After more then 30 years as a councillor in Douglas, David Christian has been given the freedom of the borough.

Mr Christian, who has been leader of the council for over 15 years, was presented the honour by Mayor Jon Joughin.

The suggestion to give the award to Mr Christian was the proposed by Councillor John Skinner and seconded by Councillor Claire Wells before it was unanimously supported by the council.

Mr Skinner said: ’He [Mr Christian] has rendered eminent services to the town of Douglas and his commitment to its people is second to none.’

He added that Mr Christian’s more than 30 years’ experience in local politics proved how passionate he was about his home town and the Hills ward, which he has represented since 1987.

Seconding the motion, Mrs Wells said: ’At a time when localisation is very much to the fore, it is appropriate that we keep the theme of this afternoon to honour a local and incredibly dedicated figure.’

She added that, from his ’youthful entrepreneurial ventures’ in reviving rejected plants and reselling them, to his advocacy of ’reduce, reuse, recycle’, Mr Christian had shown his commitment to responsible waste management during his leadership of the council.

Mrs Wells also praised his ’tenacious personality’, ’unalloyed pride’ in Douglas and ’strong belief in duty and service’.

Mr Christian, who was given an MBE in 2013, said he was ’truly honoured’ and thanked the councillors, his friends, family and the officers and staff of the council for their support and hard work in delivering services to the people of Douglas.

He added: ’While emails, phone calls and social media serve a purpose, I remain a firm believer in face-to-face politics. As leader, I am proud that the council operates from a position of openness and democracy.’

Mr Christian was presented an illuminated address created by local artist Colleen Corlett, which interwove elements of Mr Christian’s life and work against a backdrop of an image of Douglas town hall.

Mr Christian told the Courier some of the things he has achieved of which he was most proud.

He said: ’When I first joined the council, lower Pulrose had the worst housing in the island and I was advised I’d never see it rebuilt.

’And now most of the estate has been rebuilt.

’We have sheltered housing and other estates have been done too.

’We have gone from having some of the most inferior public housing to some of the very best.

’We have also lit more roads. When I first joined, outside of the Promenades and the main roads, there was little proper lighting, which we have improved dramatically and we continue to work on, with our new energy-saving lights being fitted.

’I’m also pleased that we have as a council agreed to reduce in size to 12 members from 2020.

’The wards will be changed to reflect the House of Keys constituencies, so there will be four wards.’

He said: ’This will vastly improve the system and make it easier, I hope, for people to know who represents them locally.’

Mr Christian, who has been leader of the council for over 15 years, was presented the honour by Mayor Jon Joughin.