Get ready for cuts

Its the start of the new financial year and the full impact of the government cuts on the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure can be revealed for the first time. Extracts from the government’s own publications, which were published in February but not previously cross-referenced to previous years are published below. They reveal a 22.55% reduction in spending over a six year period – factor in inflation and the cuts will be hard.

Community, Culture & Leisure – expenditure by year (£)

Source: Isle of Man Government Budget "Pink Books"

Reduction between 2009 and 2016 – 4,376,195

Reduction as percentage of 2009 expenditure 22.55%

It is believed the sporting facilities are going to be badly affected as the department attempts its biggest ever cuts, almost two million pounds, in the year starting today. Hoping to escape media attention on a public holiday, the plan announced today is to rip up half the lanes on the NSC track.

The Department’s media release reasons: "A study conducted by students at Ballakermeen High School revealed that 97.5% of the use on the NSC track is within the inside three lanes. The outside lanes are chronically underused and yet they are the most expensive to maintain because they are wider. By reducing the size of the track we can save more than £50,000 a year on the undersoil heating system that was laid in 2010. Furthermore by relaying the track along the North Quay we can complete the Douglas 2000 plan to join the horse tram and steam railway tracks."

The Minister for the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure, Graham Cregeen, was due to give an interview at midday but instead he announced that the foolhardy idea had been withdrawn.