GOVERNMENT is still recruiting senior managerial posts -– despite a continuing freeze on the salary budget.

Replying to a Tynwald question from Peter Karran (Lib Van, Onchan), Chief Minister Allan Bell said it was ‘necessary’ to continue to recruit even during ‘periods of considerable fiscal challenge’.

‘Without required staff, whether they be manual, craft, administrative, managerial, professional or technical, it would not be possible for government to continue to deliver public services,’ he told members.

Mr Bell said there was a continuing broader move across government to downsize government and natural wastage was a key tool in doing this.

But he insisted there were specific times when posts have to be filled. ‘If they are key posts central to the delivery of a service, it would not be appropriate for those posts to be left unfilled without damaging the service delivery in the process,’ he said.

The Chief Minister said government departments, boards and offices are obliged to review all vacancies, including managerial vacancies and vacancies at senior level, as they arise.

He said this can only be done where the vacancy can be funded from within existing salary budgets.

He said whenever practical, a vacancy will be filled by redeployment, thereby creating a saving for government. Vacancies are not advertised externally unless there is a ‘demonstrable requirement’ to do so.

AROUND 9,200 gas customers are poised to enjoy a welcome New Year cut of up to £337 a year on their bills.

But 14,500 households in Douglas and Onchan will face the prospect of forking out an extra £24 a year on average for their gas.

The new all-island central heating tariff was unveiled on Tuesday as Manx Gas prepared to complete the final stage of its exhaustive natural gas conversion project, in Ballaugh.

And project boss Aidan Baglow, 42, revealed that not only has the scheme been completed bang on target to the day but it has been done under budget.

A sum of £23 million was initially set for the two year conversion but in the end it cost £19.5 million. Mr Baglow said: ‘The project has brought natural gas to 6,700 additional customers in the north, south and west of the island.

‘This project has been several years in the planning and two years in the execution and this week in Ballaugh we finish our very last conversion sector on Friday. It’s been a very successful and large infrastructure project for the island on behalf of the Isle of Man Government that owns the cross island pipeline that serves these customers.

‘The project has been delivered safely on time and on budget for our customers and we’re delighted with that. It’s been very very different from the experience in Douglas in 2003. We’ve focused completely on delivering this to customers. We’ve had a dedicated customer support unit and support team.

‘The introduction of an all-island central heating tariff will bring a bit of equity to the island’s central heating market. Which means that everyone pays the same for their central heating regardless of where they live in the island.’

He explained that prior to the project customers who were served by LPG or Towns Gas paid ‘considerably more’ for their fuel than customers who were on natural gas. That will now be equalised from January.

He said: ‘It means people in Douglas will have to pay a small amount more, equivalent to around a £24 a year rise for the average customer.

‘But for the 6,700 customers who have had their gas conversions it means a significant decrease in the region of £240 to £337 a year.’

The same decrease will also apply to 2,500 customers still on LPG and those using mini bulk tank and cylinder heating, explained Mr Baglow.

• Read more on this in Monday’s Isle of Man Examiner

CONTINGENCY plans to operate public transport services during next week’s planned three-day bus drivers’ strike have been unveiled.

The Department of Community Culture and Leisure confirmed that some buses, trains and trams will be running during the strike which is being held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Schools will be open as normal and DCCL Minister Graham Cregeen MHK said secondary schools would have ‘comprehensive public transport options’. He said Bus Vannin intended to operate its Sunday service and Bank Holiday timetable and Night Owl service would be operating as planned every night to ensure that festive partygoers could get home safely.

School services available during the strike are planned to run as follows:

Queen Elizabeth II High School – normal bus services will operate

Ramsey Grammar School – trams will mirror Route 3 and other buses will operate as normal

St Ninian’s/Bemahague High School and Ballakermeen High School – some buses will be required to make two runs to provide the normal routes. This will mean some students will arrive at school later than usual. DEC have approved this and allowances will be made for these students.

Castle Rushen High School From Port Erin and Port St Mary – the Steam Railway will serve using a temporary platform at School Hill. The train will also stop at Castletown Station. The station will be lit and have shelter and temporary traffic signals will serve to ensure safe crossing at School Hill.

King William’s College – Steam Railway will serve Castletown Station and Ronaldsway Halt

Some journeys may be retimed and details will be available on www.iombusandrail.info. Arrangements for primary schools will be published later.

For other bus services, the department has advised the public to consult the Sunday and Bank Holiday services in the Bus Vannin timetable. These are available online at {http://www.busandrail.info|www.busandrail.info} or {http://www.gov.im/dccl|www.gov.im/dccl} and at the Welcome Centre in the Sea Terminal in Douglas.

Car parking is available at the NSC and Bowl Stadium. The NSC and Bowl Stadium are within a 20-minute walking distance to the centre of Douglas and bus services 1 and 2 every 30 minutes and service 21B to Douglas town centre serves every hour on a Sunday timetable.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/bus-drivers-vote-for-three-day-strike-1-5222765|Bus strike announced}

In addition to bus services, the department will be utilising the Steam Railway and the Manx Electric Railway (MER) to replace services 1 and 2 south of Castletown and the whole of service 3. The department intends to operate the steam railway every 90 minutes; the MER will be running every 30 minutes. Both will have extra services at peak and school times.

A special bus will link Derby Castle with the centre of Douglas and St Ninian’s, Bemahague and Ballakermeen High Schools at the appropriate times.

Full bus and rail timetables will be available online as soon as possible at {http://www.busandrail.info|www.busandrail.info}, {http://www.gov.im/dccl|www.gov.im/dccl} and at the Welcome Centre, which is open from 8am to 6pm, closed on Sundays.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/train-will-take-strain-in-event-of-bus-strike-1-5189856|How we revealed the plan to use the steam train}

Mr Cregeen said: ‘I am disappointed that it has come to this point and I am still hopeful that a negotiated settlement can be reached without industrial action.

‘However, the department is well prepared for the strike and will endeavour to minimise disruption to the public.’

Drivers who are members of the Unite union voted overwhelmingly for strike action in a dispute over changes to their terms and conditions, including the loss of paid lunch breaks. They say the changes will result in their losing up to £3,000 in pay.

Nick Black, chief executive officer of the DCCL said: ‘We are confident that we can still operate an effective, albeit reduced, bus service throughout the strike.

‘Bus drivers who are not members of Unite the Union are not permitted to strike and will be working.

‘In addition to these drivers, the department will be using casual drivers as well as other public transport staff who hold PPV licences. We are also seeking to recruit additional casual staff.

‘Any Manx workers who hold a valid PPV and are available for work during strike periods are invited to apply to work as a casual worker with the department.’

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/bus-drivers-to-be-balloted-for-strike-1-5166790|What the dispute is about}

CAROLS by Candlelight is on offer this Sunday, December 16, at 6.30pm, at The Parish Church of Christ Church, Dhoon.

Dhoon School choir and harpists will take part in the service, which will be followed by refreshments.

Then on Christmas Eve the church is holding its Christingle Service at 4pm along with a Blessing of the Crib. A Christingle is a symbolic object used in the advent services, and consists of an orange representing the world; a red ribbon around it representing the blood of Christ; sweets or dried fruits on sticks pushed into the orange, representing the fruits of the earth and the seasons; and a lit candle in the centre of the orange, representing Christ as the light of the world.

Christmas Day is the church’s family service with communion at 10.30am.

This Anglican church says it offers an Ecumenical welcome, and serves the communities of The Corony, Glen Mona, The Dhoon in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Maughold and South Ramsey with the churches of St Paul’s Ramsey and Kirk Maughold.

IS the Lord Street police station another government white elephant?

That was the suggestion in Tynwald after it emerged that the value of the property was significantly lower than the sum invested in the building.

Castletown MHK Richard Ronan had asked Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK what the Constabulary’s long-term plans were for the police station and whether the development had offered value for money.

Mr Watterson replied that 69 people, police officers, civil servants, and members of the Special Constabulary, work out of Lord Street police station.

He said the future plans for the existing Lower Douglas station are closely linked with the redevelopment of Lower Douglas.

Mr Watterson said the Constabulary wanted to maintain an appropriate and accessible police station in the centre of Douglas but the desire to maintain local police stations had to be constantly reviewed in the light of the available budget.

‘The existing situation in terms of the deployment of officers and the location of the station cannot necessarily be guaranteed,’ he said, adding that the template for future development may well be similar to the situation in Ramsey, where the police shares facilities with the Town Commissioners.

He said the development of the Lord Street base had been considered essential to make the building already there into a viable and operational police station.

However, he said the department’s assets were valued at £2.6 million in March this year which was lower than the original purchase price and cost of conversion, which totalled £3.7 million.

He said the cost of conversion was just under £1 million, and £2.6 million was paid for the site.

Mr Ronan asked the minister: ‘Does he in hindsight believe that the police station should have been built and does he believe it is now a white elephant?’

Mr Watterson replied: ‘I think what I would say is that, perhaps in this day and age, we would not have started from here.’

Meanwhile, Onchan Commissioners are looking at the village’s now closed police station in Onchan with a view to converting it in housing units.

l Email opinions@newsiom.co.im

A TYNWALD select committee is to investigate the future of public service broadcasting.

Speaker Steve Rodan had tabled a Tynwald motion asking the court to reaffirm its commitment to Manx Radio as the national broadcaster with the government subvention continuing at a level to deliver public service broadcasting for the next three years.

But Tynwald instead supported an amendment by Community, Culture and Leisure Minister Graham Cregeen (Malew and Santon) that a select committee be set up to examine the cost, scope, policy and delivery of services.

An earlier debate was postponed in October after it emerged an alternative proposal was being considered by the Department of Economic Development.

Isle of Man Newspapers revealed the proposal, drawn up by 3FM managing director Ron Berry, envisaged Manx Radio, Energy FM and 3FM all operating under one roof at Broadcasting House. Instead of being used to fund programming, the government subvention – cut this year to £850,000 – would be used to provide the infrastructure for all three stations.

The committee will be made up of Mr Rodan, Richard Ronan (Castletown) and Zac Hall (Onchan).

DESPITE a life-long love of writing, Douglas author Diane Batty has never had any of her work published until now.

But at the age of 51 the muse took her and she penned the first in what she hopes will be a series of children’s books - The Blue Bear Racers: Poppy Meets Teppi and Tunis.

‘My two great passions are collecting teddy bears and creative writing. I have recently combined the two to produce a children’s book about teddy bears who take up motorbike racing in the Isle of Man,’ she said.

‘I’ve written things since I was 16 but never published anything before. I have done short stories and what I suppose you might call romantic thrillers but this is my first children’s book.

‘I’ve given things to friends to read occasionally and I think they have enjoyed them but that’s as far as it has gone until now.’

The idea for the book was partly inspired by her husband John who has raced bikes since 1977.

‘An over-active imagination helped me to invent little adventures for the mischievous bears to get involved in,’ she added.

Mrs Batty said she was a long-time collector of teddy bears including novelty bears as well as a couple of the sought-after Steiff bears.

‘It’s been my life’s ambition to write a book,’ she said.

‘It is aimed mainly at the five to 11 age group and it has brilliant illustrations done by a friend and work colleague Peter Mylchreest who had characterised them to look cheeky and mischievous.’

So far Mrs Batty has tested the books out on her younger children who are 16 and 13 and on friends’ children who all seem to like it.

‘It’s 42 pages and would make a nice bed-time story for the younger children. It’s funny but it also has a subliminal level for the adults to make them want to keep reading,’ she said.

Mrs Batty, who lives on Castlemona Avenue in Douglas and works as a recovery nurse at Noble’s Hospital, said she already has material written up for more books and has enjoyed putting the current one together.

‘The writing gave me a lot of amusment - it made me chuckle,’ she said.

The books cost £4.99 each and are available from Lexicon, The Bookshop and Mostly Manx in Douglas, St Paul’s Bookshop in Ramsey and from {http://www.wibblepublishing.com.wibblepublishing.com}.

OFFSHORE rivals Jersey and Guernsey are bound to follow the Isle of Man’s lead in striking a tax deal with the UK, it has been claimed.

Pressure is mounting on the Channel Islands to share information with the UK taxman about British citizens who hold bank accounts in their islands.

Meanwhile a leading Isle of Man banker says he believes the Isle of Man Government has ‘read the tea-leaves’ correctly.

And John Webster, chairman of the highly influential Manx Business Connection, has welcomed the move to share information with the UK. He says it is time to rebrand the island as an international business centre.

Mr Webster told the Manx Independent: ‘This agreement marks the beginning of a new era in the Isle of Man’s economic development and clearly distinguishes us from International Finance Centres; the island is undoubtedly a diversified International Business Centre, anyone calling us an IFC in future should be corrected immediately.

‘So what will be the Isle of Man’s niche in tomorrow’s world?

‘Understanding how to create sustainable jobs and income-generating opportunities in a world hostile to tax-driven business that is perceived to exist in International Finance Centres is vital.

‘In reality, the substance and diversification of the Isle of Man’s community and economy shows that the island is actually an International Business Centre (IBC).

‘Policies have been pushing the island in this direction for some time and it is now makes sense to rebrand the island as an IBC, emphasise the unique position and attributes of the economy, capitalise on these strengths and put clear water between the Isle of Man and those who still do not recognise the way the world is changing.

‘The conclusion is that the Isle of Man is clearly an International Business Centre – diversified, compliant with the highest standards and a great place to live and work; any other definition can only be made by the misinformed or the mischievous.’

Even as Chief Minister Allan Bell outlined the reasons for the government’s decision to adopt tax exchange information with the UK in Tynwald, the Channel Islands were still falling short of agreeing to release information on bank accounts held there to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

But speculation is growing that such an agreement is not far away.

Isle of Man tax expert Paul Hotchkiss said: ‘I cannot see Jersey and Guernsey and others not following suit – what choice will they have?’

He added: ‘I think it will only be a matter of time before other jurisdictions do the same.’

Mr Hotchkiss said despite global pressures this is the right time for the island to take the initiatives set out by Allan Bell when he announced plans to expand automatic exchange of tax information to combat tax evasion and financial crime – and reflect new international standards of co-operation, compliance and transparency.

Mr Hotchkiss said: ‘The government should be applauded for taking such a bold move ahead of our competitors.

‘It is time to think for ourselves and take hold of our economic development, part of which is to take the necessary steps to move towards transparency. I do not believe this initiative will damage the island in the long run – if anything it will dramatically enhance our reputation and put the island in a better place for the future.

‘I do not believe we will lose business except we may lose business which sits here which is linked with UK residents who have not complied with their obligations.

‘The devil is, of course, in the detail and there is a danger of wider investigations which may lead to nothing and this risk needs to be managed.

‘There will be critics of this move but it is just a question of timing: it was going to happen at some point and it was just a question of when.’

Mr Hotchkiss believes a disclosure opportunity to regularise tax affairs is in some respects a necessity. ‘It seems a strange thing to say but any such facility will in itself generate significant economic activity.’

John Coyle, a former president of the Isle of Man Bankers’ Association, told the Manx Independent that ‘2012 might well go down in the history books as one of the most important years in the development of the Isle of Man’s economy in recent decades.

‘Just when most of us thought that our most important remaining signings of 2012 were the completion of our Christmas cards, the Isle of Man Government has indicated that it intends to sign up a new tax transparency agreement with the United Kingdom, and to complete the formalities early in the New Year.’

Mr Coyle, who is chief executive officer of Standard Bank Isle of Man, added: ‘Whilst to some, such a move might come as something of a culture shock, my view is that the island once again has read the tea-leaves correctly and sought to capitalise on both its existing reputation as a co-operative and financially responsible trading partner, as well as to exploit any first mover advantage that may come from the goodwill generated.

He continued: ‘There can be no doubt that the overwhelming popular sentiment is that, in this time of seemingly unending global recession, everyone is expected to take some of the pain – whether you are a huge corporation like Starbucks or a relatively minor celebrity like Jimmy Carr.’

The Chief Minister of Jersey, Senator Ian Gorst and the Chief Minister of Guernsey, Deputy Peter Harwood, issued a joint statement in which they said: ‘We also share a common commitment with the UK to combat tax evasion and to participate in international efforts to combat financial and fiscal crime. We have long made it clear that neither island has any wish to accommodate those engaged in tax evasion.’

Senator Gorst added: ‘The UK government is seeking to promote more widely as a new international standard the principles of the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). Jersey considers that it is important that in doing so the UK Government mirrors the approach of the US FATCA in being global in its application, ensuring a non-discriminatory approach for all jurisdictions.

‘In our ongoing discussions with the UK Government we will be pressing them to make clear the steps they are taking to promote the adoption of automatic exchange of information worldwide to ensure that a level playing field is achieved for all finance centres competing in the global market place.’

A body called Jersey Finance also hinted that the island is not far from following in the Isle of Man’s footsteps.

Heather Bestwick, deputy chief executive officer of Jersey Finance, said: ‘We welcome the clear and robust statement issued jointly by the Chief Ministers of Jersey and Guernsey on the subject of ongoing discussions.

‘As the statement clearly explains, this is an important and complex matter that should be developed and agreed by a process of constructive consultation between all parties.

‘It is the view of industry that considerable work is still required to construct a solution that meets the long-term needs of the UK while at the same time avoiding the very real risks of disproportionate costs in terms of implementation and compliance, and unintended consequences that might unduly harm the international competiveness of Jersey and Guernsey.

‘As a representative body for the finance industry in Jersey, we welcome our government’s call for such a consultative approach and believe that this reflects Jersey’s long-standing co-operative relationship with the UK and our commitment to adherence with international standards that are applied on a level playing field basis.’

• Read more from Mr Coyle and Mr Webster in Monday’s Examiner

POLICE are appealing for information following an incident which took place on Loch Promenade in Douglas, near to the junction of Walpole Avenue, at 3am today (Saturday).

A man was assaulted and has received head injuries. He is currently being treated at Noble’s Hospital and is in a serious condition.

Inspector Mark Newey said: ‘This is a very serious incident where a man has received significant injuries and I would like any witnesses who were in the vicinity around this time to come forward and help with the on-going enquiries.

‘Police understand that a man involved in this incident was picked up from that location by an unknown vehicle just after the incident and I am looking for the driver of that vehicle to come forward as well.

‘The matter is being investigated by officers from across the Constabulary, led by detectives from the criminal investigations department.’

Anyone who has information about this incident should contact Police Headquarters on 631212. A reward may be payable as a result of information.

You may also contact Isle of Man Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

THIS year sees the health visiting and school nursing profession celebrate 150 years of providing healthcare to families.

To mark the occasion a celebration was held at Crookall House, which included afternoon tea, a celebratory cake, and a presentation by Cath Quilliam, director of community nursing, on the health-visiting and school nursing journey from 1862 to the present day.

Health visitors can trace the start of their profession back to 1862 with the establishment of home visitors providing improvement in environmental and public health across communities. Home visitors were a ‘mother’s friend’, taking a practical approach to tackling the causes of ill health in children and families, including sanitation and diet.

Health visitors have helped to make sure that through working with families, babies and young children get the best start in life – through initiatives such as immunisation, breast-feeding and general support.

School nursing joined the public health nursing movement in the early 1900s when its role was primarily about improving school attendance. The school nursing service today continues to have a vital role in improving the physical and emotional health of the island’s children and young people.

Cath Quilliam said: ‘The start of life is a crucial time for children and parents, presenting an excellent opportunity to improve health outcomes for Isle of Man communities. I am very proud of our health visiting and school nursing teams who are so dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people in the Isle of Man. The teams work closely with a range of agencies, enabling children and young people to access health and welfare services that assist them in reaching their full potential.

‘Health visiting and school nursing in 2012 has much to celebrate and equally much to look forward to as we strive to improve services to children, young people and their families to achieve the best possible health outcomes.’

To mark the occasion a timeline was displayed, which was compiled from information provided by staff past and present. The timeline marked the journey from 1862 to the present day and included historical and current photographs of both school nurses and health visitors in daily practice.

The event included a quiz about the history of community nursing and a caption competition: ‘What did she say to the health visitor?’.

Political member for health services, Dudley Butt MLC, said: ‘It is important for the Department of Health to acknowledge and celebrate the rich history of the healthcare profession in the Isle of Man. In doing so, we recognise the dedicated care and commitment given – in this instance to children and their families – by the profession in the past and present, while also looking to the future.

‘The level of talent and expertise found in our community health professionals ensures that the long history of community nursing on the island continues to advance, encompassing the highest levels of both preventative and therapeutic care.’

A TEENAGER has been charged in connection with an assault in Douglas in which a man received serious head injuries.

A 17-year-old youth from Douglas will appear in court tomorrow (Monday) charged with one offence of causing grievous bodily harm.

Police confirmed that the man injured in the alleged assault on Loch Promenade, near to the junction of Walpole Avenue, at 3am on Saturday is a 33-year-old from Peel.

He was transferred on Saturday afternoon via air ambulance to Liverpool and is currently being treated at Walton Neurological Hospital for serious head injuries.

Two members of the injured man’s family are present with him, and they are being kept informed of the investigation by local officers who have also travelled to Liverpool.

Police are appealing for the occupants of a dark coloured car which left the area of Bordellos nightclub around the time of the alleged assault to come forward. The car is known to have driven down Walpole Avenue towards Lord Street.

Inspector Phil Shimmin said: ‘This is a serious incident and I would appeal for anyone who saw what happened who hasn’t yet been spoken to by the Police to come forward, so that we have a full picture of what happened.

‘I’d like to thank those who have come forward so far. There has been a great deal of speculation in relation to this matter, particularly on social networking websites, and there is a great deal of misinformation in the public domain in relation to what is alleged to have occurred. I can’t be specific about how the injured man sustained his injuries, but I would like to reassure the public that no weapons were used in this incident and I would appeal for members of the public not to make statements on websites which are not based on fact.’

Anyone with information about this incident should contact police headquarters on 631212 or Isle of Man Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

THE Isle of Man remains the only place in the British Isles to have banned the legal high MDAI.

Health Minister David Anderson MHK told Tynwald he was going against the advice of the experts and wanted to renew a temporary ban of 5,6-Methylenedioxy-2-aminoindan for a further 12 months.

He told the court: ‘I have taken the view that reversing the ban now will send a confusing and potentially risky message to the public.’

Tynwald first outlawed the drug in December last year in response to the death of Ramsey teenager Tanya Hughes.

At the inquest into the death of the 17-year-old, Tanya’s father John urged the authorities to come together to stop the availability of legal highs and their exposure to youngsters.

Recording a verdict of misadventure, Coroner John Needham described the former Ramsey Grammar School pupil’s death as a ‘great tragedy’ and he recommended that MDAI was added to the list of controlled substances.

But while the Isle of Man temporarily banned the substance, it has not been banned in the UK.

Mr Anderson told Tynwald last week that the temporary ban was due to end with effect from December 31 and so long as the UK continues not to ban it, the island will have to keep introducing a new order every 12 months to maintain a ban here.

He said: ‘Members may recall that in 2010, toxicity of MDAI was given as a cause of death in a local case brought before the Coroner of Inquests.

‘The Isle of Man Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs [ACMD] recommended it should be specified as a controlled drug subject to the same restrictions as other potentially dangerous drugs in respect of importation, exportation, production, supply and possession.’

Powers to temporarily specify a substance as a controlled drug were introduced in 2010 as a result of the need to urgently ban the drug mephedrone, also known as ‘plant food’.

But unlike plant food, the UK has not banned MDAI and the recent advice of the UK ACMD has again included no recommendation to ban the substance.

And taking into account the advice of local health professionals, the Isle of Man ACMD has now also recommended Mr Anderson’s department lift the ban.

But the minister told Tynwald last week: ‘Given that MDAI was considered to be a cause of death, I feel that it would be prudent to continue the ban of MDAI, if only to try and prevent a future tragedy.

‘Although it might be argued that the original ban could be considered a borderline decision, I consider that removing the ban now would be an even greater mistake, and confusing to the public.’

Tynwald voted unanimously to approve the order continuing the temporary ban.

STAY crime-free this Christmas.

That’s the message from the Isle of man Constabulary which has issued a list of things we can all do to keep thieves at bay and look after those around us.

Crime prevention officer Mike Radcliffe said: ‘Experience shows that as throughout the rest of the year, the majority of offences comitted during the holiday period are opportunist crimes.

‘We all want to enjoy Christmas and New Year but unfortunately as I tend to say every year, if we are not careful we can inadvertently make it easy for the criminals by failing to take basic precautions. Let’s try to have a crime-free Christmas this year – think security.’

Keep your home secure

Remember to lock all windows and doors when going out, even if you’re only nipping next door to the neighbours’.

Use timer switches for lights when your house is left unoccupied.

Don’t leave keys in door locks.

Keep valuables such as handbags, mobile phones and vehicle keys well away from front and back doors.

Where possible, lock cars in garages.

Keep presents hidden away before Christmas

If possible, keep presents hidden away out of view until Christmas day. Also remember – don’t leave valuables on display under the Christmas tree after the presents have been opened.

This is an ideal opportunity to check that you know what valuables you normally have in the house (TV’s, games machines, etc). You should check your insurance to make sure you are covered for the value of goods in your home.

If you ‘hide’ or store larger items such as bicycles in a garden shed or outbuilding, make sure they are very secure.

Keep an eye on your neighbour

Please keep an eye on your neighbours’ homes. This can help to prevent burglary and also be useful where the homeowners are elderly, particularly during to cold weather.

Thinking about New Year’s resolutions? Why not consider setting up a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in your area?

If going away – tell a neighbour

Don’t forget to tell someone if you are going away over the holiday period so they can watch your home.

Use timer switches for lights when you are away.

Don’t forget to cancel newspapers and milk. Have your neighbour take post into the house – unopened Christmas cards and letters are a sure sign that a house is empty.

Think security with new presents

Bicycles are always popular Christmas presents. Remember to write down serial numbers of all valuable presents and where possible mark your postcode on the item. If you are unlucky enough to have a present stolen, you have a much better chance of getting them back if you can supply us with the serial number.

Also remember to note down the serial numbers of new electrical equipment for future reference.

Be aware that empty boxes left outside could advertise that you have new goods inside – dispose of packing carefully.

A ROW broke out in Douglas Council following a proposal to ban the use of electronic equipment in council meetings.

In a brisk 20-minute debate, council chairman David Christian said that it was ‘human nature’ to want to open an email and he felt it likely that members would end up ‘playing solitaire or logging onto Facebook’ during sessions if electronic devices were allowed in chambers.

The order required that the use of electronic equipment within a council meeting should not be acceptable, and that this included committee meetings.

Leading the debate against was Bill Malarkey (Murray’s) who felt such a ban would be a ‘backward step’ after all the money spent on reducing large volumes of unnecessary paper and buying council members iPads.

‘We need to move with the times,’ he argued.

Councillor John Skinner (Murray’s) felt the wording was ambiguous and perhaps a ‘blanket ban was not intended’, but use of mobile phones alone could be barred.

There was considerable alarm from Councillor Ritchie McNicholl (Murray’s) who said: ‘Members should give 100 per cent in meetings, or not be here.

‘A member could easily miss the context of an important agenda item whilst replying to a text and then vote under a misapprehension.’

Concerns were raised by John Faragher (Derby) who said it would be an issue for him to be uncontactable for four hours.

‘If I get an urgent email from a client or staff member, I feel I should be able to send them a 30 second reply to resolve the problem.’

Responding, Mr McNicholl said that it was pretty sad that people couldn’t do without their mobiles.

‘Anyone wishing to take an emergency call should get up and leave the chamber’ he said. Before adding that he could not recall such an occasion in all his years.

Taking back the amendment, chairman David Christian said that they had managed without them for 115 years.

‘We changed from laptops to iPads mainly for reasons of lower maintenance, security and replacement costs – not for paperless reasons,’ he said.

ROYAL London 360° has appointed Angela Gregory to the role of communications executive in the marketing team at its Head Office in the Isle of Man.

Angela will be responsible for communicating the busy offshore life provider’s message, promoting its brand both on-island and internationally.

Educated in the Isle of Man at Ballaquayle Infants’ School, Murray’s Road Junior School and King William’s College, Angela went on to study English Language and Literature at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, before obtaining a post-graduate qualification in journalism from Sheffield College.

She has been employed for the last 12 years as a journalist with Isle of Man Newspapers, working in a senior role on all aspects of news and business.

‘I am looking forward to hitting the ground running here at RL360°,’ said Angela. ‘It is an energetic company with a strong brand and I hope to help build on that using the skills I have developed during more than a decade’s work in the communication industry.

‘It’s a new challenge and one I relish.’

Nigel Danzelman, RL360°’s marketing services and communications manager, said: ‘We are delighted to take on someone with the kind of communications experience Angela possesses. She is a welcome addition to the RL360° marketing team.’

Monday, December 17

(March 21 - April 20)

Lighting your way this week is your natural sense of romance. The way that you empathise with others makes you a popular choice as a soulmate. Of course, you may have other ideas. If so, be prepared to let someone down lightly. The festive spirit ignites old and new passions, which need swift action. Bring about a better understanding between two rivals by taking a practical approach.

Taurus

(April 21 - May 21)

You are a bit of a puzzle to those around you this week. They may think that you are hiding secret holiday plans, but it is more than that. Decide this week what you intend to make public and what you will keep close to your chest. During all of this intrigue, don’t be so busy that you miss a signal. Someone who interests you deeply is showing signs of wanting to know more about you.

Gemini

(May 22 - June 21)

Mercury is already urging better communications with loved ones and extra effort is rewarded. With Venus, bringer of love, on your tail, you are in for a special holiday! Take care not to stock up on too many presents as a busy time overtakes you this week. Showing the will to make this holiday special encourages others to get a move on. Involve younger relatives.

Cancer

(June 22 - July 23)

Being always one step ahead you are sure to be pretty organised for the upcoming holiday. Allow plenty of time, however, when planning that diary. Last-minute invitations bring romance but you don’t want to be cancelling loved ones to pursue it. If someone really wants your company, then they will be willing to be flexible. Link your future more to younger people.

Leo

(July 24 - August 23)

Lost in the happy fog of Christmas? Let others give a hand with the plotting, planning and wrapping. This is much appreciated by younger members of the family and grandma! Expect mixed feelings at the weekend regarding an old love who has found someone new. Being honest with yourself helps but this is the ideal time of the year to move on.

Virgo

(August 24 - September 23)

In the lull between now and the holidays, give a thought to older members of the family. Sometimes there is not a second chance to make the time special for them. People who you see infrequently appreciate your time now more than those who see you all the time. Plans need to be flexible to allow for travel delays and periods of thin finances. This is where your talents come into play!

Libra

(September 24 - October 23)

Romance is in the air with Venus, bringer of love, looking over your shoulder. Avoid falling in love with love itself, or face a shock. It is hard for you to be practical at this time of year, but try. Long-term love may seem to evade you and present relationships seem lacking. However, it is nothing that time and hope will not cure. Be brave!

Scorpio

(October 24 - November 22)

Both Mercury the messenger and Venus bringer of love are urging you on. Your charm and charisma are at a peak. This does not mean that everyone will fall at your feet. It could mean, however, that there is a chance to let your feelings be known. Looking for excuses or continuing to procrastinate will simply not do. Take your courage in both hands and make a move.

Sagittarius

(November 23 - December 21)

Getting others to communicate and compromise is your main goal this week. Much as you may try not to become involved in someone else’s plans, it cannot be avoided. Spend plenty of time with your loved one, and not just talking about others! Quality is important in all things, especially if they are small. What is the point in going for big if it is not beautiful?

Capricorn

(December 22 - January 20)

You know how to work hard at things. Such an approach may not be needed right now. Someone who really wants to help is suggesting that you take things easier. Will you let others take up the slack? There is little to defend yourself against and everything to gain. Be open-minded and trust your instincts far more for the best results.

Aquarius

(January 21 - February 19)

Being a party animal is not always your first choice. This week, however, you seem to have a bit more energy. Also your imagination has been stirred. Is love spurring you on? Make the most of the lighter side of this holiday and be prepared to try things which are new to you. Do you want to make some fresh starts? Looking to the new year suddenly seems exciting.

Pisces

(February 20 - March 20)

Forward planning does not just involve the upcoming holiday this week. A suggestion for a summer or spring getaway seems attractive. Try to avoid being suspicious of someone who is only trying to be positive. Light-hearted love is more the norm at the moment than long-term bonds. This should suit you pretty well given your present restlessness.

WORK on the new South Barrule Adventure Park has swung into action.

A team of volunteers, who are not in education, employment or training (NEETS), have been erecting mobile platforms as the work forges ahead.

As planning permission for the site has yet to be granted, project ;leader Steve Salter explained that none of the platforms are permanent and could easily be dismantled.

‘But I would be disappointed if full approval were not granted given the level of positive feedback we have received from the public,’ he said.

The Health and Safety Inspectorate has already paid a site visit and granted its approval.

Fomer UNITE Union representative Mr Salter said: ‘I have been especially happy to see a huge change in the attitude of the volunteers. They have gelled as a team and are really, really motivated.

‘When we open full-time some of these guys will be getting jobs, it would be brilliant to see them come off benefits’

The willing team have started thinking ahead and tasks are being done without prompting.

Steve has to fill three full-time and six full-time seasonal positions before the adventure course opens at Easter next year.

They have been on-site two days a week for nearly two months and he is talking to the Department of Economic Development (DED) about a structured work placement training package.

The package will cover areas such as construction, landscaping, site clearance, joinery skills, first aid and classroom work.

The ‘Ape-Mann Adventure Course’ is billed as the ideal place to release you inner Tarzan or Jane. It will take at least two and half hours to complete.

The grand finale will be an adrenalyn-inducing 250-metre zip wire slide.

Plans include a log cabin, swings, obstacles, scramble nets, vertical climb sections, and a range of high rope activities all set in the magnificent South Barrule plantation.

The park is billed as an example of the reinvention of Manx tourism, basing itself around the island’s natural resources.

Mr Salter added: ‘ I would like to personally thank DEFA Minster Phil Gawne for having the confidence to facilitate this venture, and I don’t say this lightly, but he deserves credit for his involvement.’

TODAY (Monday) marks the 50th anniversary of a pioneering new recruit for the Isle of Man Constabulary.

PD Rex Corlett was the first police dog enlisted into the force back in 1962 along with his handler PC Henry Corlett.

Although things have moved on since the days of police boxes and Wolseley cars with bells, the island’s dog unit remains and now has 13 dogs.

Five handlers have two dogs each and there are currently three in training.

Sergeant Ian Kelly is in charge of the dog unit after previously working with Greater Manchester Police.

‘Each handler will have a general police dog as well as a drugs detection dog,’ he said. ‘They go home each night with the handler and are kennelled with them.’

‘The dogs are brilliant because they extend what we can do. For example, a burglar might be able to run faster than us – but he’ll not outrun the dog which is trained to bring him down and keep him there.’

For general work such as crowd control, chasing suspects or finding missing people, the force uses alsatians or Belgian shepherd dogs, which are similar to alsatians but less thick-set and with more ginger coats.

The dogs undergo a 12-week training course along with their handlers and are then certified as a pair at the end.

There are occasional failures, such as the dog recently who officially passed the course then decided he was a pacifist.

‘He just decided he didn’t want to bite anyone,’ Sergeant Kelly said.

‘He’ll make a brilliant pet but not much good for police work. He’s living the life of Riley down in the New Forest now.’

‘The beauty of them is they can go to a burglary and then track a burglar who may be hiding in a garden nearby.

‘Also, burglars conceal items nearby to collect later so the dogs are good at finding and recovering stolen goods.’

Dogs and trainers undergo a reassessment each year and most of the dogs are given to them by people who can’t cope with them.

The force currently has just one explosives detection dog but hopes to have a second one in the near future.

Out on the field by the police station Apollo demonstrated with enthusiasm how to detain a fleeing suspect – in this case a hapless Sergeant Kelly with a fortuitously padded arm.

‘Of course it’s all a big game to him. He doesn’t know he’s stopping a burglar. The reward is he gets to keep the arm,’ he said, as Apollo trotted triumpantly away, worrying the huge padded tube.

‘He’s quite soft really,’ added Constable McNally as Apollo took a flying leap into his arms and licked his face.

The dogs have to be house-trained and fit to live with a family – not too exuberant.

A variety of training venues are used from farmers’ fields – offered for the purpose – to empty buildings like the old Imperial and Castle Mona Hotels and, recently, Park Road School.

‘We did have one that was fine at sniffing things out but put him in a house and it was as if a tornado had gone through it,’ said Sergeant Kelly.

‘So much energy! He would wrap himself in the phone or television wires, then run off round the corner with the obvious consequences.’

Call for explosives detection is not huge in the Isle of Man but they are routinely used for parades, Tynwald Day and other occasions which could be a terrorist target.

Despite the relatively low need here in the Isle of Man, it’s cheaper to have our own than bring them over when needed.

The drugs detection dogs are mainly springer spaniels trained using small samples of the real drugs so they can identify the smell. The same goes for the explosives, which are precisely weighed out and weighed back in.

‘Some people seem to think we get them addicted to the drugs so they crave it but that’s not true,’ Sergeant Kelly said.

‘You just need to know what makes them tick – for some it’s playing with a ball and they’ll do anything for that and for others it’s food.

The dogs are also trained to detect money – which has a specific scent, apparently – and will indicate large amounts of cash which could be proceeds from crime or money laundering.

‘We’ve taken a few quantities of cash and no one has ever applied to get them back, which I think speaks for itself,’ Sergeant Kelly said.

Apart from having a visible presence at the Sea Terminal in Douglas the drugs dogs can be invaluable in house searches.

‘We had one instance where items were well hidden underneath floor boards,’ said Sergeant Kelly.

‘Without the dog we’d never have known that because you just can’t start ripping up floor boards on the off-chance.’

As we talked, a call came from the sorting office. An hour later Constable McNally returned with two packages of cannabis, wrapped up in innocuous padded envelopes.

‘People try all sorts of things to disguise it,’ he said.

‘It’s often in vacuum-sealed plastic now and people do things like putting it with coffee to mask the scent but it never fools the dogs.

‘The post office are very good at identifying packages that don’t seem quite as they should be, but we can only open the Royal mail if the dog indicates something that shouldn’t be there.’

At a special presentation on Friday, Deputy Chief Constable Gary Roberts welcomed the 20 surviving members of the police dog handling service and presented them with commemorative mugs and certificates.

‘It is a science now which it was not then, though the same skill and dedication was present,’ he said.

He recalled being a policeman on the beat and answering a call from a dog handler.

‘As I drove along the prom I saw the dog van going back the other way. Later I found out it had been stolen with the dog still in it,’ he said, adding: ‘Thank you for coming: it’s important to remember our history and where we came from.’

Graham Priest, now 67, started with the dog unit in 1973. His drugs dog Sam appeared on television and on the front of the national papers after assisting in 22 arrests during TT Week and his alsatian Rex was the only civilian dog at the time to perform with the RAF display team.

Roger Payne, now 70, was a handler from 1966 to 74.

‘We only had one patrol car in those days,’ he said. ‘It made a big difference when we got a van.’

‘We used to get the Hell’s Angels over at TT then and the dogs were a big asset for crowd control, whereas now a lot of the function is searching.’

BUS bosses say they’ve been told some drivers were intimidated into voting to go on strike.

Today’s Isle of Man Examiner has more on the story.

On the front page, we reveal how many parcels have been seized by Customs officers.

It’s part of a special report in which reporter John Turner joined the police’s dog unit.

Inside we report on our ‘Don’t cut us off!” campaign. Hundreds of readers have cut out our petition form and joined us in calling for our Irish Sea routes to be kept clear. They’ve been threatened by plans for more and more wind farms between the island and England.

Our page 3 story features Katherine Crowe. She was on page 1 of the Manx Independent as she launched her bid to become Christmas No1. Today’s Examiner reveals how far she’s got.

There’s also a story featuring Charles ‘Buster’ Lewin. It’s part of the long-running legal dispute that followed him being sacked as clerk to Braddan Commissioners.

The situation in the courts features on page 4. Dudley Butt MLC, who was once in charge of prosecutions for the police, says it would be cheaper and more cost-effective to take summary prosecutions away from the Attorney-General’s office and return them to the police.

The Examiner also reveals that it could cost thousands of pounds to repair the BMX track in Noble’s Park, Douglas, less than a year after it opened.

Our coverage of the problems of savers with the Lewis Group continues inside. You might remember that the suspension of the multi-million fund has made front-page news twice. We report on a member of staff who fears they’ve lost their savings too. The winding-up date has also been set.

This week’s paper also includes a report on the inquest into the death of a 91-year-old car passenger. Her carer fell asleep at the wheel.

Brian Blessed was in the island recently. Our Terry Cringle (and quite a lot of others) had lunch with him.

This week’s Examiner includes your 16-page Business Word. It looks at the biomed cluster and includes a report on a meeting we held about the e-gaming sector.

We also look forward to what the business world can expect in 2013.

In our business news coverage, John Webster, the chairman of Manx Business Connection, describes the Isle of Man as ‘the world’s most open and transparent country’.

On the back page there’s a picture of Harlequins celebrating victory and a report on DHS Old Boys’ game with Laxey.

Comprehensive football coverage is inside, plus a nostalgia special on MotoGP.

The island’s favourite newspaper is in the shops now.

PEEL’s two beaches were the target of volunteers when Beach Buddies staged its final ‘Big Team Beach Clean’ before Christmas.

A team of 17 joined in the event and removed every piece of rubbish from both the town’s main beach and Fenella beach, filling 12 bin bags.

They also found some large items, including a huge piece of rope from a ship.

‘Big Team’ sessions have been held at Ballaugh, Ramsey, Perwick Bay, Castletown, Douglas, Kirk Michael, Glen Wyllin, Glen Mooar and Peel in recent weeks, leaving each beach spotlessly clean afterwards.

Beach Buddies founder Bill Dale said: ‘We have had around 150 different volunteers take part in cleaning sessions during the last few months and I am very grateful to each and every one of them for their support. It has made a really big difference.

‘What’s really encouraging is that the majority of the volunteers have never been involved in organised beach cleaning before, and many of them have been turning up regularly. This is really positive for the future of our beaches, and especially for the wildlife and marine life which lives in that environment.

‘I think 2013 could be a really fantastic year for our volunteers, making a genuine and noticeable difference and finally getting a grip on a problem which has been ignored for far too long in the past.’

Further team sessions will be staged again in the New Year, although an extra beach clean may take place during the Christmas holidays, depending on the weather.

Further details about Beach Buddies sessions can be found of the Facebook pages (Beach Buddies Isle of Man) or by email on beachbuddies@manx.net