The former DoI Minister has told the House of Keys there is the danger of corruption in the island’s local authorities.
Dr Michelle Haywood was speaking as members debated handing over the Local Government (Amendment) Bill to her successor Tim Crookall.
She said: “The issues the bill addresses, conflict of interest, transparency and governance standards have not diminished with time, if anything, they become more pressing with the prospect of corruption in our local authorities still being a pressing one members.
“I am aware of ongoing concerns, where decisions being taken by local authorities, where members clearly have conflicts of interest and should not be involved in decision making about how to spend rate payers money.”
The remark prompted a point of order from Rob Callister, who asked for the remark to be withdrawn, noting local authority members were in the public gallery.
Speaker Juan Watterson said he could not rule against it as it was “not a remark directed at an individual”.
Adjourn
Members ultimately voted to reassign the bill to the new Department of Infrastructure Minister, Tim Crookall, who immediately moved to adjourn detailed consideration of the bill’s amendments until March 10.
Mr Crookall said he needed time to consult with local authorities, saying: “This work needs to be done.
“There is a break now, if you like, in trust, which has been there, obviously for some period of time between us and local authorities, and I’m hoping to try and rebuild that.”
The bill, which has been in development since 2017, aims to reform standards and introduce new powers. A key clause (Clause 5) would allow Tynwald to intervene where shared local authority services fail.
Dr Haywood urged progress, warning that delaying the bill “leaves serious governance issues that this bill has been trying to address now for nearly a decade unresolved”.
The motion to adjourn was approved by 21 votes to two.