Latest news with #JuanMcGuinness
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Long-term housing plan to be created for Ramsey
Ramsey Commissioners have backed a move to create a long-term housing strategy for the town. At its local authority meeting this week, board member Juan McGuinness proposed that a publicly-available strategy, setting goals over the next five, 10 and 25 years, should be created. The plan would detail how housing stock would be refurbished, expanded and funded, with a draft strategy to be completed by its December public said the move would bring "stability and security" to the decision-making process. 'Rise in demand' In his motion, he said there was an "absence of a clear, national roadmap" set out by central government on social and local authority housing, while demand for public sector accommodation in Ramsey "continues to rise".The commissioners had a "duty to give applicants and tenants certainty" about the future of the housing stock in the town, he said the move would also enable a "transparent measurement of progress" and align decisions with the authority's long-term financial planning. The creation of the plan, which would be reviewed annually each January, was an opportunity to "reimagine" the town, he final strategy and subsequent progress reports would be published on the commissioners' website and made available at the town hall to enable the public to provide feedback on the plans, McGuinness added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Ramsey Commissioner calls for by-election candidates to come forward
Having a choice of several candidates in upcoming by-elections on the Isle of Man was "fundamental to democracy", a commissioner has said. The polls are due to take place in Ramsey South, Port Erin, Jurby, Douglas Central and Ballaugh, as not enough candidates had come forward in the local authority elections to fill the for candidates in those areas closes at 13:00 BST on Wednesday ahead of polling day on 17 McGuinness from Ramsey Town Commissioners said "representing your town", and "giving back to the community" was one of the "most important and best things you can do". Having democracy was "massively important and it starts at the local level", he said. "Becoming a Ramsey Town Commissioner, I can speak personally is one of the best things I've done over the last 10 years."He advised those interested in standing as a candidate to get in contact with their local town hall, "get as much information as possible", speak to current or past commissioners and have a look at what the role entails. 'Large influence' Responsibilities for the local authority included bins, street lights, park management and the cleanliness of the towns. McGuinness said "while what we are responsible for is small, what we can influence is large", such as putting pressure on central government for funding or raising awareness on local residents' he said it was "not just about finding one person to stand, it was about finding multiple people so that we can have a proper election" such as having hustings, canvassing, and manifestos, so those elected had "gone through a full democratic process". It was "fundamental to democracy, to the Isle of Man" and "we have to know that the people who are standing are the choice of the people", he are two seats up for grabs in Jurby, Port Erin and Ballaugh while Ramsey South Ward and Douglas Central Ward both have one seat available. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
