Manx Newscast

It's hoped that the Isle of Man will start getting 5G network coverage from next year.

Telecommunications firm, Sure by Beyon made the announcement at a rebranding event in Douglas yesterday (23 October).

The Isle of Man has become the first crown dependency to be added to the radon risk map.

It shows what the chances are of having a high radon reading in a property in each 5km square of the Island.

Tracy Gooding is the Principal Radiation Protection Scientist at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

She's been telling Amy Griffiths more:

An MHK says the public needs more time to fully understand the impact the North and West Area Plan could have on the Manx countryside.

Douglas Central member Chris Thomas has told Manx Radio he'll be looking to delay the debate on the document until next month.

If approved, the plan would set out how to manage and guide development based on social, environmental and economic needs.

But Mr Thomas believes the plan would enable developers to favour building on greenfield land over disused brownfield sites, as he explained to Manx Radio's Sian Cowper:

The infrastructure minister says her department is working to create three new mobility-scooter friendly bus routes by the end of the year.

It follows work to install Kassel Kerbs, which allow step-free access onto buses, at 30 stops around the Island.

Currently, users of class 2 mobility scooters can apply for the right to use one service - troute 21 - which operates from the city centre to the outskirts of the capital.

On Mannin Line last month, Ramsey resident Eric Corkish, who has been campaigning to be able to take his scooter onto the Island's public transport network for the past six years, questioned Minister Michelle Haywood about when details of other routes will be made available - to which she replied 'in a couple of weeks or so'.

However, since then, Mr Corkish says he's been left questioning if he'd ever be able to get onboard after the minister told him she didn't have a specific date from which access would be permitted.

But Minister Michelle Haywood told Manx Radio that moment won't be in the too distant future:

The chief scientist of the Motor Neuron Disease Association says there is 'hope on the horizon' for finding ways to treat the condition.

Dr Brian Dickie has been giving a talk on the Island, and has been telling Amy Griffiths more:

The outgoing clerk at Braddan Commissioners says he believes local authority reform will only happen if Tynwald orders it. 

Colin Whiteway started at Braddan in 2007 as the successor to Buster Lewin and in that time has seen the board through litigation, the development of The Roundhouse and new social housing developments. 

He believes reform hasn't been brought forward by local authorities because they are 'resistant' to it and haven't thought about the benefits to residents and ratepayers.

Mr Whiteway added that he hopes to leave the next clerk the 'opportunity' to expand and enjoy the position as well as 'improve' people's experiences of the commissioners. 

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him.

Treasury has extended a consultation looking at changes to the Island's Rating and Consultation Valuation Act 1953 until the end of the month. 

It was meant to close this week but has been extended by two weeks after impact assessments in the document were updated - something some local authorities asked for. 

Minister Alex Allinson has been speaking live on Manx Radio Breakfast.

A former MHK who has called for a referendum on net zero believes the proposal could help rekindle public interest in Manx politics.

Paul Quine’s suggestion is set to be brought before Tynwald in December by Middle member Stu Peters. 

A Douglas East MHK is calling for mandatory neurodiversity and inclusive practice training in education across the Isle of Man.

At this month's Tynwald sitting, Joney Faragher will table a motion calling for such training to be 'embedded into core provision'.

It's based on a petition for redress presented at this year's Tynwald Day ceremony - which was signed by 28 parents.

Ms Faragher told Siobhán Fletcher more

With a General Election looming, a MONEYVAL visit ahead, and mounting pressures on the economy and housing, the Isle of Man faces a defining year.

In this episode, Christian Jones and Alistair Ramsay unpacks the key themes from the recent IoD Isle of Man event - from economic confidence to long-term vision - and ask what kind of Island we want to be beyond 2026.