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The Isle of Man Municipal Association was established some 100 years ago. It has its own legal constitution as, although the Isle of Man is in the British Isles, it is not ruled by Britain – “a modern peculiarity from ancient ordinances”.
The main purpose of the Association is to provide a forum for Local Authorities. Political members and officers can attend to raise any issues which Local Authorities are responsible for, either as providing services, changes to existing legislation, performance standards and targets for example.
The Association meets on a monthly basis by way of an Executive Committee to which the Local Authorities who are members of the Association elect a representative to serve on the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee, after a consensus of opinion is obtained, can express, by way of representation or Petitions to Tynwald, the Manx legislative body, the 24 House of Keys, any Government Department, Statutory Board or any other body or organisation on matters relating to the duties, powers and interests of the Local Authorities or on any question of public interest and importance or challenge conventional assumptions concerning the provision of services to the people of the Isle of Man.
The Municipal Association has a significant privilege in that it can make submissions to existing legislation, Bills, Orders etc and/or propose legislation, bringing with it weight to those who receive such representation being a collective expression of the Local Authority members of the Association.
The Association is represented on external bodies and committees for example a Police Strategic Group, the Whitley Council where the opportunity is available for Local Authorities who employ a significant number of employees to make their views known, and the Richmond Hill Consultative Committee who in partnership with the Department of Local Government and the Environment oversee the operation and compliance of the Energy from Waste Plant.
The Isle of Man Municipal Association organise subject specific Seminars at which the issues raised can be voiced and questions asked of those who are ultimately responsible for the provisions and overseeing ‘good governance’ in the Island.
The main aim of the Association is to benefit the residents of the Island by Local Authorities working together, sharing ideas, strategies and resources where possible and to address the problems by raising greater awareness prior to decisions being made with economical, political, environmental and social impact on the Isle of Man.
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