New Onchan Commissioner Outlines Priorities for District

A civil servant has been elected to fill the vacant seat on the board of a local authority in the east of the Isle of Man. Scott Wilson emerged as the leading candidate in Thursday’s by-election for Onchan Commissioners, securing 447 votes, which accounted for 63% of the 714 votes cast. The voter turnout for the election, which was prompted by Fenella Logan’s resignation from the local authority in August, stood at 10.34% of the 6,966 registered voters. Mr Wilson stated that his key objectives include job creation and sustainability, as well as addressing “real concerns” from residents regarding road safety and antisocial behaviour. He added that after observing “some frosty behaviour” among existing members at previous meetings from the public gallery, he also intends to “understand the issues” and encourage the board to “really focus on the best interests of the district”. The other candidates in the by-election, Nigel Dobson and Oliver Lockwood, received 189 votes and 71 votes respectively. Wilson, who has been a resident in the village for over five years, expressed his belief that his priorities are “reflective of the concerns and interests” of the community. He articulated a desire for safer streets, proposing the installation of improved lighting and pedestrian-friendly crossings in areas “identified as risk-prone,” alongside an increase in neighbourhood policing. Collaborating with local businesses to establish apprenticeships and work-placements for residents, particularly young people, is also among his aims, he noted. He observed that a “real appetite” for advancements in recycling and waste management became apparent to him while canvassing in the district prior to the poll, as people wished to “do their bit” for the environment. The newly elected commissioner will serve as a board member for five months, until the island’s local authority general election on 24 April next year. Wilson stated that he intends to utilize the remainder of the term to “understand the foundations” and “do the research to find out realistic time frames” for introducing the schemes.