Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper will table a motion at July’s Tynwald sitting calling to abolish regional swimming pool rates.
In doing so, he will argue the current system forces some residents to “pay twice” for facilities used island-wide.
Residents in the east only pay for the NSC as part of their general taxes, while residents in the other parts of the island pay towards the regional pools in their local rates.
Mr Hooper said the currently system is simply “not fair”.
He proposed two solutions: “The simplest solution here is just to say everyone pays the same,” or to “treat these national assets as national assets, and we should all pay for them in the same way” through general revenue.
Open
The motion highlights that pools like Ramsey’s are open to all, with the Liberal Vannin leader noting: “There isn’t a rule that says you can’t use Ramsey swimming pool if you don’t live in the north.”
He accused government of ignoring inequities, saying: “It’ll be interesting to see now whether the government actually really wants to resolve this problem of inequity… or whether or not they really are not bothered about unfair tax systems.”
The motion comes amid uncertainty over the Southern Pool’s future, with the government’s most recent plans for a new southern high school including a pool.
Mr Hooper said: “If [government] decide to just replace the southern pool with a new southern pool, that will still be a southern pool board question.”
Tynwald will debate the motion next month.
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