Agenda - Manx Radio

The debate that preceded the vote of no confidence into the Chief Minister raised a number of interesting points about the importance of the role. Some MHKs suggested that the policies of government would not change regardless of the person leading the Council of Ministers. Others felt that a change of Chief Minister was needed but seemed somewhat vague on why and indeed what a replacement might do differently. On Agenda this week former Douglas East MHK Chris Robertshaw considers the debate and explains what they should be talking about. Yes - more from Chairman Robertshaw’s little Green Book.

We’ve had some high octane politics over the past few weeks so Agenda takes a look at some of the less headline grabbing, calmer issues going through Keys and LegCo. Bill Henderson tells us about the Public Sector Payments Bill which “tidies up” some outdates legislation particularly relating to members expenses and Alex Allinson reveals what’s behind the Treasury (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. From the relatively obscure clause amending the 1928 Allotments Act to making it easier to increase fees its all considered on Agenda. And is the Treasury Minister really trying to pinch our pennies?

There’s been so much happening in Manx politics lately and with the vote of confidence in the Chief Minister taking place in the Keys tomorrow we have two interviews from October Tynwald on Agenda this week. One from the Chief Minister which explains his position on health and what he proposes to do about it. We also hear from Joney Faragher on why she resigned at the same time as the former health Minister. Better late than never on Agenda this week. Will the Chief Minister survive tomorrow’s vote? Who would you replace him with. Lots to consider.

In what appeared to be a relatively uninspiring Tynwald Order Paper one of the expected highlights was the Treasury Minister’s statement. As things turned out, Lawrie Hoopers resignation overshadowed everything else but Alex Allinson’s statement explained a lot, both in what he did and didn’t say. The temporary rise in the higher rate of income tax is looking more permanent than we’d been led to believe and the pension triple lock is likely to be removed, but there was some good news hinted at in the statement too. No give aways from Treasury but perhaps some jam tomorrow?

Agenda 14.10.24 - parking in Castletown and saving our town centres.

You’d wonder what all the fuss is about over closing off a few parking spaces in Castletown but it’s seen a couple of former town MHKs breaking cover on the subject. The latest of these is Richard Ronan who led the regeneration work in Castletown during his time as MHK. What was the thinking behind these regeneration schemes, have they worked, is government and Tynwald doing enough to try to bring vibrancy back to our struggling town centres. All this and more on Agenda - assuming I can find somewhere to park of course!

How do we manage waste across the Island, who’s responsible for recycling and why do some local authorities pay substantially more for their regional recycling centres than others? Is the current Rates system fair and if not why has Rates reform never been tackled? And while we’re discussing reform why do we still have such a disparate range of local authorities from very large to tiny? All these questions and more will be answered on this week’s Agenda. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about local government … and probably a bit more!

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been in post for just under two years now so what has she learned about local government in the Isle of Man? What is a local democracy reporter and why do we need one? Why does it take so long to get an answer from government, how does central government interact with local government and why do so few people vote in local elections given the important role played by your Commissioners and Councillors in making your community a great place to live and work. So what has local democracy ever done for us?

There was an interesting flare up in Tynwald over the appointment of two new directors  to the government owned Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. Some members were incensed by a particular line of questioning from Douglas Central MHK Chris Thomas and he was asked to withdraw what were described as disparaging remarks. Is it possible to question candidates’ suitability for certain roles in such a public forum, and if it isn’t then perhaps Tynwald’s role in the process is merely to rubber stamp decisions taken behind closed doors. Agenda considers whether legitimate debate was being stifled or were Chris Thomas’ comments beyond the pale.

The assisted dying Bill is due to be read a third time tomorrow in an extra Keys sitting and Agenda asks what’s the rush. We also ponder whether Tynwald and government are capable of delivering a bus station in Douglas, why developers need support to build luxury flats in Port Erin and why Tynwald rejected the opportunity to save money by allowing private member’s Bills to appear on the government consultation website. If you are struggling to understand government’s spending priorities then this week’s Agenda may well be able to help - mind you it might not and all.

Rushen MHK Michelle Haywood wants to progressively prevent new generations from being able to purchase tobacco products. Her private member’s Bill would in effect see the age at which you can buy tobacco products increase by a year each year until eventually nobody could buy them. With an estimated 25% of the health budget spent treating smoking relate illness this seems like an obvious thing to do. Will the health budget savings outweigh the lost tobacco tax income? Surely helping us lead longer healthier live must be a good thing?