The Department of Home Affairs has transferred its corporate headquarters to the former Drill Hall at Tromode.
Minister Juan Watterson MHK and members of staff from the Chief Executive’s Office moved last week as part of the phased relocation of key functions.
Senior management and support staff from the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service are also in place at the building, which was originally commissioned by the Territorial Army Association and most recently served as the headquarters of the Water and Sewerage Authority.
A number of administration teams from the Isle of Man Constabulary will move to Tromode later this month, with other police personnel, including members of the Organisational Development Unit, scheduled to follow early in 2016.
The relocation will allow the Department’s former headquarters at Homefield on Woodbourne Road in Douglas to be offered for sale.
Maximising the use of its new base at Tromode will also help Home Affairs to generate savings of ?100,000 over the next three years by vacating rented offices and storage space.
Minister Watterson said: ‘Downsizing the Department’s estate is a key part of the drive to protect frontline services while meeting our challenging budget targets. Merging services, relocating staff and consolidating storage facilities are reducing costs and ensuring we are running ourselves as efficiently as possible. This approach means that we can continue to provide a range of community-focused services for spending of less than ?1 a day per head of population.’
Chief Officer Mark Kelly added: ‘The Department remains at the forefront of efforts to support Government’s priorities of protecting vulnerable people and rebalancing public finances. The relocation of the corporate headquarters to Tromode is another example of how Home Affairs is reorganising the way it works to deliver further efficiencies. The move represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the Department’s history, but it should be a seamless transition and very much business as usual for members of the public.’
The Department’s new postal address is Department of Home Affairs Headquarters, Tromode Road, Douglas, IM2 5PA. Telephone numbers and email addresses will remain the same.
Photo - Minister Juan Watterson and Chief Executive Mark Kelly with staff at the new DHA headquarters at Tromode.
