugh, Lezayre, Garff, Andreas, Jurby, and Bride.

In email correspondence released as part of the FOI request, the department's deputy chief officer Jeff Robinson told boards of commissioners he said the funds were "to keep the site open until a sustainable solution is found through the course of this year".

But he warned in March that each local authorities would need to agree to pay a new annual contribution in order for the facility to remain open, including Bride Commissioners, which has now agreed to contribute £11,900.

The newly calculated figures have seen each local authority pay slightly less, with the overall cost totalling £426,269, including the department's contribution.

That represents a drop of £57,731 on the running cost of £484,000 last year.

Ramsey Town Commissioners, which has been contracted by the department to operate the site, has the largest contribution of £255,948, which is down from the previous £261,365.

In his correspondence Mr Robinson told local authorities that while it may not be how some of the local authorities wanted the situation to be resolved, "keeping the site open whilst future funding options are considered was the right thing to do" which was "in the best interest of residents".

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