Firefighters in Kirk Michael will be staging a Christmas charity car wash.

The event will be held at the village fire station between 10am and 3pm on Sunday, November 30.

Funds raised will go towards the Firefighters’ Charity and other local causes.

A Ballasalla resident has applauded the concessions on bus passes announced recently by the government.

Peter Jordan, who moved to the island from the UK in the summer, said it was important for people to know what costs to expect when they retired and he was pleased to see the changes which have now been made.

‘When I moved over here I took account of the expenses such as higher energy costs and not getting free prescriptions at over 60 as I had in the UK. Having a free bus pass influenced where I decided to buy a house but then suddenly they said people would not get free bus passes until they were 65 or state pension age,’ he said.

Changes to pensioners’ concessionary travel were announced this autumn as part of a host of measures designed to raise £5 million for the Department of Infrastructure. Other measures which met with objections include parking charges for the promenade walkway in Douglas, reduced waiting times in the reverse parking on the promenades, a £25 fee for residents’ parking permits and charges for school bus travel.

Free bus passes will now be phased in gradually over a period with eligibility rising to 65 by 2023. Concessions have also been made on school bus fares, down from 50p to 25p, parking on the promenade walkway, with free periods on Thursday evenings and Saturdays in the run up to Christmas, and waiting times for disc parking staying at two hours rather than cut to one.

The backtracking on bus passes brings the island roughly in line with many UK cities, such as Manchester, where the measure is being phased in.

Mr Jordan, who is 62 in February, said the passes have an impact not just on shopping but on charities which rely on volunteers who are often retired. He also questioned why an annual season ticket was offered on the island’s railways but not on the buses.

A Rock legend is gearing up for a return to the Isle of Man next year, and is ready to bring a taste of classic rock to the Festival of Motorcycling.

John Coghlan is bringing his band, ‘John Coghlan’s Quo’, to the Villa Marina next year, to coincide with the Classic TT/festival of Motorcycling.

John is a founding member of the legendary rock group, Status Quo, and was a key member of the classic line up that enjoyed stratospheric success between 1968 and 1982.

John, affectionately known as the ‘Mad Turk’ during his time with Quo, is clearly relishing a chance to perform the classic material infront of a willing crowd.

Clearly Status Quo are a band that the biker crowds of the 1970’s and 80’s identified with, and John believes it is a perfect time to bring a touch of the classic music to a festival that is celebrating the heyday of bike racing on the island.

‘Status Quo music, especially the 70’s stuff that I played on, it’s really bikers music,’ he said, sat in the foyer of the Villa.

‘Paper Plane, Down Down, and stuff like that, its just real biker music.

‘The band will only play songs that I played on. The first hit record was Pictures of Matchstick Men, so from there right up until 1981. We tend to play an hour and a half of Status Quo songs that I played on.’

‘I think we’re going to spend a few days here. We’re going to come over the night before and hang out.

‘The funny thing is, three of the guys in my band, Baz Mick and Pete are all motorbike fans.

‘I’m the only person who doesn’t own a motorbike!’

He also said that, during this year’s European reunion tour with the legendary Status Quo line up, also featuring Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt and bassist Alan Lancaster, he met many fans who were excitedly talking about travelling to the Festival of Motorcycling.

‘We did a tour this year of 16 shows around Europe,’ he said.

‘Here were people from all over the world came to see us. I met loads of them at these gigs, and I hear that lots of them are going to be here on the island when we play at the Villa.

‘It’s going to be a great gig.’

This will be the first time John has officially played here on the island, despite the fact that he lived here during the 70’s and early 80’s.

He and his wife Gillie lived here for around 10 years, spending their time in Ballasalla and on the coast of Jurby, where John would enjoy watching the American bombers practice on the bombing range out at sea from his back garden.

‘When I lived here for 10 years, I sat in with a couple of bands over here and also I played here in 1976 when I was still with Status Quo,’ he said.

‘We played at the place behind the Palace there. The Lido. I remember that.

‘We were the first band to move the stage, because in those days the bands played half way across the room, but we put the stage down by the far end and it made it more of a proper rock gig.’

This is the first time John has been back to the island since moving away, and it is clear he is looking forward to getting back here next year to play.

This time he spent a quiet weekend reacquainting himself with the island’s roads and meeting old friends and faces.

‘Its a great place, and it’s nice for me to come back to, and in a sense to give something back to the fans and the people in the Isle of Man,’ he said. But we always used to get asked: “Why don’t you come and play over here?” Now is the right time, somehow.

‘The great thing about Baz, Mick and Pete, thank god, is that they’re not look-a-likes.

‘It’s just me with my own bands playing my hits.

‘It’ll be a good rocking night, and a good night for Status Quo fans. I can’t wait!’

John Coghlan’s Quo will play the Villa Marina on August 29, 2015. Tickets are on sale from the Villa Marina box office.

As a very fine example of puppy love, Kaitlin Miller, aged eight, wrote her Christmas list for Santa and it featured items entirely for the family’s new puppy, nine-week old Poppy.

Her mum Sharon was so touched by this, she put Kaitlin’s list – which included food, collar, blanket, toys, poo bags, lead, treats, tennis ball and holder – on Facebook.

Barbara Guy, who works at Port Erin Pets & Pals, spotted it and approached shop owner Lynne George.

‘How sweet to think of the dog and not herself,’ said Barbara. ‘So I asked Lynne about it – she is more than generous. She agreed to give her what she asked for, she also gave Kaitlin and her twin sister Ellie goodie bags.’

Kaitlin knew the shop had offered to donate items for Poppy and was excited at the prospect of picking them up after being at Ballacottier School last Friday.

The day grew more exciting as their new puppy was there to greet them in the car as Sharon had just collected Poppy, a poochon (a cross between a poodle and a bichon), whose first outing with the family was to the shop, where they were greeted by Santa Claus!

‘I was overwhelmed,’ said Sharon. ‘Santa was waiting there with the gifts, I could not believe it . I did not expect this response at all.

‘They gave us a harness, dog treats, training mat, hair brush – we came away with loads of stuff. They had goodie bags for the girls, they included advent calendars, they already have them, so they both gave us [Sharon and husband Tom] theirs. Kaitlin understands why the whole thing came about. It’s overwhelming enough they got the dog, they have been pestering us for ages to get one, it’s been quite a journey.’

The benefits of sport have been outlined in a new government strategy.

The Strategy for Sport 2014-2024 – published this week by Manx Sport and Recreation, part of the Department of Education and Children (DEC) – comes with the strapline ‘early intervention and prevention is better than cure’ and with the aim of getting ‘more people, more active, more often’.

The strategy outlines how making sporting opportunities available to all will contribute to the government’s priorities – growing the economy, rebalancing the budget and protecting the vulnerable.

obesity

With physical inactivity costing the island an estimated £11.6 million a year, obesity alone £5.6 million of that, staying fit and active leads to fewer GP visits, less time off work and reduced hospital spending.

Participation in sport gives people goals for their leisure time, offsetting costly social problems such as unemployment, exclusion, crime and anti-social behaviour.

Hosting sporting events, other than the TT, leads to £3 million being generated in tourism.

Home-grown international sportsmen and woman generate valuable publicity for the Isle of Man around the world.

With a fifth of the island’s five-year-olds and half of adults overweight, increasing participation in sport and physical activity among the young is a major aim of the strategy. Improving data-gathering, expanding current programmes, promoting the value of walking and cycling to school and investigating the feasibility of ‘fitness testing’ children are aims of the strategy.

Involving more people in community sport, with the long-term benefits that brings, and affording disabled people greater access to sport are two other key objectives.

The strategy outlines how sport can improve the lives of looked-after children and young carers, whose academic progress, health and career chances can suffer. Early identification, mentoring and tailored opportunities for vulnerable groups are needed, the strategy says.

The document identifies how physical activity can aid those who already suffer from poor health. Pilot referral programmes for children and adults, run in conjunction with the Department of Health and Social Care, are proving effective and should be extended and invested in, the strategy says, reaping long-term benefits for health budgets.

Extending sport as a method of improving social inclusion, and giving young people the chance to gain experience that may help them get jobs or further their education, are two more key objectives of the strategy.

Maintaining the island’s excellent sporting facilities and encouraging people into coaching are also among the objectives.

Ensuring ongoing sporting success, to inspire the next generation of athletes is also vital, the strategy says, with nurturing talent and securing funding key goals.

Launching the strategy at the National Sports Centre, David Anderson MHK, politial member of the DEC with responsibility for sport, said: ‘The island has an enviable sporting record and first class facilities and, while not all of us will be the next Olympic or Commonwealth Games medal winners, sport can play a part in improving all our lives.

healthy

‘This strategy sets out how taking part in sport from an early age can set us on the route to a healthy lifestyle; how involvement in sport can lead to fulfilment and how even people who are suffering from illness or injury can use physical activity to improve their lives.

‘Ultimately, a healthier population will spell greater economic productivity, fewer social problems and decreased spending on health – something that will benefit the entire island.’

Chris Allen, chairman of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce Manufacturing and Technical Industries (MTI) Committee and general manager at Triumph Actuation Systems (UK and IOM) based in Onchanlooks at how the manufacturing sector can develop further in the next decade, and in doing so play a key role supporting Government’s Vision 2020 strategy.

‘High tech will be a high priority in the 2020 world’.

That’s the key message for manufacturing in the Government’s Vision 2020 strategy, which also sets a goal to make the island a centre of excellence in this sector.

Chamber’s MTI committee was consulted by Government on the manufacturing section of Vision 2020, and we believe that the island is already well on the way towards achieving its goals, with many manufacturing businesses here already recognised as global players.

We also welcomed recognition in Vision 2020 for the success of the island’s ‘cluster’ approach in which groups of businesses in specialist industries work together to achieve outcomes that benefit the sector as a whole.

The best illustration of this is the Aerospace Cluster – an MTI sub-committee group – which provides a forum for joint working, sharing of intelligence, introducing new technology, networking, learning and initiatives specific to aerospace.

The island also has an emerging new cluster of businesses involved in the production of optics and specialist coatings where collaboration is delivering growth.

Other manufacturers are succeeding in diverse niches such as bespoke bathroom/kitchens, thermostatic controls for water heating appliances, electronic controls, diving equipment and body composition monitors to name a few.

The collaborative approach works well because it is perfectly suited to a small economy in which businesses can achieve significant benefits from pooling knowledge in common areas of concern.

It has particular benefits in the field of manufacturing where the pace of technical and scientific change is so rapid.

Continuing this approach will play a major part in achieving the Vision 2020 goals, but it needs continued support from Government.

Business leaders in the manufacturing sector have identified that Government strategic focus is also required in the following key areas: ·

Policy and legislation

The island potentially has a massive advantage over competitor jurisdictions because we can set our own policies and legislation and, by making the right decisions in this area, encourage growth.

However, we must ensure that a coherent cross-Government strategy exists where all departments work together in support of Vision 2020, and there needs to be greater engagement with the sector.

Skills

Skills availability is a constraint to growth and, for some businesses, long term sustainability. As a sector, we have pushed for a supportive educational strategy aligned with the specific needs of industry.

We have seen some recent successes in this area through the collaborative efforts of Departments of Economic Development, and Education and Children, and the Engineering Sector skills group (a Chamber MTI sub-committee) with the opening of the new Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre at Hills Meadow and the William Kennish Building at Isle of Man College.

Provision of the right technical courses and standards of equipment and tuition will continue to be a priority. ·

Technology

There are higher base costs for establishing a manufacturing business here.

Manufacturers therefore have to develop specific strategies to overcome this. For some it has been providing for a niche market, and for others it has been a high added value strategy.

Appropriate advanced technology is at the heart of both.

Businesses need easy access to funding and emergent technologies.

For the latter, the island needs to forge links with technology developers and universities, also our people need to attend technology exhibitions and visit examples of best practice.

Support in this area is linked to education and training but goes beyond that with regard to Government’s strategic links with the right universities and other regional relationships off-Island.

Infrastructure

Manufacturing has specific needs. We need security and reliability of distribution links on and off-island as our customers demand on time delivery with no interruption.

The sector has specific requirements for power, utilities, and waste disposal to name a few.

We have a number of collaborative projects with Government today and will need on-going engagement.

Strategic plan

Manufacturing needs the All Island Strategic Plan to consider the sector’s future growth needs with the provision of land zoned for industrial use, technology parks and training facilities.

Manufacturing is not centred around Douglas, it is represented in locations across the island and offers valuable employment opportunities.

Government needs to continue to work with the sector to identify and provision for future requirements.

The success that the manufacturing sector has achieved thus far is due in no small measure to co-operation between Government and the private sector, and by businesses co-operating to resolve common issues via representative bodies such as the MTI committee.

Working together we can address the issues outlined above, and succeed in achieving the goals set out for the sector in Vision 2020.

To find out more about Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce go to www.iomchamber.org.im or phone 674941.

For more information about the MTI committee, contact Chris Allen by emailing CAllen1@triumphgroup.com or phoning 692000.

A Peel teenager who caused the death of a 14-year-old girl by dangerous driving has been sentenced to three years in prison.

Craig Ryan Bridgewater, 18, of Carmane Close, crashed a car on the Switchback Road near Peel, on March 8, killing Onchan schoolgirl, Lucia Porter, who was a passenger in the car.

He has also been banned from driving for five years.

In passing sentence Deemster Alastair Montgomerie said: ‘Every such case represents a human tragedy which has devastated a family. Nobody can turn back the clock, no punishment can cure the grief.

‘No one should be tempted to measure the sentence against the life because that life was priceless.’

Read the full story in the Isle of Man Examiner - in shops tomorrow.

Pupils from St Ninian’s secondary school in Douglas joined forces with children from neighbouring feeder schools to commemorate the First World War in music and prose.

About 200 pupils, including 50 from St Ninian’s, were involved in the concert which took place on Wednesday and Thursday nights at the St Ninian’s lower school Bemahague site.

On Wednesday night pupils from Onchan, Willaston and St Mary’s schools were performing in front of parents and VIP guests including the island’s Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood, school governors and MHKs.

On Thursday it was the turn of Ashley Hill, St Thomas’ and Cronk-y-Berry primary schools, with St Ninian’s pupils performing both nights.

St Ninian’s head of music Claire Creer said the idea came from Dunkirk veteran Hector Duff who regularly speaks to the island’s school children about the war.

‘He thought it would be a good idea for the schools to do something to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the war in 1914 so he spoke to Jo Richardson the head of Onchan school,’ Mrs Creer said.

Mrs Creer said: ‘It’s a mixture of music and readings with traditional songs such as It’s a long way to Tipperary and Pack up Your Troubles. They are singing Abide with Me and readings will also include pieces written by actual Manx servicemen.’

Mr Duff was among the guests attending the concert on Wednesday night and took part by performing a reading.

Children aged from eight to 18 were involved. Sixth former Sarah Buss from Douglas said; ‘It was really nice to be able to commemorate the out break of the war and celebrate the lives of peple lost, and remember what they did for us.’

Marc McCabe-O’Kelly, also a sixth former from Douglas, was another pupil taking part with a reading from the letters of sailor WH Clark from Ramsey, the sole Manx survivor when his ship sank near Gallipoli.

Fiona Breadner from Onchan primary school said all the children also contributed art work for the First World War display.

Members of the audience arriving at the school were confronted with Bemahague’s own floral tribute to the fallen. Inspired by the display at the Tower of London, each of the school’s 1,000 pupils had drawn a poppy which formed a display extending along the walls of the corridor leading to the theatre area and cascading down the side of the doors to the floor.

During the interval, for a small charitable donation, audience members could fortify themselves with buns each decorated with a red icing poppy and laid out on a green table cloth, to simulate a poppy field.

Deputy headmaster Rob Cowley said: ‘There’s at least one poppy from each child in our catchment area which is over 3,000 so we’ve probably ended up with more than 5,000 of them.

‘It’s created a wonderful display and it has all been respected by the children and it is excellent work between our school and all the feeder schools.’

An application for an amended plan for a dwelling in Port Erin provoked objections from the local authority on November 18 because it is 11 years since the original plan was submitted.

The plan (14/01262/B by Mr P Christopher) is for ‘variation of condition two of PA 08/01773/B erection of a three storey dwelling … (comprising amendments to PA 03/00897/B) to extend period of permission at The Boathouse site adjacent to Shore House, Shore Road.’

Phil Crellin said: ‘It’s giving somebody open ended planning permission. From 10 or 11 years ago what’s acceptable now changes, the open environment changes.’

He said they should: ‘Turn it down and reapply.’

Nick Watterson said: ‘People are crying out for properties to be built. For it (the site) to sit there and let something we thought would be developed 11 years ago go by and let it go with a nod and no thought. I think we should say: “No and reapply”.’

Mr Power said the gesture might ‘inspire quicker action and get it smartened up.’

Mr Watterson said it might, ‘make people think about leaving it in that state for a long time. If coercion comes from it, so be it.’

Mr Crellin proposed they object to this policy of ‘continually renewing planning applications’ over an 11-year period. He was seconded by Mr Watterson.

The Family Library is spreading the word of books far and wide – with a gift to help set up a library in The Gambia.

It has donated a number of boxes packed with books through the International Black and White Association, a charity which stands for respect between different races and cultures. The charity helps people who are disadvantaged and exposed to intolerance via link ups with local charities around the world.

Books donated by the Family Library and the Mobile Family Library have been donated for a children’s library in Kololi in the Gambia.

The Family Library and Mobile Family Library are run as a charity under the auspices of the Manx Educational Foundation and the link-up with the International Black and White Association came through a meeting with foundation director Kurt Roosen.

Jennie Thompson, IBWA vice-president, said: ‘I was impressed and saw what a vital service the Family Library and the Mobile Family Library is for the community.

‘They needed a good place for their redundant books to go and the IBWA in Spain has sent many thousands of books to Africa so we thought that here, where we are a Manx-registered charity, we should see what we could do.’

One of the island directors of IBWA, Martin Freestone, has business interests in the Gambia.

‘It was through his contacts that we realised we could set up a local library and make the books available to schools,’ said Jennie, who is also secretary of the Manx charity.

The books range from those for young children to large print editions for adults.

‘This is a wonderful donation and one that will make a real difference to people in The Gambia,’ said Jennie.

Mary Cousins, librarian in charge of the Family Library, said: ‘We are more than happy to donate books we no longer have need for to such a worthy cause.

‘Having met Jennie, we were impressed the aims of the charity and more than happy to help.’

And the meeting between the organisations will also benefit others.

Mary inquired whether medical instruments left by her father would be of any use and through IBWA contacts with the One World Centre, a woman from Sierra Leone who wanted help her country through the ebola crisis was found and she will make sure they go to the right place.

Racing star Johnny Herbert is to give a talk in the island in the new year.

Herbert enjoyed a successful career in Formula 1, finishing on the podium for Benetton, Sauber and Stewart.

He went on to achieve Grand Prix victories at Monza and the Nürburgring. Competing at the highest level for over a decade, Johnny Herbert has raced with the likes of Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill, Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell and Alain Prost, testing himself against some of motorsport’s true greats.

Racing alongside his driving partner Michael Schumacher for Benetton, Herbert won his first ever Grand Prix in front of a home crowd at Silverstone.

Although famous for his time on the Grand Prix circuit, Johnny Herbert has competed in many different forms of motorsport. He is well remembered for his success at the Le Mans 24 hour race, a title that he secured for the first time in 1991 with Mazda alongside Bertrand Gachot and Volker Weidler. He has also been a champion in the British Formula 3, Le Mans Series Championship and Speedcar.

He currently commentates for Sky Sports.

The dinner will take place from 7pm, on January 29 at the Palace Hotel in Douglas.

Tickets are £65 for members, and £75 for non-members, exc VAT.

Tickets from john@sportinganddiningclub.com, or telephone 617049 or 495749.

New measures have been unveiled to enhance transparency and dispel some of the ‘myths’ about the planning process.

The Department of Infrastructure will provide a quarterly update on the number of planning applications dealt with and the length of time taken to reach a decision. The information will be available on the government website.

Statistics for the 12 months to the end of September 2014 show 1,551 planning applications were determined of which 87 per cent (1,339) were approved.

Some 70 per cent (1,091) were determined within eight weeks and 88 per cent (1,373) were determined within 13 weeks.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne said: ‘Publishing statistics online will give people an insight into the performance of our planning division.

‘I believe it will also help to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions that exist around planning. There is a view that the system sometimes puts the brakes on development or is a long and drawn-out process. The reality is very different. The vast majority of applications are approved and most are determined within two months.’

Other measures to improve the openness of the planning system have included allow members of the public to speak at planning committee meetings and on online service to enable people to view planning applications and officer reports.

An appeal has been made for information after a person sustained facial injuries in Ramsey.

Police say an incident occured between between 1am and 6am on Thursday, November 20, around the Vernon Road area.

If you saw or heard any kind of disturbance or argument, contact Constable Adam Hawkes at Ramsey Police Station on 812234, police headquarters on 631212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 1111.

Questions about the tax cap, legal highs and pay day loans will be raised in today’s sitting of the House of Keys.

Chris Thomas (Douglas West) will quiz Treasury Minister Eddie Tear over the wealth and income of those elect to take the tax cap.

Peter Karran (Lib Van, Onchan) will ask Mr Teare what plans he has to protect consumers against pay day loans.

He will also quiz Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson over whether action will be taken over legal highs.

But questions over the pension reform dominate. Liberal leader Kate Beecroft (Douglas South) will ask Minister for Policy and Reform Chris Robertshaw whether the integration of the state and public service pensions is under consideration.

Douglas North MHK John Houghton will ask the Treasury Minister Eddie Teare how much was paid to consultants Ci65 for their report into the sustainability of the National Insurance Fund.

Ci65’s report says the NI Fund, from which the state pension is paid, will be exhausted by 2047 unless there is radical reform. It recommends increasing the retirement age in phases so that someone born today would have to work until they are 74.

Traders wishing to showcase their crafts at an outdoor fair in Douglas over the weekend of December 20-21 are being urged to sign up as soon as possible.

Town centre manager Michelle O’Malley said: ‘The fair will take place along Castle Street and Marina Road and always draws the crowds.

‘There’s been good take-up but we do have a few spaces left, and we’re anticipating especially high levels of footfall in the town on the Saturday, when the ice sculpture in Regent Street starts taking shape from around 10.30am (see story above, right). These fairs always reveal some truly outstanding creativity from local crafters, matched by shoppers’ enthusiasm for unique gifts with a difference.’

To secure a place at the fair, contact Michelle O’Malley, Douglas Development Partnership, Chesterfield House, Victoria Street, Douglas, call 69630 or email MOMalley@douglas.gov.im.

For the latest news about Douglas town centre events, follow Douglas Town Centre Management on Facebook.

A long-awaited Freedom of Information Bill is due have its first reading in the House of Keys today (Tuesday).

The Bill, in the charge of Policy and Reform Minister Chris Robertshaw MHK, introduces a legal right of access to information held by public authorities, subject to a number of exemptions.

Its implementation will be phased and it will not apply retrospectively beyond the start of the current administration in October 2011.

The Council of Ministers has agreed that the FOI regime should start in 2016 with a pilot scheme at the Cabinet Office and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. It will be extended over the following two years to other departments, statutory boards and local authorities.

The current Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which applies to all departments and statutory boards, will remain in place.

Mr Robertshaw said: ‘The FoI Bill strengthens the operation of open government by enshrining in law the right of citizens to gain access to information held by public authorities. However, this is a potentially costly measure so CoMin has taken care to mitigate its impact while ensuring that it will work effectively.’

Police have appealed for witnesses to a traffic collision on Somerset Road, Douglas at around 5.10pm on Friday.

The vehicle responsible has been described as a silver Peugeot, which damaged a blue Volkswagen Polo and fled the scene. Witnesses are asked to contact PC Gardner on 631212 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Is new financial crime legislation being given greater priority than that dealing with offences against children?

Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson told Tynwald there was a ‘tough balance to be struck between protecting the vulnerable and protecting our international reputation’.

He was replying to a question from Glenfaba MHK David Anderson who asked what plans he had to bring forward a Sexual Offences Bill covering offences connected with the internet and also draft legislation allowing cross-examination of vulnerable witness.

A mother whose toddler was sexually abused at a Douglas nursery last year welcomed proposed changes to allow the cross-examination of all witnesses under the age of 18, and those identified as vulnerable, to be pre-recorded before a case is brought to trial.

But Mr Watterson told Tynwald last week that his department had competing priorities.

He said sexual offences legislation needed a major overhaul and a proposed new Bill would include provisions dealing with new technologies and social media being used by offenders.

He said: ‘It will be progressed as soon as possible but until we have passed certain stages in progressing other legislation I would not want to give a commitment to a date.’

That other legislation includes changes to meet international Moneyval obligations to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism, the Minister explained.

He said consideration was also being given to pre-recording of vulnerable witnesses in a Sentencing Bill, which was just ahead of the proposed Sexual Offences Bill in the legislative drafting priorities.

Mr Anderson pointed out the Minister had given an assurance nearly a year ago that legislation would be prioritised. ‘Even though there is a small number of people involved. They are very vulnerable people,’ he said.

Dudley Butt MLC, a former detective chief inspector, asked whether the Minister considered financial crime legislation of greater priority than that dealing with offences against children and their vulnerability as witnesses.

Mr Watterson replied that the Council of Ministers also had priorities and that it is ‘a tough balance to strike between protecting the vulnerable and protecting our international reputation’.

Local illustrator and artist Juan Moore returns to the Henry Bloom Noble Library, Douglas, on Wednesday, December 10, to give a talk about the challenges of creating an image a day, his online contribution to Island of Culture 2014.

Every day since January 1 the ambitious project has seen him produce an image for his blog, imageadayiom.blogpsot.com.

He was also responsible for the design of the commemorative Island of Culture 2014 set of eight stamps, each one depicting a different cultural topic.

The talk will start at 7.30pm. Tickets are free and can be collected in advance from the library’s ground-floor counter.

The Henry Bloom Noble Library is at 10 Victoria Street, Douglas.

Twelve representations have been received about discontinuing the advertising of planning applications in Isle of Man Newspapers.

Replying to a Tynwald question from Speaker Steve Rodan, Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne said his department will conduct a review of the new arrangements late this year by engaging with local authorities, libraries and others to seek their feedback.

‘As part of this review I will ensure the views in all the representations received so far are considered,’ he said.