Finances at the Manx Utilities Authority will come under the spotlight in the House of Keys today (Tuesday).
David Ashford (Douglas North) will ask what plans are in place to ensure the repayment of the £185 million bond for the electricity section, due by 2034.
Meanwhile, Lawrie Hooper (LibVannin, Ramsey) wants to know how water rate income is ring-fenced for the provision of water by the MUA - the combined authority that was created from the former Manx Electricity Authority and the former Water Authority.
Like an old friend, the issue of Ramsey Courthouse will rear its head again during question time. Tim Baker (Ayre and Michael) will ask Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey what negotiations are planned with Ramsey Commissioners - the minister has promised to meet them - and once more wants to know what role ’social value’ will play when a decision is taken as to who should be allowed to buy the building.
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Julie Edge (LibVannin) continues to make good on her pledge to weed out inefficiency in government, particularly where consultants are concerned. She has tabled questions for written answer on the outsourcing of services and the re-grading of civil service posts.
Daphne Caine (Garff), fresh from her question about the impending intake imbalance at Onchan and Ashley Hill schools, will seek current and projected roll numbers for all schools, as well as their capacity.
Mr Ashford will be a busy man during today’s sitting. Not only does he have further questions, covering everything from energy efficiency in schools to regeneration plans for Douglas town centre, but he also gets to move the Standing Orders Committee report recommending changes to the procedure for elections to the Legislative Council (full report - page 5); which is timely, as we’re due to have one shortly to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Tony Wild.
Assuming MHKs spend some time on that matter, it means the Legislative Council itself may not be able to repeat last week’s feat of spending more time on business than the House of Keys.