Manx Newscast

The former infrastructure minister says there was a 'massive' amount of misinformation about what would've been clause five of the Local Government Amendment Bill.

Michelle Haywood, who was in charge at the time the clause was added to the bill, believes the ongoing debates around the clause were distracting from more important updates.

The clause could've seen functions imposed onto local authorities without any financial support from the government.

Dr Haywood says she doesn't see the clause being brought back anytime soon.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to her.

Today marks the end of Autism Acceptance Month, which takes place in April each year.

A loaded calendar of events has now come to a close, but some initiatives, such as businesses implementing 'quiet hours', will continue.

Pete Corkhill is a Safeguarding Practitioner for Health and sits on the Autism Spectrum Condition Strategy Steering Group.

He's been telling Siobhán Fletcher more.

The Department of Health and Social Care has outlined plans to introduce services that would allow for diagnosis and better support for neurodivergent people on the Island.

Currently there is no assessment route for ADHD or autism for adults not diagnosed in childhood.

So, what happens if you're told you need a diagnosis?

In this edition of Newscast, Douglas resident Mitzi Danielson-Kaslik tells Lewis Foster what led her to being diagnosed at 21, and the financial toll it's taken so far.

A mother whose campaign led to the UK government changing its laws on medicinal cannabis in 2018 is calling on governments across the British Isles to pilot allowing regulated recreational cannabis schemes.

Charlotte Caldwell's son Billy became the first patient in the UK to receive a medicinal cannabis prescription.

His case led to a change in law in the UK after customs officials confiscated a cannabis-based medication, resulting in him suffering a life-threatening seizure.

She's been visiting the Isle of Man this week as part of the TRACD campaign, with a view to setting up a pilot scheme here that she hopes would allow government to gather data, stop the illicit sale of cannabis and reduce harm.

She told Manx Radio about TRACD, but first explained more about Billy's story:

The chair of Castletown Commissioners says he is 'appalled' at the decision to sell the old police station.

Tony Brown believes that the current government has no policies in place to protect heritage assets and that it's 'neglecting' these properties across the Island.

The decision to sell the Bailie Scott building was agreed during Tynwald's April sitting with only three MHKs voting against the move.

Mr Brown says Manx National Heritage has been having 'consistent battles' with Treasury for funding allocated towards maintenance.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him:

The CEO of Manx charity Motiv8 has been speaking out about the 'hidden harm' caused to children and young people by a parents' substance misuse.

The charity's Family Service marks its ten year anniversary this month, having supported hundreds of adults and children in that time.

In this edition of Newscast, Lewis Foster speaks to Motiv8 CEO Thea Ozenturk.

An MHK believes making it legal to buy and use cannabis recreationally on the Isle of Man would reduce the harm caused by the drug.

Ramsey MHK Alex Allinson will ask Tynwald, at its May sitting, to set up a citizens’ jury to examine timelines and policies for a future regulated environment that would allow the sale of cannabis for recreational use.

Currently, some patients qualify for medicinal cannabis, but the drug remains a classified substance and is illegal to possess for other purposes.

Dr Allinson told Manx Radio why he believes it will reduce harm, and how the citizens' just would work:

A 15-year-old has started a petition calling for more funding for the Isle of Man Music Service.

River Kelly-Brown believes there should be an increase to allow all the Island’s children equal access to music and the Manx Youth Orchestra.

Uploading her petition to the internet last week, it's has now been signed by more than 300 people.

Alongside her mum, River has been speaking to Lewis Foster.

A new silent book club is offering people with busy lives a dedicated reading hour in 'peace and quiet'.

This evening (April 23), Douglas City Library is hosting the event from 6:45pm until 8pm to give residents 'uninterrupted' time to read their own book with refreshments.

Readers are able to bring a book in any format including audiobooks, e-readers, paperbacks, manga or comics.

It’s been arranged to coincide with World Book Night’s 'Reading Hour' project, and the library's official membership of the international Silent Book Club.

The club will then continue as a 'regular reading retreat' for users on the last Wednesday of every month from 6.30pm–8pm.

Deputy Librarian Sophie Goodwin and City Librarian Jan Macartney have been speaking to Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper.

This week the UK government confirmed it was 'unable to recommend' the Island's Assisted Dying Bill for Royal Assent.

The Ministry of Justice raised a number of concerns, seeking clarity to make sure the legislation complies with the European Convention on Human Rights.

But what has the reaction been to the news?

Amy Griffiths has been finding out.

Some of the interviews contain descriptions which some listeners may find distressing.