A RECENT programme to recruit more dentists to the island will see candidates being interviewed later this month.

Health Minister David Anderson said progress was being made in reducing waiting lists for NHS dentists. The problem, he said, was a reflection of the situation in the UK where there had been a failure to train the necessary numbers of dentists.

Mr Anderson said: ‘The Department has worked diligently to try and resolve the recruitment difficulties facing the Island’s Salaried Dental Service.

‘It is hoped the most recent recruitment campaign will help alleviate the problem and restore capacity in the system for routine check-ups.

‘In the meantime however, by having negotiated additional working hours with the dental practitioners, the Department will be able to commence offering routine check-ups in the near future.

‘I welcome these developments which are clearly steps in the right direction; and I would like to thank the public for their patience whilst the Department continues its work to address the difficult issues of recruitment in what is a very competitive job market.’

The shortage of dentists resulted in the suspension of routine check-ups in mid-January. New plans are now in place for existing staff to work extended hours. The additional sessions will be reserved for patients who have requested check-up appointments, with priority being given to those patients who have waited longest.

Staff will be in touch with patients individually, to make an appointment and for those who require any follow up treatment.

Last October everyone on the NHS dental waiting list at that time was invited for a dental check up with a dentist at the Community Health Centre Dental Clinic in Douglas. This was completed in late February and the purpose was to decide patients’ priority for treatment. It also gave up-to-date information on the number of people still wanting an NHS dentist, where in some instances people had opted for private treatment.

Urgent cases were then allocated an NHS dentist, or will receive one soon, and receive treatment.

Options available to allocate a dentist to those patients needing non-urgent treatment and those who currently need no treatment are currently being considered.

In the meantime, three locum dentists are being employed by the department to address the backlog of patients.

THE Manx Budget has come in for praise from our rival Crown Dependency and finance centre, Jersey.

Writing a blog on the Jersey Evening Post’s site, journalist Peter Body seems to be impressed with Treasury Minister Eddie Teare’s latest work.

{http://www.thisisjersey.com/news/comment/2013/02/28/anything-we-can-do-the-isle-of-man-can-do-better|Click this link to go to the story on the ‘This is Jersey‘ website}.

Should we forge tighter links with Jersey? Cast your vote in our webpoll at the right of this story.

A FULL day of activity marked International Women’s Day at Isle of Man College in Douglas on Thursday, with students learning about issues such as health and equality.

The official International Women’s Day – which was been marked around the world since 1977 – was actually on Friday, but organisers at the Douglas college opted to take advantage of the generally busier Thursday to reach as many students as possible.

After International Men’s Day at the college in November, it was the turn of the girls to be celebrated and treated.

Beauty therapists were on hand to give out treatments for £2, with money going to women’s charities, and Hanly’s convenience store staff whipped up candy floss to raise money for the island’s women’s refuge centre.

Public Health staff held Zumba exercise classes and a skipping workshop, while recently opened women-only gym Warehouse Fitness gave away free memberships.

There were stands from the Well Women’s Clinic at Noble’s Hospital, where staff educated women on cervical cancer, protecting themselves and sexual behaviour.

The students were also engaged in a debate on gender equality. Co-organiser Kate Bergquist, who works at both the college and at Warehouse Fitness, said despite the serious issues being covered, the day proved to be lots of fun too.

She added: ‘Being around young people becoming adults, you learn that these girls know their own minds, and their roles in the community.’

Monday, March 11

Aries

(March 21 - April 20)

With the energy of Mars charging through your sign this week, it is all systems go! At last you are able to move on with a plan or project that has been slow to get going. With a lot of enthusiasm, it is easy to inspire others and get the help that you need. When moving at this pace, it is important to look after your health and wellbeing. Family bring unexpected laughter at the weekend.

Taurus

(April 21 - May 21)

The New Moon as this week begins shines a brilliant light on your social life. Busy as you are at work, keep alive contacts that make you smile. It is this light-hearted approach that gives you the right life balance. Taking care of your health is important and, if you share the weekend with loved ones, laughter and fun are guaranteed. Young relatives remind you of what is important.

Gemini

(May 22 - June 21)

The spotlight is on business matters this week. If that sounds boring, then it is not! Indeed, mixing social life with work shows what fun elements there can be. Show what you are capable of and don’t be shy about putting forward ideas. A romantic situation may be moving slowly but be reassured. This will really pick up speed soon! Just be at your best for the weekend and you will see.

Cancer

(June 22 - July 23)

Mars dashes through your week bringing with it change and innovation. New technology may at first seem unnecessary, but give it a chance. Saving time also means saving money in the longer term. A lighter side of your nature is brought out midweek as the opportunity for fun arises. Oh, I am sure that you can think of more serious things to do but, please, be open to what is on offer.

Leo

(July 24 - August 23)

The New Moon gives finances a boost this week. Even so, look for the small print on documents. Save rather than borrow if possible. Mars is giving you more energy to get things done in better time. That should go down well with family, some of whom may live far away from you. Using technology to stay in touch saves you both time and money, especially when travel is so expensive.

Virgo

(August 24 - September 23)

Your romantic life will flow rather than bump along this week. A question mark that was over a relationship will now be answered. Although you have mixed feelings, time will make everything much clearer. Don’t be rushed into any decisions, especially of a financial nature. After-work socialising can improve your status with colleagues. They get to know what an asset you are!

Libra

(September 24 - October 23)

Making just a little bit more of an effort at work can bring you the right kind of attention. If you are courting promotion, be sure to keep social ties with colleagues running smoothly. You may not want to share all that you are thinking this week, but don’t appear to be hiding something. At the weekend there is the chance to progress a romantic liaison. Show energy.

Scorpio

(October 24 - November 22)

Romance is all around you this week. This is in part due to the New Moon that kicks it off. Exciting relationships and unexpected meetings keep your mind sparking. Although you still need to be careful with money, a glimmer of things to come is encouraging. Look after your health in this busy time. Stored energy is worth its weight in gold when you need it.

Sagittarius

(November 23 - December 21)

Friends and relatives boost your home life and mood this week. An early spring clean or redecoration is both fun and inspiring. Enrolling a loved one in the everyday tasks brings you closer together. Learning more about each other will boost understanding. Planning a holiday? Save where you can. It is who you are with that is important, not how much you spend.

Capricorn

(December 22 - January 20)

This is a week in which you learn how others think. Certainly an inquisitive mind will get you everywhere! Loved ones may, at times, think that you are a mind reader. What they do not understand is your acute powers of observation. A meeting midweek will show its worth next week. At this time you realise that someone is working hard for your progress.

Aquarius

(January 21 - February 19)

This week’s New Moon could bring a cash bonus. Be prepared to make a bit of extra effort at work to get many more rewards. Enthusiasm for a certain plan may have dropped recently. Perhaps midweek is the time to revisit it again? Never say ‘never’ when you have such good aspects working for you. Declining an offer at the weekend could see a better one come your way.

Pisces

(February 20 - March 20)

An important light is shed on your long-term plans this week. The New Moon is trying to guide you forward. It is asking you to think where you would like to be in one year’s time. Start making moves now to get there. Drifting along is no longer acceptable. There are so many chances to thrive coming your way. Now is a grant time to make your feelings known to your partner or prospective partner.

AN MHK is proposing that Tynwald should shut its members’ pension scheme after the next general election.

Today’s Isle of Man Examiner has more details about Kate Beecroft’s motion to this month’s Tynwald - and reaction from the Treasury Minister.

The paper also reports that Manx Meats has stopped selling its products to Tesco, just weeks after Tesco started selling its products again.

The chief constable has been talking about the problems his force is facing because of budget cuts. That’s the main story on page 3.

Page 4 looks at the bus dispute again. Tynwald approved £2.7m for new buses at the budget. We take a closer look at the figures.

On the same page, there’s a dramatic photo of a car crash on Saturday afternoon.

The Examiner has been covering the problems faced by Louis Group investors closely since we first revealed the problems. We have another update today.

The back page leads with St Mary’s win against Laxey and celebrates Danny McCanney’s Enduro win.

The Examiner is in the shops now.

THE Mountain Road has reopened this morning after closing yesterday (Sunday) due to snowfall.

The Tholt-e-Will and Beinney Phott roads remain shut, however, and an announcement is expected to made on those routes later today.

iomtoday will bring you the latest details as they come to light.

ISLE OF Man Meats has suspended selling Manx meat at Tesco.

The decision comes just six weeks after the company received approval from Tesco to recommence sales following an 11 month absence of selling the local meat in the store.

Because of the small amount of Manx meat that Tesco is selling and the costs to prepare it and package it, the company decided to take Manx Meat off the shelves in Tesco to avoid a potential knock on increase in price of Manx meat to customers.

The Isle of Man Meats chief executive John Dawkins, said: ‘This is obviously very disappointing and a decision we have reached after very careful consideration.

‘However, the small volume of Manx meat that Tesco is selling, coupled with the substantial bespoke costs to prepare it , particularly in the administration and packaging associated with supplying to their exacting specification, means the situation is unsustainable for a small company such as ourselves.’

He added: ‘It is not acceptable to pass the additional costs generated by servicing the minimal volume required by Tesco on to our other customers, which as a “knock on” could increase the price of Manx Meat for all local consumers, something we are faced with doing if we are to ensure the long term commercial viability of the plant.’

Recently local retailer Shoprite announced that it is only stocking 100 per cent Manx red meat in their stores, Isle of Man Meats are very pleased with this news.

Mr Dawkins said: ‘Over the past year we have established a strong relationship with Shoprite and we look forward to working closely with them to jointly grow our sales of Manx meat with its high quality and transparent provenance.’

The company also reports that sales to local independent butchers remain strong.

THE island’s new Chief Constable has issued a stark warning about the possible impact of budget cuts on frontline police services.

In what could be seen as warning short across the bows to government, Gary Roberts said the Constabulary has lost 17 per cent of its budget since 2008/09 – and there was a danger that further budget cuts could hit either neighbourhood policing or the fight against organised crime.

‘Something has got to give,’ he said.

Mr Roberts made the comment as he unveiled ‘impressive’ figures for the seizure of drugs totalling nearly £500,000 over the last 12 months.

He told reporters at a press call held at the Sea Terminal that keeping the island safe was not just about policing at a neighbourhood level – and that there was a ‘real and growing’ threat from serious and organised crime, particularly from the drugs trade in Liverpool.

The Chief Constable said the Liverpool drugs gangs has changed their focus from supplying class A hard drugs like heroin and cocaine to Class B drugs, particularly cannabis – and this change of focus was believed to be linked to the lengthy sentences handed down by the Manx courts to traffickers in class A drugs.

He said that there was a perception that the force’s counterparts in the UK were not supporting the Manx constabulary in the fight against drugs but he insisted that nothing could be further from the truth – and significant seizures have been made at UK ports of drugs destined for the island.

In the past 12 months, 151.2g of heroin has been seized, with a street value of £15,128. The largest single seizure was 112 grams worth £11,200. Just under 30g of cocaine with a street value of £2,950 was seized as were 321 tablets of Ecstasy worth £1,605.

In comparison, the total weight of cannabis resin seized was 77,037.8g with a street value of £407,525.73 while the total weight of cannabis bush seized was 8,411.16g worth £59,867.04.

Last November, 69 nine ounce bars of cannabis were seized at Heysham port with a street value of £74,520 and only last month 56 nine ounce bars were seized worth £60,480.

Mr Roberts said: ‘We should be under no illusion. The very safety of our community and the quality of our way of life makes the island an attractive target for drug dealers.

‘Criminal organisations are actively seeking to establish a presence here. Keeping our island safe will therefore continue to require effective policing, both at neighbourhood and national levels.’

The constabulary’s budget has fallen from £15.8m to just under £14m – and a further 4 per cent cut is projected over the next three years. Staffing accounts for 90 per cent of the force’s budget.

MONTHS of hard work by students examining overseas charities work and the positive impact this is having will be revealed tonight (Monday).

The inter-schools One World Charity Challenge Final takes place at the Manx Museum in Douglas.

Students from the high schools and from the Isle of Man College as well as King William’s College will deliver a presentation of the work of a Manx-registered charity working overseas.

The final is a gala-style evening where a panel of judges decide how a grant pool of £10,000 will be distributed between the finalists and which team is the overall winner receiving the Francis Davidson Cup – the challenge being sponsored by the H&S Davidson Trust with support from the government’s International Development Committee.

The line-up for the final is as follows: Koru Hospital Fund, helps in Kenya (Ballakermeen High School), Action Saves Kids, helps in India (Castle Rushen High School), Malawi Mission Project (St Ninian’s High School), Namaste Children’s House, helps in Nepal (Queen Elizabeth II High School), Ro-Man-Aid, helps in Romania (King William’s College) and Pahar Trust, helps in Nepal (Isle of Man College).

The aim of the One World Charity Challenge is to give students the opportunity to speak out for people in the developing world, through creating a presentation examining the work of a charity and the impact it has had on a young person.

Students have had to do much of the research and preparation for their presentations in their own time, and doing so has benefited them with a deeper understanding of the role the charity plays in the developing world.

Teams of students from the schools and colleges got involved in the challenge and learned about Manx charities working overseas as well as smaller UK registered charities which have received support from the Manx government’s International Development Committee. After selecting a charity, students worked on producing their presentations.

Recently, the schools and colleges held their own internal finals to decide which team represents them at the finals.

16-year-old Katie Holmes – from Castle Rushen High School’s team representing Action Save Kids – said: ‘We liked what they [Action Save Kids] stood for – empowerment of women and giving children a right to education,’

She added that with time spent researching the charity she has come to ‘believe more and more about what it stands for and to believe in their message’.

Students were encouraged to use imagery and deliver presentations that reflect the country’s culture, history music and art as well as show the wider development issues faced.

Judging criteria asks for presentations that give a clear statement about the work of the charity, the results and outputs, and the benefits it delivers; why they selected their chosen charity, and the students knowledge and perception of its effectiveness; analysis of how the charity has helped build self-reliance and changed the life of a young person; insight into some of the development issues that young people face, and how the Millennium Development Goals seek to eradicate these issues; understanding of other cultures; the group’s teamwork and the delivery of an interesting, lively, and creative interpretation that sensitively depicts the life of a young person in the developing world.

For more information about the challenge visit the website {http://www.oneworldcharitychallenge.com.oneworldcharitychallenge.com}

MONTHS of misery for motorists has begun today as one of the biggest roadworks schemes seen in the island in recent years gets underway.

But the disruption caused by the £4.3 million scheme to reconstruct the switchback Peel Road will be four weeks less than feared - down from 80 weeks to 76.

Highways chiefs have announced that the first phase of the project, involving the closure of Pulrose Road for bridge strengthening and junction improvement works, has been reduced from the predicted nine weeks to five weeks following an engineering review – and a request by Infrastructure Minister David Cretney MHK.

This phase of the Peel Road scheme will see the bridge strengthened using concrete.

To speed up the works, additional concrete formwork equipment has been sourced so that several concrete pours can be done at the same time instead of one after the other.

Improvements are also being made to the Pulrose Road-Peel Road junction, with the radius eases to accommodate larger vehicles. The size of the team working on this key junction has also been increased to speed up the works.

During the Pulrose Road closure a pedestrian route will be maintained. There will be changes to bus services with all journeys on routes 1, 2, 4A, 4B, 11, 12, 12A diverting via Quarter Bridge between Peel Road and Spring Valley and therefore will not serve the National Sports Centre.

Services 21, 21A, 21B from Douglas will divert via Quarter Bridge and Groves Road to serve the NSC but journeys departing Anagh Coar will divert from Spring Valley via Quarter Bridge to Peel Road and will therefore not serve the NSC. Diverted buses serve all stops en-route.

This work will allow Pulrose Road and Groves Road to be used as a diversion route for westbound traffic while the major works are carried out on Peel Road. Once the work on Pulrose Road is complete the main work on Peel Road will start and is due to last 62 weeks.

During this time there will be a one-way system into Douglas on the Quarter Bridge to Pulrose Road section while the section between Pulrose Road and Circular Road will still have two way traffic, one lane in each direction.

During the works the car park next to the Quarterbridge pub will become the site compound.

There will be alternative parking for pub patrons in the car park between the pub and the NSC entrance on New Castletown Road.

Patients and staff of the Hyperbaric Chamber are also asked to park in this car park, with a shuttle bus service operating daily, 7am to 3.30pm.

A SHIPPING firm has dropped its legal challenge over the use of the linkspan at Douglas harbour.

Seaside Shipping issued a Petition of Doleance in September 2007 which sought to challenge, among other things, the 1995 user agreement between the Department of Transport (now the Department of Infrastructure) and the Steam Packet Company.

Seaside Shipping Ltd planned to operate a roll-on, roll-off passenger and freight service between Douglas and the UK. In 2009 it won an appeal over a high court decision to strike out the petition.

But the petition has now been withdrawn with Seaside Shipping paying towards the legal costs of the other parties. Terms of the settlement cannot be disclosed. The department said it was pleased the long-standing issue has been resolved.

LONGER life expectancy as well as better, but more costly treatments for a wide range of ailments are placing an ever increasing burden on the island’s health budget.

That is the view of the government’s Health Minister David Anderson who said that despite a budgetary increase of two and a half per cent for 2013 to 2014, developments in health care such as new drugs and treatments as well as inflation meant budgets remain tight.

‘The Isle of Man, like the UK, is practically unique in providing a completely state-run health service. Even similar jurisdictions such as Guernesy and Jersey operate a notably different system from that found here and in the UK,’ he said.

He added a report in the medical journal the Lancet had recently highlighted there that despite a three-fold increase in NHS spending cost-cutting measures were still essential.

Wholesale change to the island’s state-funded health care system was not necessarily the answer, but he said options such as the amount charged for some services and also the scope of some services would have to be looked at.

Since a review started of the island’s health services in 2006 £8m has been saved by a variety of means, including £2 on staffing costs and drugs prescribed. Savings of £200,000 have been made on energy costs and other staffing reductions have saved £350,000, for example.

Problems in patients’ lifestyle such as smoking and obesity also need to be tackled as a preventative measure to save future costs on the health service as those patients grow older.

‘It is known that such people will need a greater number of medical interventions as they grow older,’ Mr Anderson said.

The total number of patients referred to the hospital grew by five per cent between April 2010 and September 2012. Pathology has seen an increase of 6,000 tests to be completed between 2010 and 2011 and radiology saw an increase in procedures from 55,332 to 68,618 in 2012. The self-referral system for physiotherapy introduced last year has seen a 69 per cent increase in capacity and eliminated the waiting list.

‘The public can be assured we will continue to do all we can to maintain an effective state-funded NHS,’ Mr Anderson said.

THERE is growing concern for the safety of the crew of an unseaworthy tug that has gone missing, just weeks after it set sail from Manx waters.

Detention notices were served on ex-Admiralty vessel Juliette Pride II, and its sister ship Juliette Pride I, preventing them from setting sail from Newlyn, Cornwall.

Both Tanzanian-flagged vessels were deemed unsafe following an inspection by Coastguard surveyors who found numerous defects and deficiencies, many relating to safety equipment.

But in the early hours of Sunday, March 3, both boats jumped detention.

They are believed to be heading for Lagos, Nigeria, where their new owner Prince Akoto is based. But neither vessel has been spotted since – sparking fears about the crew’s safety.

Five Georgian crew members of the Juliette Pride II were stranded in the island for months after the boat arriving here in mid-December, having encountered engine problems.

With the seamen running desperately low on food and money, the Salvation Army stepped in to provide food parcels.

Negotiations conducted via harbour officials subsequently resulted in the mariners receiving their unpaid wages totalling $35,000 and air fares home to Georgia. Before they left, they thanked the Manx authorities for all their help.

The vessel, with a Ghanaian replacement crew, set sail last month on the next leg of its passage to Nigeria, only to be impounded on its arrival at Newlyn where it had rejoined its sister vessel.

Jo Rawlings, of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), said: ‘Following inspections, we issued detention notices on the Juliette Pride 1 and 2, preventing them from setting sail. These notices are issued when vessels are deemed unsafe.

‘In the early hours of Sunday, March 3, both vessels jumped detention from Newlyn harbour. We are now looking into this matter. We issue detention notices for a reason. We only do this if we are really concerned. We deemed them to be unsafe – certainly not safe enough to set sail. There is an obvious concern that wherever they are heading, they may not make it in one piece. It’s not looking too hopeful we are able to track them down, especially if they’ve left UK waters and gone into international waters – we don’t have the power to bring them back.’

Coastguard officials believe on-board tracking equipment may have been deliberately disabled.

AN opposition MHK is calling for the existing Tynwald members’ pension scheme to be closed after the general election.

But Liberal Vannin MHK Kate Beecroft’s proposal has been dismissed as ‘political posturing’ by Treasury Minister Eddie Teare.

Meanwhile, Tynwald members will no longer be able to claim mileage expenses for travelling from home to the Legislative Buildings.

The proposals, which will also see the higher mileage rate scrapped for bigger engine size vehicles, are expected to save £77,000 a year and will come into effect from April 1 if an order is approved by Tynwald next week.

Douglas South MHK Mrs Beecroft has tabled a motion to this month’s Tynwald sitting calling for the current Tynwald members’ pension scheme to be closed with effect from the next general election and for the emoluments committee to prepare details of a replacement money purchase scheme.

Tynwald pensions have rarely been out of the headlines.

In October last year, the Examiner revealed that four members were not contributing to their pensions. A 3 per cent voluntary contribution was introduced in March last year, which will rise to 4 per cent next month and to 5 per cent by April 2014. All MHKs subsequently said they had agreed to pay up.

Mrs Beecroft said: ‘A lot of MHKs are saying the old public sector pension scheme should be closed to new members on the basis that it’s not fair and divisive. We should be leading by example and do it first. Under a money purchase scheme you don’t get out what you don’t put in. You’re not building up a liability.’

But Mr Teare said: ‘This is just political posturing and nothing more.

‘It will be interesting to hear the debate. But Mrs Beecroft has not consulted me for a start. She has no figures from Treasury.’

The Treasury Minister pointed out members were on a fixed five-year contract and insisted they were not paid ‘that much for the responsibilities involved’. ‘I’m responsible for a £1bn a year budget. But I don’t do the job for the money – I do it for the community.’

Mrs Beecroft said that while the new unified public sector scheme had only recently been implemented, it should be closed to new entrants if it is to be made sustainable.

Mr Teare said a commitment had been made to the civil service unions to keep the existing terms and conditions in place for two years but he did not rule out a review in future.

A call to scrap on-island mileage expenses was made five years ago by David Cretney, the then Trade and Industry Minister and now Infrastructure Minister, following concerns about the size of claims made by some members for travelling from their home to the office.

Former Rushen MHK Quintin Gill, ousted at the last general election, was widely criticised in 2009 when he topped the table for claiming members’ mileage expenses.

He was paid £4,009.82 for the financial year 2008-09, more than 30 per cent of the total paid out to members – and argued that this was justified as his place of work was his constituency home in Rushen.

A review was subsequently carried out by the Tynwald emoluments committee which rejected Mr Cretney’s proposal but recommended that mileage allowance claims by Tynwald members should be made public on a regular basis.

Some 15 Tynwald members claimed mileage allowance in 2006-07 but that number had fallen to just seven in 2008-09. Since the last general election, just two members have claimed on-island travel expenses – Eddie Lowey MLC, who has now retired, claimed £1,747 from October 2011 and Ramsey MHK Leonard Singer who has claimed £1,524 since October 2011, but has not claimed anything since July last year.

Mr Teare said the change to travel expenses was all about ‘fairness’.

He explained: ‘Most people don’t get paid to travel from home to work. Civil servants don’t get paid to travel from home to work. Members’ salaries are tried by analogy to the civil service. Why should Tynwald members be paid to travel from home to their normal place of business in the legislative buildings?’

A LEADING figure in the financial community has confirmed his bank’s commitment to continuing to help with the island’s growth story.

Trevor Kirk, head of corporate banking for Lloyds TSB in the island said he was seeing ‘significantly improved’ lending figures.

He was speaking at the end of the quarterly Lloyds TSB Business Breakfast at which Treasury Minister Eddie Teare discussed the finer points of the 2013 Budget Report.

Closing the morning proceedings Mr Kirk confirmed Lloyds TSB’s commitment to continuing to help with the Isle of Man’s growth story and said: ‘The message I would really like you all to go home with today is that not only will we remain very attentive from a personal and corporate service perspective but we have also experienced the same tribulations as many here today.

‘But not only are we seeing significantly improved figures for lending, we are also seeing improvements in personal savings and stability.

‘We have always been a community bank and very much understand our role in helping economic growth throughout the UK and British Isles and in repairing of the situation in which we all find ourselves.’

Close to 100 key representatives of Lloyds TSB, Government figures and local business leaders gathered at The Claremont’s Sanderson Suite to enjoy an opening presentation by Minister Teare followed by an open-forum question and answer session which tackled issues as diverse as corporate taxation, the public sector deficit, scope of Government and potential threats to the Island’s significant insurance sector.

Having expressed his thanks to the Minister for his attendance, Mr Kirk first expressed his approval of Government’s plans to introduce an additional tax upon larger retailers before emphasising the need to consider the island’s relatively small population when facing issues such as subsidisation and privatisation.

A brief allusion to the island’s international relations followed after which Mr Kirk remarked that the answer to sustaining the island’s economic stability lies in maintaining both internal and external confidence while identifying deficiencies in spending, enhancing the island’s profile overseas, and aiding the growth and traction of new businesses locally.

Mr Kirk also welcomed confirmation that the island is well on track in terms of timing the transitional periods surrounding international information sharing agreements such as FATCA and the UK equivalent, after which he introduced the morning’s presentation as consisting of an update on public finances, progress on Government’s rebalancing plan, an overview of tax and NI, and a summary of impacts upon services.

Minister Mr Teare noted in particular a 3 per cent rate of growth in real terms as well as ongoing stability in banking deposits and the rate of inflation, at 2.5 per cent.

He continued with reference to domestic employment figures, which are currently at a record level of 48,000 persons (up 1,000 in the past two years), before emphasising a significant increase in the number of self employed persons over the past two years, at an additional 300 individuals.

Similarly, a 35 per cent increase in VAT registrations signified a marked increase in economic activity, a figure which is particularly pertinent given the Department of Economic Development’s recent emphasis upon economic diversification over recent years.

EVIDENCE will be heard about the Isle of Man’s Open Skies Policy this week.

The Economic Committee, a Standing Committee of Tynwald, will be taking oral evidence on Wednesday, March 13, at 2.30pm in the Legislative Council Chamber, Legislative Buildings, Buck’s Road, Douglas.

First up will be Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK at 2.30pm followed by the government’s chief secretary Will Greenhow on ‘general issues’.

Afterwards the committee will hear evidence about the Open Skies policy from the Minister for Infrastructure David Cretney MHK and from the chief executive of the Department of Economic Development, Ian Thompson.

Mr Cretney is due to give his evidence at 3.30pm.

Mr Cretney and Mr Thompson will be followed by Economic Development Minister John Shimmin MHK and the chief executive of the Department of Economic Development, Chris Corlett.

Evidence is given in public and members of the public are welcome to attend.

A call was made in Tynwald last October by Speaker Steve Rodan for light

touch regulation in order to protect the island’s air services.

Mr Rodan asked for the economic policy review committee to examine whether the Open Skies policy – which allow airlines free access to fly routes to and from Ronaldsway – still serves the best interests of the Isle of Man.

He also argued that it should be for the Department of Economic Development to detemine the island’s civil aviation policy.

He suggested the Open Skies approach can allow an airline to take on an established route for just a few busy lucrative months, take the profits off that busy route and leave the existing all-year-round carrier in severe difficulties.

THE senior government official in charge of the island’s public transport network has defended his department’s policy on replacing buses.

When Tynwald approved the Budget last month, it also approved a capital programme that includes £2.7 million to buy replacement buses in the coming year.

Bus Vannin bosses are pressing for the introduction of bendy buses as they say they will save £300,000 a year in revenue – mainly staffing – costs but will also save £3 million on the cost of replacing ‘ageing’ double deckers.

But they have already come under fire for selling off double deckers to Blackpool.

The articulated buses currently being tested for the suitability for use on Manx roads are leased for the duration of the month-long trial.

Bus Vannin has been offered a demonstrator from Mercedes that it is intending to purchase ‘as it should be available at a significant discount on the new price’, confirmed Department of Community, Culture and Leisure chief executive Nick Black.

But he insisted no other buses have been purchased since the last batch of single deckers a year ago.

Mr Black said Bus Vannin had been replacing buses on a regular basis for many years - and new vehicles will be much more fuel efficient.

He said the actual number of buses to be purchased will depend on the prices and on whether articulated buses are going to be introduced.

Mr Black said the total number of buses in the fleet had been reduced by 20 in the last four years and this reflected ‘not only improved scheduling but also the benefit of improving the overall quality of the fleet’.

He said: ‘By increasing the quality we have improved reliability which means that we need less “spare” vehicles to cover time when vehicles are off the road for repair.

‘This has allowed us to make staff savings in the workshop too.

‘The new buses are much more fuel efficient - one of the old buses will do less than 5mpg; the new ones do almost 9mpg.

‘With our mileage, that makes for massive savings - in the order of £75k per annum, depending on the cost of diesel.’

He added: ‘Any business needs to invest capital to operate. DCCL cannot decide to use capital money for revenue purposes, such as wages or fuel costs. We have to provide a business case for capital spend - when it comes to buses we submit cases based on the operating costs and an overall replacement strategy.’

He said the annual budget funds the cost of replacing vehicles though the decision about disposal is based more on condition than on age.

Mr Black added: ‘The proposal outlined for the articulated buses is based on comparing the cost of 16 double deckers against eight articulated buses. The cost is a matter of our business case and the available capital resources.’ In 2011-12, 11 of the oldest double deckers in the fleet were sold for £20,000 each to Blackpool Transport.DCCL Minister Graham Cregeen told Tynwald in April last year the buses were 12 years old and each needed at least £20,000 to £25,000 spending on them to bring them up to acceptable bodywork standard.

A WEBSITE has been launched with the stated aim of uncovering the truth behind the collapse of island-based companies linked to the Louis Group.

The anonymous creators behind ‘Louis Group Public’ describe the blog as a ‘public interest initiative’.

It provides a link to a series of documents relating to the Louis Group in the Isle of Man, South Africa, the UK and Switzerland, including high court judgments, bankruptcy notices and reports from the financial press. There are also links to articles from Isle of Man Newspapers about the plight of investors.

Island-based investors in the Louis Group fear they will never see their money again after the fund, promoted as ‘low risk,’ was suspended, unable to pay its multimillion-pound debts.

At Douglas High Court in January, Deemster David Doyle ordered the winding up of Louis Group Structured Fund PLC and five related companies – Louis Group (IOM) Limited, Louis Group Structured Capital Limited, Louis Group International (Europe) Limited, LG SP Investments Ltd and Louis Group SLN Limited.

Deemster Doyle said it was only by the winding up of the companies that the ‘real truth’ about the affairs of these companies could be established.

Manx financial watchdog the Financial Supervision Commission first had concerns in the autumn of 2010 following information received from the company’s board. The FSC had been urged by liquidators to press for the winding up of the Louis Group Structured Fund in the interests of investors and the Manx public.

Some 50 Louis Group investors attended a creditors’ meeting at the Villa Marina last month.

Authors of ‘Louis Group Public’, which goes under the banner ‘Collating Facts to Uncover the Truth’, insist they have no association with any Louis Group entity.

They add: ‘If you are aware of public information regarding the Louis Group that could be added to this blog, email us. All submissions will be treated in the strictest confidence.’

Among the documents listed is a statement from February 26 this year by Dr Alan Louis, CEO of the Louis Group, who confirms an application has been brought before the Cape High Court in South Africa to place five Louis Group associated companies under business rescue.

‘The jobs of staff employed by the group are not at risk and neither the interests of investors. The Louis family is convinced that the group will emerge more robust as a result of this proactive step,’ he states.

You can access the website at {http://www.louisgrouppublic.com.louisgrouppublic.com} or email the authors at {mailto:info@louisgrouppublic.com|info(at)louisgrouppublic.com}

BUSHY’S will enlist the services of bungee jump company Extreme Sensations for the beer tent site during TT week, and are hoping that people will take the opportunity to raise money for charities.

The 180 foot crane will be installed and ready for action on May 31, and will run until Senior Race Day.

Thrill seekers can pay £50 for the privilege of riding the crane cage to the top, suspended over the sea at Loch Promenade, and make the impressive leap. Second jumps will cost £30, and a third will cost £15.

Extreme Sensations’ director Jonny Sims was in the island to meet Bushy’s Brewery boss Martin Brunnschweiler.

‘You’d be surprised who goes up to jump, it’s quite extraordinary,’ said Mr Sims, on the fact that timid-looking mums often hold their nerve better than their brash teenaged sons.

He stressed his company has a 100 per cent safety record over its 23 years in business.

Individuals or groups interested in sponsored jumps should contact {mailto:martin@bushys.com|martin(at)bushys.com}, while the ‘Toss Your Boss’ initiative has proved popular elsewhere, where companies sponsor their boss to jump, who can only opt out if they promise to double the money raised.

The bungee will open from lunch time to around 8 or 9pm each night. The minimum age is 14, and under 16s need a parent or guardian present.

‘I think it will be a great think to stand and watch,’ said Mr Brunnschweiler. ‘And it’s probably worth pointing out that anyone who is worse for wear will not be allowed on!’

CONCERNS have again been raised about the amount of dog mess left on the streets of Peel.

Residents are fed up with dog walkers who leave their animals’ mess and therefore spoil the beauty and enjoyment of the town for others.

A group of residents turned up at Peel Town Commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday and voiced their concerns to commissioners in the recess, following the public part of the meeting.

Commissioners are contemplating having a public meeting about the matter, but it’s not known how valuable this would be as commissioners are well aware of the issue.

The commissioners employ a town warden who can issue fixed penalty fines to dog owners for not cleaning up after their dog.

But the board only has finite resources to plough into more measures to tackle the issue and instead are keen to work with the community of Peel to find a solution.

Commissioners’ chairman Eric Beale would welcome helpful suggestions about how to approach the problem.

Mr Beale pointed out that the problem of irresponsible dog owners not cleaning up after their pets is an island-wide one.

‘It boils down to education, but we just need assistance,’ he said. ‘The difficulty is that the money from the [town] rates can only go so far. We need help.’

He explained photos taken of adults not cleaning up after their dogs could be handed into the town hall, so the commissioners then have something tangible to work with while they decide their policy to tackle the problem.

Mr Beale said a concerted effort was needed to clean up the town.

At the recess of Tuesday commissioners’ meeting, Peel mum Sarah Faragher raised the dog mess matter and she was followed be another Peel resident who spoke about her desire to Keep Peel Tidy – similar to the Keep Britain Tidy campaign in the UK – and she brought home to everyone there how the town is a place of history, beauty and friendly people. However, she said there is a remnant of mindless dog owners who are having an impact on the impression people who live outside the town are getting.

The group of residents sought advice about what they can do and what support the commissioners, police or MHK can give.

Some suggestions raised by the group were that Peel Castle is made a dog-free zone; members of the public photograph and report offending dog walkers to the police each time; increase CCTV coverage (although this is not a possibility presently); stop and alert offending walkers – although this resulted in one person having an egg thrown at their house; finally, educate people in the town about the issue to keep the matter in people’s minds continually.

Inspector of the Western Neighbourhood Policing Team, Darrill Pearson said: ‘We have been made aware of the issue and my team will be supporting the efforts of the commissioners, who are looking to address the concern which impacts upon the quality of life of members of the community.’

• Free bags to clean up after dogs are available from the town hall in Derby Road.