An MHK has outlined improvements to the way the government approves and delivers capital projects, highlighting a new system designed to avoid the time and cost overruns of the past.
Andrew Smith, a Treasury member, told Tynwald the previous capital procedures were “exceptionally difficult to navigate and manage”.
Speaking in the budget debate, Mr Smith detailed the work of the Project Development Fund (PDF), which was established in July 2023 to ensure schemes are fully developed before entering the main capital programme.
The fund allows departments to access money to progress projects, with that cost then reimbursed once the scheme is complete.
Mr Smith said the tangible benefits are “clearer oversight, better value for money, improved financial planning and more responsive decision making”.
Under the new process, capital schemes can be approved four times a year through quarterly gateways, rather than waiting for the annual budget.
“The PDF ensures that only fully developed, realistic and deliverable schemes progress to full capital approval,” Mr Smith said.
He cited the new Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) as a recent project delivered using the process, which he said contributed to its on-time, within-budget completion.
Mr Smith confirmed that just over £40 million has been provided in the 2026-27 budget for asset maintenance across all departments.