Manx Newscast

A Ramsey Commissioner says residents of the town must make their voices heard about the Department of Infrastructures plans for new flood defences. 

Next Monday (24 November) the DoI is holding drop-in sessions for people to look at the plans and provide feedback - this is taking place at the town hall during its usual opening hours. 

The department previously submitted plans in 2021 which could've seen the removal of 50 parking spaces as well as a concrete wall and new pavements. 

Juan McGuinness says the town is under 'threat' of tidal flooding and believes that the defences need to be in place to protect homes and businesses on the quayside.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him.

"Every child deserves the right to an education."

Those are the words of a Manx mum, after politicians backed her Tynwald Day petition to implement neurodiversity training across all the Island's schools.

Last month, Tynwald unanimously supported a motion committing to making adaptive and inclusive practice a core part of teacher training.

The Department of Education must now return to the court with a phased timeline for implementation by February next year.

Nichola Whitlam-Beckett, whose petition was the basis of the motion, has been sharing her reaction with Amy Griffiths:

A Douglas Central MHK is calling on his fellow Tynwald members to back his call for a new select committee to be formed.

Chris Thomas wants a review of the suitability of frameworks for the Island's financial services and eGaming sectors.

A Manx farmer says the sector 'needs to come together and find a solution' following the announcement that Milan Vets will no longer carry out farm veterinary services.

The practice says it will no longer be able to treat livestock from the end of the month, citing a long-term decline in the number of farm clients.

Milan Vets is owned by Independent Vetcare Limited, a large veterinary group that operates many practices across the British Isles, and it's been suggested that the decision to withdraw these services has been made off-Island.

In this edition of Newscast with Lewis Foster, Manx Radio Countryside presenter Kirree Kermode - from Orrisdale Farm in Ballasalla - says it's a worrying time for the sector.

Students on their way to becoming qualified counsellors have spoken of the benefits of being able to complete their studies on-Island.

The organisation Brighter Teaching brought its training services to the Isle of Man in 2023, allowing people to achieve their Level 5 diplomas without having to leave and study in the UK.

It offers a range of Ofqual-registered specialist courses for therapies such as; trauma, couples, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and children and adolescence.

In this edition of Newscast, Lewis Foster speaks to Elisha Gilbertson and Susie Lyons who are part of the first cohort of students who have been working hard to gain their qualifications.

The Derbyhaven Residents' Society says it welcomes the findings from the Tynwald Commissioner for Administration regarding the handling of a complaint over the former Castletown Golf Links Hotel. 

A report by the ombudsman found that maladministration had occurred when Malew Commissioners was dealing with a request to serve a demolition notice on the building - which the society describes as an 'embarrassing eyesore'. 

The document is due to be laid before Tynwald next week, and the group is asking members to consider whether local authorities should have the power to demolish derelict and dilapidated properties.

Shaun Murphy, a member of the resident's society, says the report 'shines a light' on what powers local authorities have and when they should be used 'appropriately'.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him.

What is an adaptive classroom?

Scoill Yn Jubilee Juniors in Douglas is the first to pilot the project.

Christian Jones speaks to to Brendon Kenny from Ellanstone and Paul Murphy from Werk Solutions about what it means in practice.

How can design, psychology, and community insight shape better learning spaces for children, and could it influence the future of education?

Public sector workers could see an increase in the level of pensions provided by government.

Tynwald members will be asked to approve changes to its schemes in December's sitting.

The amendments being proposed by the Public Sector Pensions Authority's (PSPA) would see an increase in the benefits of the members' contributions rather than a reduction of the contributions themselves.

Chief Executive of the PSPA, Kathryn Brondon, and Chair Jerry Carter have been speaking to Amy Griffiths:

A Douglas East MHK says Treasury isn't going far enough to deal with dilapidated properties and derelict buildings on the Island. 

Joney Faragher is introducing a motion to Tynwald later this month which aims to give local authorities the power to impose charges on the owners of these sites. 

It also adds that any off-Island owners of domestic property should face additional charges on that property.

Treasury has been consulting residents and local authorities about removing exemptions for derelict properties, introducing caps on the quarry rate as well as looking into rebate schemes.  

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to Ms Faragher.

An independent report has found that the current health and social care model in the Isle of Man 'is not operating as well as originally intended' following the establishment of Manx Care.

Four options are on the table to improve things - including scrapping the body altogether.

We speak to the Department of Health and Social Care's Interim Chief Officer, Professor Tim O'Neill about what it all means.