A film quiz night marks the start of the Peel Centenary Centre’s fundraising bid for a digital projector.

The centre – keen to improve the facilities – recognises screenings of live concerts and sports events is fast becoming popular.

The event, on Saturday from 8pm, takes place with its in-house cinema Films in Peel. The quiz consists of watching two vintage films about the island, and questions will be asked later. A free hot dog/vegetarian sausage will be served in the interval.

Tickets (£5)available from Celtic Gold, Peel; Peter Norris Music, Douglas; Shakti Man, Ramsey; Thompson Travel, Port Erin or www.centenarycentre.com

Guest speaker Ron Garan will be a rare coup when he appears as guest speaker for an island-based space commerce organisation.

NASA bans its astronauts from giving speeches and talks but because Colonel Garan has now retired he is free to entertain the guests at the fund raising dinner for the International Institute of Space Commerce on Tuesday.

The institute’s company secretary and finance director John Sheath said: ‘This is a rare opportunity for the public to meet an astronaut and for him to speak as well. It is a great opportunity for the island, perhaps not once in a lifetime but certainly rare.

‘His background is quite amazing, test and fighter pilot, astronaut who has completed lots of trips, space walked, lots of neat things, and he’s coming here.’

The occasion is the inaugural annual fundraising dinner for the International Institute of Space Commerce on November 11 at the Claremont Hotel in Douglas when Colonel Garan will talk about his life.

During his career he spent more than 178 days in space and completed four spacewalks which took a total of over 27 hours. He flew on both the US space shuttle and the Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

As we have already reported he will also speak at the TEDxDouglas event at the Youth Arts Centre on Kensington Road on Monday.

For more information see www.iisc.im.

Ramsey based FPS Group have won the Best Umbrella Service Provider Award at the Payroll World Awards 2014 against stiff competition from across the UK.

FPS Group staff travelled from the Isle of Man to represent the company at the Payroll World Autumn Conference and the annual awards ceremony at London’s Grange St Paul’s Hotel.

FPS Group employs 81 staff, based from its offices in Ramsey and is a major contributor to the local economy of the North of the island.

FPS Group were shortlisted for the Best Umbrella Service Provider Award alongside tough competition from other umbrella company administrators.

When selecting FPS Group as winners, the judges highlighted ‘strong efficiency focus and proactive commitment to legislative compliance’ as well as ‘exceptional and dedicated customer service’.

They were deemed ‘worthy winners’ by the judges.

FPS Group are proud to take home the first Payroll World Award for Best Umbrella Service Provider.

Matthew Huddleston, managing director for FPS Group, sais: ‘That the Payroll World awards are judged by subject matter experts (including representatives from HMRC) and that this makes it particularly pleasing that FPS was chosen as the Best Umbrella Service Provider 2014.’

Mr Huddleston added: ‘It is hugely rewarding that we have won an award in this category which is the first time it has been featured, and in the run up to our 20th anniversary of providing umbrella company administration services to the UK recruitment industry.

‘The FPS team attending were overjoyed when we were confirmed as the winner and for me personally, it has been the highlight of the past 12 months since it recognises formally the exceptional work everybody within the company has put in.’

FPS Group is a trading name of Freelance Professional Service Limited.

Established in 1994, FPS Group are a licensed corporate services provider administering umbrella company solutions to the UK recruitment industry. Umbrella companies are employment vehicles used extensively throughout the UK temporary recruitment market.

They employ a contract worker whilst that individual works on assignment at multiple end clients.

Full UK PAYE deductions are operated on all of the worker’s remuneration. The worker benefits from continuity of employment, a single source of income / tax code and the ability to claim eligible business expenses.

The end client and recruitment agencies benefit from dealing with a company rather than an individual and knowing that the worker’s tax liabilities are being correctly accounted for.

As umbrella services are entirely UK focused, FPS Group do not utilise their Isle of Man location in order to gain tax advantage for their clients. Most of their competitors are UK based, and the business works hard to counter negativity in the UK regarding perceived (but entirely incorrect in the case of FPS Group) issues of ‘offshore tax avoidance’. Instead the group promotes extensively the significant advantages of being based on the island.

About FPS

Established in 1994, FPS Group are a licensed Corporate Services Provider administering umbrella company solutions to the UK recruitment industry. Umbrella companies are employment vehicles used extensively throughout the UK temporary recruitment market. They employ a contract worker whilst that individual works on assignment at multiple end clients. Full UK PAYE deductions are operated on all of the worker’s remuneration. The worker benefits from continuity of employment, a single source of income / tax code and the ability to claim eligible business expenses. The end client and recruitment agencies benefit from dealing with a company rather than an individual and knowing that the worker’s tax liabilities are being correctly accounted for.

As umbrella services are entirely UK focused, FPS Group do not utilise their Isle of Man location in order to gain tax advantage for their clients. Most of their competitors are UK based, and the business works hard to counter negativity in the UK regarding perceived (but entirely incorrect in the case of FPS Group) issues of ‘offshore tax avoidance’. Instead the group promotes extensively the significant advantages of being based on the island.

“The ease at which experienced and customer service focused administrators can be recruited is a fantastic advantage” says Operations Manager, Marita McElhinney. She continues “We also have a fantastic relationship with the Isle of Man VAT office, receiving first class support for our services.”

The group has been highly successful, reinvesting profits, growing organically and evolving to meet changing legislation. They remain a family business without third party borrowings, equity or influence. They are the only Government regulated UK umbrella company provider and firmly believe that compliance and security are of paramount importance.  

Join the Manx Wildlife Trust for an adventure in the Curraghs, in search of the elusive red-necked wallaby.

The Wallaby Walk takes place from the Wildlife Park car park on Saturday from 1pm to 3pm.

It costs £2 per person.

Places are limited to 15. The event is not suitable for children under the age of six. Participants are advised to wear sturdy footwear and outdoor clothing.

To book email Dawn at dawn@manxwt.org.uk

There are concerns about the impact of work in Castletown square on parking in town, said Kevin Weir at this week’s commissioners’ meeting, but he said up to 40 temporary on street spaces could be created.

The scheme (14/00373/B), approved last week, involves the creation of a plaza-style seating area on the castle side of the square and nine parking spaces will be retained on the other side of the square.

When an event is held and in the winter months, nine parking spaces in front of the castle will be reinstated

Mr Weir said he and town MHK Richard Ronan had identified 40 temporary parking spaces that could be used while work was being done.

He invited commissioners to see where they were and said it was ‘vital people knew (where the spaces were) when people asked’.

Mr Weir said the spaces would ‘alleviate or eradicate fears while the work is going on. There’s quite a bit we can do, we have to be proactive. Castletown will remain open throughout the work, we have got to make sure people know that.’

The authority is also creating new permanent spaces in car parks on Farrant’s Way and by the grammar school.

Chairman Richard McAleer said: ‘There’s a net gain. People still think we are losing car parking, we are not.’

Until there is confirmation that Tesco wants to try once more to open an Express store in Castletown, the authority will not discuss its stance on an alcohol licence.

Town commissioner Colin Leather raised the issue at this week’s meeting.

At their previous meeting on October 20, the authority considered an email from Callow’s Yard developer Roy Tilleard to commissioners’ chairman Richard McAleer asking for the board to support another alcohol licence application by Tesco at 17/19 Malew Street.
Mr Tilleard wrote Tesco’s store acquisitions director ‘has confirmed that the firm still wished to open the store at Callow’s Yard but that it was still dependent on the grant of an alcohol licence.’ If Tesco opened, Poundland said it would like to open a Dealz Store there too.

Tesco has said an alcohol licence is required to make the store viable; they have failed to be granted a licence three times in the past because of the number of outlets already selling alcohol in town.

The authority replied to Mr Tilleard it wanted official notification Tesco planned to reapply for an alcohol licence.

Clerk Eddie Convery said a ‘contact’ at Tesco ‘had no knowledge of an application for an alcohol licence in Castletown’.

Mr McAleer said Mr Tilleard had emailed him again, ‘saying we have not answered his question. He asked could we discuss it again, but there has been no application, so we cannot discuss it.’

Mr Leather said: ‘We were asked one simple question, we did not answer it.

‘Would this board support it if Tesco applied for a licence, pure and simple. It only requires no or yes. I feel we owe it to the town. Everywhere I have been stopped by people who say: “Bring us Tesco, Castletown is dead”. What is all the fuss about? We’re arguing about bylaws, but the town is dead.’

‘We would welcome Tesco,’ said David Parnell. ‘Tesco did not get a licence so their choice was not to come. We changed our stance (from opposing an alcohol licence to neutral).’

Mr McAleer said: ‘The solution is to get Tesco round the table to discuss it.’

Mr Collister added: ‘Can I take the word “Tesco” out of the equation? We need someone in town with a name, like Costa, to pull people in – Tesco, Morrison’s anything … we need something in that area, regardless of what it is, to get people into town. We must make that clear to everybody.’

Mr Convery said: ‘We asked Mr Tilleard if he could facilitate a meeting with Tesco.’

We are going to have to work longer to receive our full state pension in future.

Ci65’s report says the state pension is paid too early, too generously and to too many people - creating weak incentives for people to make private provision for retirement.

It recommends the state pension age is reviewed, linking it to life expectancy in the island. It doesn’t state what that age should be, only that you should be able to choose the time you take retirement.

The state retirement age has not increased for men since the state pension was first introduced. Currently the retirement age is 65 for men and 60 for women. That will be equalised to 65 for both men and women in 2018 but will rise in phases to 68 by the year 2044.

Ci65 says retirement should be flexible and not last more than 30 per cent of working life over the period to 2072.

The date of implementation should provide at least 15 years’ notice to those who will be affected.

Retirement benefits are by far the largest draw on the NI Fund. Ci65 says reform is needed to improve financial sustainability but is also required in the lights of increasing life expectancy and the motivation of many workers to work longer.

It suggests simplifying and enhancing the state pension on offer for future pensioners while protecting the rights of those already in retirement.

The current system of a basic pension topped up with supplements and earnings-based additions is ‘complex’, notes the report.

It proposes instead a single-tier state pension of a maximum of £180 per week, 25 per cent higher than the UK’s proposed £144 per week – and higher than the current basic state pension and Manx pension supplement, currently worth up to £166.85 a week.

Pensioners without additional pension entitlement would be better off by £684 per year under the proposed flat-rate system, representing an 8 per cent increase over the current rate of basic state pension and pension supplement.

Those who have accrued a state pension entitlement when the flat rate is introduced which is higher than the flat rate would have the difference protected so will not be worse off.

The report recommends the number of qualifying years for a full pension should increase to 45 years. It says the current 30 year requirement does not sufficiently reward individuals who work for longer. The average number of qualifying years among existing pensioners is 31.

Some 80 per cent of those retiring in the next five year would be expected to have 45 qualifying years on retirement and therefore many would not be adversely affected by the increase.

Ci65 recommends the Manx pension supplement is phased out over a 20 year period for new entrants, saying there is an imbalance between the qualification requirement of just 10 years and the contributions to the NI Fund.

The supplement will be used to protect pension rights in the transition period.

Current pensioners will see their state pension uprated in line with average earnings.

The report says increasing the state pension age will mean NI Fund income will peak at £1bn increase of £880m and pension outgo in the year 2072 will be £200m less.

Ci65 accepts the reforms will be accompanied by challenges – but none as large at that posed by an unsustainable NI Fund.

A ‘bold transformation’ is needed to tackle the island’s ‘out of date and broken’ welfare system.

That’s the conclusion of a long awaited 640-page report from consultants Ci65 which was published on Wednesday.

It says social security and National Insurance policies have not kept pace with the ageing population, are based on UK policies that may not be in the island’s best interests and have become unnecessarily complex.

Ci65’s report says that without change, the Manx National Insurance Fund, from which the state pension is paid, will be exhausted by 2047 – seven years earlier than previously expected.

Latest accounts, show the NI Fund had a £10.4m shortfall - the second year in a row that spending on state pensions and other benefits has exceeded NI contributions paid in.

Ci65’s report, commissioned by Treasury, recommends a package of reforms to extend the life of the Fund by making the system sustainable, simpler and more suited to the island’s social and economic conditions.

Breaking the link with UK policies could mean changing or replacing the reciprocal agreements on social security.

The recommended measures, which will go out to public consultation before proposals are presented to Tynwald next year, would leave existing pensioners largely unaffected.

Currently you need to make contributions for 30 qualifying years to receive the full basic state pension of £113.10 a week. The Manx pension supplement adds up to £53.75 extra.

Under Ci65’s proposals, the pension supplement will be phased out over 20 years for new entrants.

And starting in 2016, there will be a new flat-rate state pension set at £180 a week.

But you’ll have to work longer – 45 years – to qualify for your full state pension.

The island’s official rates of inflation have fallen.

Measured by the Consumer Prices Index, the annual rate dropped to 0.8 per cent in October from 1 per cent the month before.

The Retail Prices Index, which includes mortgage interest payments and household expenditure such as buildings insurance, dropped to 2.3 per cent from 2.6 per cent the month before.

The headline figures hide different rates of inflation for different goods.

For example, annual food inflation is currently running at 4.4 per cent, while clothing and footwear has actually got 0.9 per cent cheaper.

On average, something that cost £1 in October 2000 would cost £1.64 today.

The number of people out of work has risen slightly.

There were seven more people registered unemployed at the end of October compared with the month before.

The figure was 866, an unemployment rate of 1.9 per cent.

The UK’s unemployment rate is 6.2 per cent. The Republic of Ireland’s is 11 per cent.

Last month the Isle of Man Examiner reported that the Isle of Man had the lowest unemployment rate in Europe.

During October 216 people signed on while 209 signed off.

There were 509 vacancies notified to the Job Centre during the month, with 293 vacanices still on file at the end of the month.

However, many of the vacancies are in areas such as education, which need specialist skills.

Unemployment peaked during the last downturn in January this year, when 1,182 people were out of work. The trend since then has been down, with 198 fewer people unemployed in October 2014 than October 2013.

The lowest October figure in recent years was in 2001, when 165 people were out of work. In 1985 the figure was 2,271.

As I sit here and write this piece I’m still trying to get my brain in gear to report on how much of an honour it was to be part of The Big Beat For Hospice main event that took place at The Villa Marina last weekend.

Along with the core team members, the event saw huge numbers of veteran and beginner drummers join the team in playing to backing tracks solidly for morethan 51 hours.

The amount raised over the weekend will be broadcast soon but I’m very happy to report that it is already well in excess of £13,000.

There are discussions taking place already for the next event, so I’ll keep you posted on any developments as I receive them.

The justgiving site will be open for the remainder of the year and for anyone wishing to donate online the address is www.justgiving.com/bbfh.

Further information regarding any events relating to The Big Beat For Hospice can also be found at www.facebook.com/TheBigBeatForHospice

Last Saturday also the start of the annual Battle of the Bands competition that took place at Amber, in Douglas.

Taking part in Heat One were Abrasive Melody, The Fletcher Christian Mutiny and The Water Is Rising.

The Water Is Rising grabbed the winning slot with second place going to Abrasive Melody, who also go through to the final which takes place on November 29.

This Saturday sees Heat Two of Battle of the Bands taking place with Deady Long Legs, Eoin Molyneux, Leadvein, The Clowns Call For War and Trevor John Shimmin all stepping up to try and bag a place in the final.

The event kicks off at 8.45pm and it’s free entry.

Any bands out there wishing me to review their work or if you have any gossip or news related to the Manx music scene, please drop me an email to leachsteve@hotmail.com

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Steve Leach brings the latest rumblings, murmurings, news and views on forthcoming events in and around the island’s music scene. Help support the scene by emailing leachsteve@hotmail.com

Willow lantern workshops take place over the next two weekends in preparation for the Douglas lantern parade.

This weekend they take place at Willaston School and next weekend the venue is the Villa Marina Arcade. Sessions on both Saturday and Sunday are free and run from 10am-4pm.

The Douglas lantern parade on Thursday, November 20, will form part of the festivities in the town when the Christmas lights will be switched on by Mayor Stan Cain at 7.15pm outside Douglas town hall.

The parade will then leave from Upper Nelson Street and proceed through Douglas to the Villa Marina Arcade, for people to enjoy carol singing, mince pies, mulled wine and fruit juice.

A backbench MHK who raised questions in the Keys this week about the tax cap say the answers show the policy isn’t working.

In a written reply to a question from Chris Thomas (Douglas West), Treasury Minister Eddie Teare revealed that just 58 wealthy residents had elected for the £120,000 tax cap in the current financial year.

This compared to a peak of 95 individuals who benefited from the tax cap 2007-08.

Of the 58, just one moved to the island in 2014-15 tax year, one returned the previous year and 15 others had moved here since the tax cap was first introduced in February 2006.

Mr Thomas had asked what additional income tax would have been payable if the tax cap regime had not been in place.

But Mr Teare didn’t give a figure, saying the final number of tax cap cases and their income was still not known as tax return assessments were not yet complete for the 2013-14 tax year.

But he insisted the ‘removal of the tax cap was unlikely to lead to an increase in our tax yield and in fact the opposite could happen’.

He told MHKs: ‘These people make a significant contribution to our economy in addition to the tax they pay by purchasing goods and services, investing in local financial institutions and setting up businesses to provide local employment opportunities.’

But Mr Thomas said the replies showed the five-year tax cap election introduced in the February budget had not worked.

He said: ‘The super-rich are not being lured here which was the intention of this tax policy.

‘The answer to my Keys questions revealed the number paying the tax cap amount of £120,000 has fallen by a sixth or so since last year and only one tax-capped individual commenced tax residence this year, another returning in 2013/14.

‘Comparison with 2007/8 figures shows this failure more starkly. Then there were nearly 100 tax-cappers paying nearly £10m in income tax, this year there are 58 paying nearly £7m. Apparently only 17 people have moved here because of the tax cap during its eight year existence.’

He added: ‘We are taxing the wealthiest living here less than they used to pay and should pay. The effective tax rate for a tax-capper was calculated in 2012 as 3.77 per cent. This means that 90 per cent of individual income tax is paid by those who pay tax at the marginal 20 per cent rate.

‘Exempting the 58 tax cappers from the pain of rebalancing is impossible to justify, especially in its context of stealth taxation of the poorer. Such a tax policy is unfair and - we now learn - is not working. We should be revisiting tax cap policy immediately.’

The public is asked to help eradicate a species of ladybird that could damage the island’s ecology.

Harlequin ladybirds have been discovered in Santon – only the second time their presence has been recorded in the island.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) says that if the ladybird – which originates in Asia – takes hold in the Isle of Man, native species could be damaged.

A blueprint to grow the value of local food and drink production by £50 million over the next 10 years has been unveiled.

Food Matters – the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture’s food business development strategy – will go before Tynwald for approval this month.

Food and drink production is already worth £75 million to the Manx economy and supports 1,300 jobs. Food Matters sets out how it could be worth £125 million by 2025.

Richard Ronan MHK gained Tynwald’s approval in January to develop the strategy and has since been appointed DEFA Minister so will oversee its implementation subject to this month’s vote.

He said growing the food and drink sector would create jobs, boosting the economy; put Manx food and drink on the map, increasing visitor numbers and investment, and lead to greater choice for consumers at a time when quality and provenance are becoming increasingly important.

‘This strategy sets out how the Isle of Man Government and the private sector can work together to increase our share of the food and drink market, at home and abroad, grow the sector and offer local people and visitors greater quality and choice,’ the Minister said.

The development of a distinctive local food and drink sector is a key aim of Vision 2020, the Government’s plan for economic success.

Food Matters sets out how Government can offer support to and encourage innovation within the food and drink sector.

Steps towards ensuring the strategy’s success would include:

- Consult with the industry to prioritise activities and develop a five-year action plan for implementation

- Seek Treasury approval to use £350k-£400k from the Countryside Care Scheme to supplement existing DEFA and DED grants

- Recruit a food business development manager on a three-year fixed term to champion local businesses in the market place and help businesses access expertise and grant aid.

- Develop a food marketing a promotion programme in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development.

‘Food and drink is an integral part of the island’s landscape and heritage and has a vital role to play in its cultural and economic future,’ Mr Ronan said.

‘The island already has highly successful food and drink producers that export £20 million worth of products, largely to the UK and Europe, with some products reaching as far afield as America and the Far East.

‘This is in addition to more than £15 million in local sales.

‘The number of businesses creating local food and drink has grown from 30 in 2010 to more than 100, proving there’s a bright future and a growing market for high-quality Manx products.

‘Food retail on the island is worth £169 million, the vast majority of it imported goods, and the eating out industry is worth £94 million – more than a third of that spent by visitors.’

He said: ‘The local food and drink sector must compete with off-island producers who benefit from economies of scale and can supply shops, restaurants etc at cheaper prices.

‘However, consumers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their choice of food and drink, for health, economic and environmental reasons and this can give us a competitive advantage into the future.

‘Supporting local businesses, taste and quality, knowing where their food has come from – the so-called journey from farm to fork – and food miles and packaging are important to them.

‘This strategy sets out how we will work with the retail and hospitality sectors to ensure local produce has pride of place on local shelves and local menus.

‘The island must ensure it can provide the food experiences required of residents and visitors alike, to grow its reputation as a desirable place to live, work and visit.’

Food Matters can be found at www.whereyoucan.com/fooddrink

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KEY THEMES

1. Resilience through increased diversity

Rename the Countryside Care Scheme as the Countryside Care and Food Business Scheme

Amend government capital grant schemes for primary producers and other food businesses

Create a food business start-up course

Create suitable food production premises

Changes to government procurement to encourage use of local food products

Promote non-food diversification and develop the store and breeding stock export market.

2. Competitiveness through improved efficiency and skills

Develop a food and drink cluster

Create a food hub – a central warehousing, ordering and invoicing point to allow new and small-scale producers to access a wider market

Develop a strategy for export including shared logistics

Improve the animal health status of the island through achieving TB and BVD-status

3. Profit through market and customer focus

Build the reputation of the Island of Man brand and food labelling

Improved tools for traceability in the supply chain

Appoint a national agency to provide market research, product and brand development

Create a customer-focused Isle of Man food website presence

Develop a quality scheme for food businesses that emphasises the use of Manx produce and a food award that recognises quality and innovation.

Chief Minister Allan Bell is to present a ‘mid-term report’ to this month’s sitting of Tynwald.

Entitled ‘Securing A Sustainable Future For Our Island’, the report gives examples of progress against the three core priorities – protect the vulnerable, grow the economy, balance the budget – set out in the Council of Ministers’ Agenda for Change document.

It outlines the challenges facing the Isle of Man in the next decade, and proposes a revised performance framework based on national outcomes linked to strategic objectives.

In his foreword to the report the Chief Minister writes: ‘There is still much to do, but I am encouraged by our progress to date. We have delivered on many of the commitments made in Agenda for Change and have created a platform on which we can deliver further reform.

‘It will not be easy, but working together we can secure a sustainable future for our island and honour our responsibilities to the generations that will follow us.’

Key achievements indicated in the report include:

Maintaining economic growth, confidence and employment through a period of external recession, substantial VAT revenue loss and Government downsizing

Delivering on the promise to rebalance the revenue budget by 2015/16

Making government smaller, reducing the number of departments from nine to seven and merging the Manx Electricity Authority with the Water and Sewerage Authority

Reducing the government salary budget by £53 million in real terms

Delivering nearly £15 million in internal efficiency savings, protecting frontline services

Raising over £7.5 million from the sale of Government property plus annual rental savings

Saving almost £5 million by means-testing Child Benefit, freeing up funding to increase pre-school nursery places for children

Introducing fixed tenancies for public sector housing, helping to ensure that this resource supports those most in need

Building 327 new homes, including 61 for first time buyers and 241 for people on lower incomes

Supporting business growth and jobs across the economic sectors, including a £5 million investment in engineering skills

Reducing the number of young unemployed by over 20%

Committing over £10 million to the regeneration of towns and villages

Grown the number of tourists by 10 per cent, including a 30 per cent increase in visitors to the TT and Festival of Motorcycling

Looking ahead, the report identifies the major continuing challenges as: modernisation of the welfare system; making health and social care affordable; remaining vigilant to external regulatory and political developments; adapting to climate change; balancing the budget longer-term, dealing with reserve funds and public sector pensions; and maintaining the drive towards smaller, smarter Government by reducing bureaucracy and increasing the use of technology.

There will be more on this story in the Isle of Man Examiner on Tuesday.

Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly MHK is to seek approval at the November sitting of Tynwald for Government to sell the Nunnery on the outskirts of Douglas for development as an educational and training establishment specialising in ICT (information and communications technology) skills.

The proposal is to sell the site to International Centre for Technology Ltd for £5 million.

More on this story in Tuesday’s Isle of Man Examiner.

Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK this week led a senior delegation to Brussels.

The future of the United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union and the potential implications for the Isle of Man were among the issues discussed during a series of meetings with EU politicians and officials.

The Chief Minister, who was accompanied by Chief Secretary Will Greenhow and Director of External Relations Della Fletcher MBE, also gained an insight into the EU’s priorities for the forthcoming parliamentary season.

The visit was organised by the Isle of Man Brussels Office against a changing political landscape in Europe and further developments in international tax and financial services regulation.

Mr Bell held positive meetings with a number of MEPs – including Kay Swinburne, a member of the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, and Syed Kamall, leader of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) – the Permanent Representative and Deputy Head of Mission of the UK Permanent Representation to the European Union (UKrep) and representatives of Andorra, the Faroe Islands and Channel Islands.

There was also an opportunity to learn more about the Scottish Government’s plans in relation to the devolution debate and to have informal discussions with the Head of the City of London’s Brussels Office.

The Chief Minister said: ‘The visit to Brussels was extremely productive in terms of developing a deeper understanding of the current position and influence of the UK in European circles.

‘This is a matter of great significance for the Isle of Man. While we can and do engage with the EU directly, we do not ultimately have a seat at the table and rely on the UK to represent our interests.’

He added: ‘It is also important to remain in step with developments that will have an impact on our business community. The Isle of Man’s future economic success will come, in large part, from our ability to attract foreign investment and to promote ourselves as a gateway into the European marketplace. Engaging with those who develop the laws and regulations enables us to create the right environment in which the island’s economy can flourish.’

The visit also served to raise further awareness of the Isle of Man’s contribution to the global economy.

Mr Bell said: ‘It is vital for our reputation and future prosperity that our position on key issues is communicated fairly and accurately. Developing our international relations must remain at the heart of everything we do as a government and as a business centre.’

On his return from Brussels Mr Bell also had meetings in London with a number of l politicians, including Lord Faulks, the Justice Minister responsible for the UK Government’s relations with the Crown Dependencies.

Mr Bell added: ‘This was a very useful series of meetings in Brussels and London, and it provided further evidence that the external view of the Isle of Man is now much more positive than in the past. It is gratifying that the island’s policies of international responsibility and engagement are gaining recognition.’

A red BMW estate car parked outside Quay House on South Quay in Douglas sustained extensive damage to the driver’s side.

Police say a sharp implement would have been needed to cause the damage during the incident, which took place on Friday, September 19, at 11.50am.

Officers are appealing for the man and woman shown in the attached CCTV video footage, or anyone who may recognise them or has witnessed the incident, to contact Constable Yule at police headquarters on 631212 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

A new-look team offering ‘an enhanced service’ for premier clients has been launched at Barclays Wealth and Investment Management in the Isle of Man.

The team oversees local premier clients in the island, assisting with all their wealth and banking needs, providing what is described as an exclusive service.

The local premier client team which has more than 50 years’ ‘relationship management experience’, comprises two account executives, three relationship managers, a regulatory expert and head of local markets, Colette Meenan.

Premier clients were invited to the launch event at the Victoria Street, Douglas, branch to meet with the Barclays premier team and to have a tour of the exclusive lounge area for the sole use of premier clients. Premier banking clients receive a personal service with a dedicated relationship manager and privileged access to a wide range of specialists, financial products and lifestyle benefits.

Ms Meehan said: ‘The local premier team is the point of contact for local premier customers, working with them to understand their needs, providing bespoke banking solutions, tailored to each individual client’s needs.

‘The team are experts in their fields, providing professional and well regulated advice for our premier clients, helping to provide a first class service.’ Premier banking is available for individuals who have in excess of £100,000 of savings or investments with Barclays Wealth and Investment Management or those who have an annual salary of £75,000 plus per annum.