Commissioners' chairman Brian Stowell stated: 'Fourteen posts are going over the next 18 months – that's not to say that 14 positions are to be made redundant.

'We are hoping we can re-employ or move people into the new posts being recreated and there will be a number of people leaving through retirement.

'We are looking at a leaner, meaner authority,' added Mr Stowell.

'This isn't a knee jerk-reaction. It's something we have been looking at for many, many months. It is all part and parcel of bringing Onchan Commissioners into the new century.

'We were drawing this up before the VAT crisis hit us but we have got to make serious cutbacks to try to mitagate the crisis. We are trying to keep the ship afloat.'

The posts at risk are across the board.

Mr Stowell explained: 'In 1986 Onchan village and district merged but nobody addressed the structure of the new board.

A rationalisation has been well overdue. We have looked at the organisation in general and have decided on a whole new structure.

'We are dealing with our friends, neighbours and colleagues here – we are not trying to force anything in, we are trying to do this as gently and sympathetically as possible.

'It is going to be difficult for some people but others who are close to retirement age may embrace it more enthusiastically.'

The board will now begin a consultation process to decide on the new structure and to determine which posts will go.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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YOUR COMMENTS

Mr B Stowell needs to go that one step further and disband the whole of Onchan Commissioners more power to Mr D Christian a forward thinking man of Douglas.
SOOTHSAYER