Her Worship the Mayor Councillor Carol Malarkey JP has stressed the importance of local and central government working together for the benefit of Douglas and of the challenges faced by local authorities to deliver 'more for less'.
Her Worship with Brent Thomas, Trevor Kirk, Andrew Thomas and Maureen Quayle
Welcoming members of the Douglas business community to Douglas town hall for the annual Mayor's business lunch on Friday March 21st Her Worship said that to secure a resilient economic future for the town the Council, in partnership with the private sector and central government, all had 'crucial roles to play, despite mounting pressures on budgets that are already stretched and continuing economic uncertainties at home and abroad.'
Her Worship with Council Leader Councillor David Christian MBE JP and Mark Davison
'These are exceptional times and exceptional times demand exceptional measures,' she said, referring to the government's scope and structure ambitions and its drive to pass on more services to local authorities.
Assistant chief executive Sue Harrison, borough engineer Ian Clague, Jeremy Callin and Danielle Charman
The Council was 'working smarter', developing its online and social media presence and investing in Douglas, refurbishing exisiting and building new homes, upgrading street lighting, and committing around £1million in other aspects of the town's infrastructure. This prompted Her Worship to comment 'All of which is no mean achievement given the increased costs government is putting on to local authorities, not least in matters of waste management.'
Councillor David Ashford and Peter Reid
Her Worship went on to refer to the Council's unswerving commitment to town centre regeneration, to which it had pledged £1.9 million, its support of Island of Culture 2014 and its central role in reviving the Douglas Carnival taking place on July 19th.
Councillor Ritchie McNicholl, Peter Long and Councillor Jon Joughin
She concluded by saying: ' Douglas is a town proud of its past...and confident of its future. A future that will be stronger and better if we work together.'
Town centre manager Michelle O'Malley and Lawrence Looney
Senior engineer and waste services manager Andy Crook with John Quaye
