Douglas Borough Council has confirmed it has submitted a bill for £830 to Hospice Isle of Man for street cleansing following the charity’s Colour Me Rainbow event at the start of this year’s Douglas Carnival.

The Council wishes to make it clear, however, that it is claiming only half of the total cost of clearing Douglas Promenade of the coloured powder paint.

Council Leader David Christian MBE JP said: ‘For the first two years of Douglas Carnival we levied no charge for the clean-up operation after the Colour Me Rainbow run. For 2016 however, following discussions with Hospice representatives, it was agreed the Council would look to the charity for a 50 per cent contribution towards cleansing costs.

‘Had Hospice chosen to stage the Colour Me Rainbow independently, rather than “piggy back” onto the Carnival, the costs they would have incurred would have been considerably more and the organisational logistics of the event would have fallen to them.

‘It is not Council practice to clean up public highways for third parties. By way of example the Council no longer cleans up after the horse trams, as the service is now the responsibility of the Department of Infrastructure. The Council did offer to provide a cleansing service at a cost, but the Department declined to take up the proposal.

‘Given the cordial relationship we have enjoyed with Hospice, however, the Council agreed to undertake the post-Colour Me Rainbow clean-up operation but seek only half the cost. The bill for £830, therefore, stands.’