Treasury Minister Chris Thomas has insisted the proposed One Government Estate reforms are “not a last minute initiative”.
Answering a Tynwald question from Jason Moorhouse, Mr Thomas said previous work in 2009 “wasn’t rejected” but was revised and received in December of that year.
The current proposal, which will be debated later this sitting, involves “clear statutory governance, professional leadership and defined accountability” for the whole government estate.
Mr Thomas acknowledged costs remain “a legitimate concern” but said the proposal provides for “initial investment in specialist property, financial and governance capability” – something the 2009 approach lacked.
However, Lawrie Hooper took issue with the minister’s claim that costs and benefits had been “transparently identified”, describing some figures as “literally a finger in the air”.
Rob Callister questioned how costs and headcount would be controlled, noting other boards set up under this administration “have actually increased their head count, increased their costs, and haven’t been effective”.
Mr Thomas said the proposal is “the culmination of many years of work, not a late political initiative”, adding: “I don’t bring motions that I don’t agree with.”