Castletown Commissioners have approved the creation of a new committee aimed at supporting business, encouraging investment and promoting public services within the town.
Chairman Tony Brown said commissioners believe Castletown has suffered a “total lack of investment” by previous governments and statutory bodies over the last 10 years, which they say has adversely affected businesses and the community.
Commissioners also said Castletown has lost a number of important community services in recent years and that it is important to reverse that decline.
Identifying Opportunities
The new body, to be known as the Castletown Business and Services Committee (CBSC), will sit under the commissioners’ Strategy Committee and will focus on identifying opportunities to improve the town centre, support existing businesses, attract new businesses and employment, and encourage investment in public services and facilities.
The board approved proposals for the committee to include commissioners, constituency MHKs and representatives of Castletown’s business sector.
Representatives from government departments, statutory bodies and heritage organisations may also be invited to participate.
According to the approved remit, the committee will work to support retail and business opportunities, encourage government and statutory body investment, increase visitor footfall, enhance public services and facilities, and identify opportunities to protect and promote Castletown’s heritage.
Commissioners said it was vital that Castletown, which they described as the only town in the south of the island, is not overlooked in relation to business and government investment and the provision of services.
The committee will normally meet quarterly and provide an annual report to commissioners on its work and future proposals.
