Colin Kniveton, a chartered management accountant who for many years headed up several government departments, could at 63 be forgiven for putting up his feet and taking it easy.
But he said: ’When I saw the circular go round about the merger [between the authorities], it was something I felt was a good idea. There were a number of opportunities. I could bring my experience to help and see how combining can bring efficiencies and money savings.’
During his time as chief executive at the then Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry he worked closely with Phil Gawne, then minister in his role as Rushen MHK. They were instrumental in developing the new eco-friendly department headquarters at St John’s.
Mr Gawne became commissioners’ clerk to both authorities in 2017, meaning a merger was on the cards from then on.
Mr Kniveton meanwhile left government in 2014 and kept busy with a number of different roles at Cyclefest, Isle of Man Creamery and Laxey Mills until this summer.
His experience and their previous working relationship meant it was the right fit to apply for the job in an historic move for the authorities and the island.
Local authority reform island-wide has being discussed for decades, but the only change has been a reduction from 24 to 22, which came about through the voluntary merger of Lonan, Laxey and Maughold Commissioners, to form Garff, in 2015.
In addition to an MA in managing change in the public sector, he employed many skills during a four-month secondment to the Channel Island of Sark. He was appointed as Sark’s first civil servant to implement the recommendations of an independent review of the government.
He said: ’The Ministry of Justice, they had a number of issues about the governance. I gave ideas on committee structure, economic policy, work permits, the role of the president and judiciary and structure. Initially the governmment was not very enamoured and rejected everything, but they were told by the Minister of Justice "if you don’t implement it we’ll change it for you". They had a change of heart.
’It was like going into Rushen and telling them how they should organise themselves. Being told what to do, one or two were not happy with what was going on, generally people thought it was worthwhile.’
Diplomatic skills will be needed when dealing with the neighboring authority in Port Erin. The two authorities are battling over who should claim the Ballakilley housing estate. Port Erin even applied for the deputy clerk position, but was rejected because of a conflict of intrest.
How will Mr Kniveton deal with the situation? ’There are a number of challenges to look forward to,’ he said. ’The commisioners have exciting plans for the sports fields at Ballakilley.
’I’m very content with my role to support the clerk. My family and friends are very supportive of the merger. Parishes are run in a very cost effective way, Gill Kelly [former Rushen clerk] and Ian Lowey [former Arbory clerk] worked very hard, they never looked for remuneration to befit the work they did. I want to help ratepayers get a good deal.’
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