Having held informal video meetings during the Covid Pandemic, the Commissioners last night held their first Ordinary Board meeting since March which was preceded by the Statutory meeting that had been deferred since May.
Mr David Parnell was elected as Chairman for the remainder of the term until April 2021, with Mr Richard McAleer being elected as Vice Chairman.
Mr Parnell commented;
“I am both honoured and delighted to be elected as Chairman of Castletown Commissioners.
No one on the Board of the Commissioners anticipated being asked to continue in post unelected at the expiry of our previous term in April.
When we set our last budget in January, we made financial provision for capital projects that would be determined after the next election by the next Board.
Without a mandate from the people I very much see us as an interim Board, as much as possible carrying out a caretaker role until the April 2021 local election.
Having said that, the Town cannot stop and we will continue to do what we can to invest in making Castletown even more of a place where people want to live, work and spend their leisure time.
Six months ago, nobody saw coming the effect that Covid-19 would have on our Island. Along with the financial challenges created for everybody, it has undoubtedly, also brought opportunity.
We know that families and businesses are reassessing where and how they want to work and live, and I will be working closely with our staff to showcase our wonderful town to potential new
residents and businesses, showing them our vision for their 21st century future in our beautiful Georgian town.
Clearly, our existing businesses are more important to the town than ever and I want you all to tell us what we can do to help you move forward in this new Manx normal.
I hope we can do more to reach out to our neighbouring authorities to deliver better services for everyone, without compromising our proud identity as the ancient capital of Mann.”