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Tynwald discusses government reform

 

Tynwald sits today, with a shakeup of government high on the agenda.

 

During the January sitting, members will have their say on the government’s plans to merge the Island’s water and electricity authorities to create a new Manx Utilities Authority.

 

They could also sound the death knell for the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure as it’s broken up and its functions transferred elsewhere.

 

And the Department of Social Care will ask the court for almost £800,000 to press ahead with work at Janet’s Corner in Castletown.

 

Politicians have 23 questions for oral answer and another 12 for written answer, covering subjects such as public sector housing rent hikes, loans to the Sefton Group, and future bus strikes.

 

Castletown MHK Richard Ronan will press Chief Minister Allan Bell on how the Island protects its sea defences in the light of recent storm damage, and Michael MHK Alf Cannan will ask about extra manpower brought in by the Department of Infrastructure during severe weather.

 

At the very end of the sitting, Onchan MHK Peter Karran will call on members to scrap their current pension scheme, which he describes as "unsustainable".

 

You can hear live coverage of today’s Tynwald sitting on Manx Radio’s AM 1368 frequency – and online at manxradio.com – from 10.30am.

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