Plans to run the Post Office as a state-owned private company have been thrown into disarray - after Tynwald voted down most of the recommendation in a report proposing corporatisation.

After a long debate, the court voted to receive the report on the structure for Isle of Man Post Office written by independent consultant Elmar Toime.

But the only one of his recommendations that won Tynwald backing was that the Post Office be transformed from a statutory board into a company owned by the government and established under Manx company law.

Five other recommendations were rejected - including the proposal that the Treasury Minister be the sole shareholder and that Tynwald approve a memorandum of understanding on the Post’s purpose, aims and objectives.

Critics claimed that the corporatisation proposal was put forward without any clear business plan and without the memorandum of understanding having been drafted.

‘This is completely back to front’, argued Douglas East MHK Chris Robertshaw.

Juan Turner MLC said he struggled to understand the rationale for the move given the Post Office is one of the most successful areas of government. He said there was not a ‘shred of evidence’ that the current model was preventing it pursue new business opportunities.

Lib Van leader Kate Beecroft (Douglas South) said members had not been given the detailed information needed for them to be able to vote.

Malew and Santon MHK Graham Cregeen, who was sacked as Post Office chairman over his opposition to the corporatisation policy, said the move would benefit only the management and board in terms of significantly increased pay.

He said he was not opposed to changes at the Post Office but added: ‘We are being asked to jump out of the aircraft and then told as you fall to earth what parachute you are going to get and whether it will work.’

Children with life-threatening conditions can have their dreams come true through wish granting charity Make-A-Wish.

Make-A-Wish is appealing to Isle of Man residents to refer children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses to make their wish a reality.

The charity, which is currently applying for a charity-registration number in the island, grants magical wishes to enrich the lives of children from the age of three to 17.

‘A wish can be anything from being a princess for the day, to meeting a hero or going on a once in a lifetime family holiday,’ said Lucy Leeming, regional fundraising manager for the Isle of Man.

‘Whatever the child’s wish, it gives them and their family an escape from the reality of living with a life-threatening condition creating memories to treasure forever, whatever the future may hold.

‘Residents on the Isle of Man may not be aware that children are eligible to have a wish granted as we are a UK charity. However, since we started in 1986 we have granted wishes to 13 local children on the Isle of Man and we want to grant more!’

One of these children was 13-year-old Adam Lowe from Kirk Michael. In 2004, Adam was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a cancerous tumour of the bone. The tumour was on his leg and he regularly flew to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool and Birmingham Children’s Hospital for chemotherapy and surgery.

He had the cancer removed and a metal implant was placed in his leg to replace the bone.

Adam’s mum Susan said:‘Looking back it was pretty horrendous. You wonder how people cope, but you can’t not can you?’

The family heard about Make-A-Wish at Alder Hey Hospital. Adam grew up watching the TT and his dad owned a motorbike, so he wished to meet some of his motorbike heroes at the British Motorcycle Grand Prix at Donington Park.

Susan said: ‘It was very special. They took us down to the VIP area and Adam met some big stars like Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi. He had pictures taken and Nicky gave him a big print of himself on a motorbike which he has still got up in his room now.‘You don’t forget things like that. Adam chooses not to remember aspects of his treatment but the wish does definitely stand out.’

Adam is now 24-years-old, has been to university and now works in the aerospace industry.

He enjoys mountain biking and last year took part in the End2End mountain bike challenge.

Last September Adam had the metal implant in his leg replaced, as it had worn out, and he is now getting back on his feet.

To help make a dream come true for a child with a life-threatening condition visit www.make-a-wish.org.uk or call 0127 640 5070.

Campaigners are calling for reform of ‘outdated’ Manx abortion law – to give island women the same rights as those in England, Scotland and Wales.

The Campaign for Abortion Law Modernisation has invited health professionals, Tynwald members and the public to a meeting at the Legion Club in Douglas tomorrow night (Wednesday) where it will argue the case for the 1995 Termination of Pregnancy (Medical Defences) Act to be updated.

Currently, terminations are only allowed up to 24 weeks where it is necessary to preserve the woman’s life, the foetus is unlikely to survive or is seriously handicapped or within 12 weeks of conception if the pregnancy is caused by rape, incest or indecent assault.

Only a single figure number of terminations are carried out in the island each year under the 1995 Act. Women may find they have little choice but to pay up to £2,000 to have an abortion at a clinic in the UK.

‘This is all about equality,’ said CALM’s Samantha Morris.

‘It is more difficult for a woman here to have her pregnancy terminated on the grounds of danger to eithyer herself or the baby, more difficult to be seen by the requisite two permanent hospital consultants within the 24 week time limit, and, should she not meet the draconian criteria laid out in the 1995 Act, very expensive for her to attend an off-island clinic. Why are the island’s women suffering this discrimination?’

The UK’s 1967 Abortion Act allows a pregnancy of up to 24 weeks to be terminated free of charge on the NHS if two medical practitioners agree there is a risk to the physical or mental health of the woman, or a substantial risk the child would be seriously handicapped.

But the island’s legislation requires that should a woman seek a termination on the grounds of the effect on her mental health, one of the two medical practitioners must be a psychiatric consultant – for which it is understood there is a waiting list of some weeks.

Section 4 allows medical professionals to make decisions based on whether any disability of the foetus might be cured or ‘relieved over the passage of time’. Critics say that is subjective judgement based on possible future medical advances and not on the current health and well-being of the woman.

Provisions relating to termination of pregnancy due to rape, incest or sexual assault require the pregnant woman to produce an affidavit or other evidence taken under oath and for her to have made a complaint to the police as soon as was reasonable.

Campaigners says that the burden of proof required to meet the criteria of the Manx legislation can make it almost impossible for a woman to have her pregnancy terminated within the 12- week limit and so forces an already traumatised woman to travel away from home and pay for the procedure.

CALM was set up following a meeting of the Positive Action Group and Isle of Man Freethinkers, when Mara Clarke of the Abortion Support Network made a presentation about the work of her organisation.

The network helps women – most from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, but an increasing number from the Isle of Man – raise the money they need to have terminations at clinics in Great Britain.

‘Why are women penalised just because they happen to live in the Isle of Man?’ asked Miss Morris. ‘The 1995 Act is perhaps the last remaining bastion of the old, intolerant, unequal Isle of Man.

‘We respect everyone’s view on what can be a very emotive subject but our concern is with what we see as an outdated law which is against the spirit of all the equality legislation now being passed in Tynwald.

‘As this government is coming to the end of its term, we are determined to make reform of the 1995 Act a priority for the next one.’

All are welcome to attend tomorrow night’s meeting a the Legion Club, which starts at 7.30pm.

Letters: Page 18

A show that has been described as a cross between Fascinating Aida and the Spice Girls is coming to the island later this month.

Isle of Woman is a mix of raucous, sharp and witty comedy anthems, heartfelt songs and honest chat expressing life for women of a certain age presented by three women and a piano.

It stars Nicole Faraday, who played Snowball Merriman in Bad Girls.

The show takes place on Friday, April 29 at the Gaiety Theatre.

Tickets (£20.50) are available at www.villagaiety.com

A coffee morning will be held on Friday, April 22, to raise funds for the charity Motor Neurone Disease Isle of Man.

The event will take place at Onchan Methodist Church running from 10am until midday.

There will be a raffle, a cake stall and bric-a-brac.

Motor Neurone Disease is a progressive disease that attacks the nerves in the brain and spinal cord.

Island primary school pupils will ‘run for fun’ in a event being held all over the world.

Pupils will run or walk 2km of the National Sports Centre (NSC) track on Monday, May 23 as part of GO Run For Fun campaign.

GO Run For Fun aims to get as many children between the age of five and 10 running as possible and also inspire them to be more active.

A celebrity athlete, to be announced nearer the time, will start the run and mascot ‘Dart’ will also take part in the fun. The event is also being backed by sporting stars including former 60m hurdles world champion and world record holder Colin Jackson.

Last year, British athlete Jenny Meadows visited the island to start the event at the NSC.

The running campaign is the idea of Jim Ratcliffe, owner of INEOS, one of the UK’s largest manufacturing companies, who donated £1.5m to establish a charitable foundation to encourage children into running.

GO Run For Fun began in 2013 and since its launch more than 100,000 children throughout the British Isles, Europe and the USA have participated.

Kirsty Cooper, sports development officer with Manx Sport and Recreation (MSR), part of the Department of Education and Children, said: ‘Our strategy for sport highlights the importance of getting children involved in sport at an early age for their physical well-being, confidence and development.

‘The ethos of this event is having fun while walking or running and that’s very much one we share at MSR, where we encourage children to exercise for enjoyment, hopefully leading to a lifelong love of sport.

‘It’s the third year we have been chosen to host GO Run for Fun. Last year 1,394 pupils from 15 primary schools took part and we were joined by Olympic and European Championship 800 metre runner Jenny Meadows. Everyone had a great day and we are looking forward to this year’s event.’

If you would like more information contact Kirsty on 688559, email kirsty.cooper@gov.im or visit www.gorunforfun.com

You can also go to ‘GO Run for Fun’ on Facebook or follow the event on Twitter @_GRFF. Entries close on Friday, May 6.

More than £900,000 has been spend on the redesigned road scheme for Douglas promenades.

Questions about how much had been spent on design fees and other costs were raised in the House of Keys by Michael MHK Alfred Cannan.

Revised plans to redevelop Loch and Harris promenades including the creation of a ‘cultural quarter’ by the Gaiety Theatre were submitted this month.

But there’s no provision for horse trams - as the proposal to move the line onto the promenade walkways was thrown out by a planning inspector on safety grounds.

In a written reply to Mr Cannan, Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne said: ‘Following extensive consultation, a design for the new layout of the promenade, from the Bottleneck Car Park to Strathallan Crescent, was submitted for planning approval.

‘The planning inspector was generally supportive of the road design which cost approximately £914,688 for design, project management, cost consultant and planning amongst other minor items.

‘The rail and walkway elements which the inspector did not support cost approximately £381,937. ‘

The Minister told the Keys that the fees relating to the completed phase one of the promenade redevolopment totalled £149,376 while those for phase two, which was designed but never built, totalled £182,290.

The island’s food and drink sector is currently worth around £79 million accounting for some 1,400 jobs with the future offering ‘huge growth potential’.

This was the upbeat message delivered by Andrew Lees, food business development manager with the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

He was a guest speaker at the April Business Breakfast organised by the Isle of Man branch of the Institute of Directors at the Sefton Hotel in Douglas.

Director of agriculture Peter McEvoy was also at the event.

Mr Lees said: ‘Buying local is all about helping producers who can produce anything we need on the Isle of Man, where there is so much potential for growth and diversification coupled with the potential of a huge export market.

‘Seven thousand tonnes of queenies, king scallop, crab and lobster are mostly exported.’

He added: ‘Producers are stakeholders, along with farmers, fishermen etc and engaging with both producers and processors is crucial.

‘We must listen to what consumers want, they are our lifeblood and the challenge is to get processors and primary producers to understand that consumers ultimately have the power to change what retailers have on their shelves.’

Shoprite, said Mr Lees, is holding a free event where the aim is to provide an opportunity for current and aspiring Manx producers to meet leading industry representatives from the island’s food industry.

They will advise on the most relevant aspects of establishing, running and operating a food business on the Isle of Man.

Mr Lees has a pivotal role in developing the Department’s ‘food matters’ strategy which aims to grow the economic contribution of Isle of Man food and drink. The target is £125 million by 2025.

Product development is a key part of the strategy with new products for the local market to replace products that are currently imported, for example, goat’s cheese, ham, bacon etc.

Another priority is a fast reaction to develop products for new and novel markets along with new markets for high value export of quality food.

Mr Lees recently told Business News he was looking forward to engaging with food producers around the island.

At Christmas he produced a list for an ideal festive dinner comprising Manx produce.

He was formerly manager of the Tesco store in Lake road, Douglas.

Andrew said: ‘I am looking forward to working with some of the most innovative food producers I have ever seen.’

The man being touted as a potential saviour of the UK’s steel industry has a business link with the Isle of Man.

Sanjeev Gupta has already acquired some of Tata’s UK plants and now he aiming to take on Tata’s loss-making Port Talbot business

Tata has hung a ‘for sale’ sign over its strip steel operations at Port Talbot putting thousands of jobs in danger.

Now Liberty House headed by Indian tycoon Mr Gupta has come forward with a plan to buy the business.

His company’s owned by a Manx registered company called Liberty House UK – which is registered in Ramsey.

Liberty House UK was set up in 1992.

The Isle of Man’s company registry shows the Ramsey company changed its registered office last year – and also filed its annual return late for 2014.

The Financial Times recently reported that Sanjeev Gupta relocated his wife and three children to the UK from Dubai last year and his British interests are just a small fraction of his global business.

The FT reported Mr Gupta said he had plenty of ‘dry powder’ to purchase Tata Steel.

Meanwhile it’s reported that Tata has refused to say how long it is willing to hold on before pulling the plug on the operations centred around the Port Talbot hub in Wales.

The Isle of Man Arts Council has announced it is providing grants, bursaries, underwriting and loans worth more than £140,000 to 34 island organisations and individuals.

Chairman of the Arts Council Geoff Corkish MBE MLC confirmed the group will provide support for the 2016/2017 year.

Mr Corkish said the arts make an enormous contribution to the island’s prosperity, quality of life and cultural identity and a wide variety of arts activities are only enabled by support from the Arts Council.

‘Funding allows organisations to maintain venues, employ staff and run projects that are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. We enjoy a huge range of arts activity here, be they one-off performances, festivals, community events, competitions and the like.

‘They boost our quality of life and wellbeing and enhance our unique cultural identity.’

Mr Corkish added an evaluation of the year-long Island of Culture celebration in 2014 found that arts and creative industries contribute £6.4 million a year to the economy.

Emma Callin, arts development manager with the Department of Education and Children, said: ‘At the Gaiety Theatre, for example, we subsidise the amateur hire rate, without which the many talented amateur groups and artists we all enjoy would pay professional rates. That would price many of them out of the theatre and reduce participation in, and enjoyment of, the arts.

‘The creative industries is a growth sector for the Isle of Man and exposure to, and participation in, the arts is leading to more people opting for it as a career, which is also good for the economy.’

Although it announced the bulk of its funding, the Arts Council continues to consider applications throughout the year.

For more information visit www.iomarts.com

Duncan Lawrie Private Banking has appointed Steve Kelly to its experienced investment management team as part of its long-term commitment to the provision of high quality local discretionary investment.

Steve, 43, has worked in investment management for more than 12 years, most recently with Capital International Group.

He holds the highly regarded chartered wealth manager status granted by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.

‘I’m delighted to be joining Duncan Lawrie Private Banking at a particularly exciting time for the business in its 30th anniversary year,’ said Steve, who lives in Peel.

‘I was attracted by its culture and also the strong management team which is now in place, coupled with the fact that it can offer clients an investment proposition which is tailored to their individual needs and investment risk appetite.’

He added: ‘No two days are the same in our industry.

‘There are many complex issues influencing global markets and my job is to plot a pathway for our clients. I greatly enjoy talking about markets and my door is always open for clients, either in person or by telephone.’

An experienced traveller, Steve has a flat in Budapest, Hungary and enjoys different cultures.

His bucket list includes a trip to the mountainous Kurdistan.

Sue Preskey, managing director of Duncan Lawrie Banking Isle of Man said: ‘Steve is someone who brings with him considerable investment management experience.

‘I’m confident he will make a significant contribution to taking the business forward and raising its profile in the island.’ Sue has been featured in Business News recently.

ISLEXPO is a lively one-day conference taking place at the Villa Marina on Wednesday, May 25, aimed at encouraging start-ups, supporting local enterprise and motivating businesses to relocate to the island.

The event is hosted by the Department of Economic Development and is a platform for the launch of the Government’s £50m Enterprise Development Scheme.

It is designed to celebrate the best in innovation in the island and cultivate an entrepreneurial outlook in businesses at every stage of development and across all sectors.

If you are a large employer looking to inspire your team, a small business wanting to build your digital profile or a budding entrepreneur thinking of taking the plunge, ISLEXPO will have something for you.

Those taking part will enjoy a full line-up of engaging keynotes, lively panel sessions, practical masterclasses, interactive demos and unique networking opportunities.

The conference gets off to a motivational start with a few words from Sir Chris Hoy MBE on how the psychology behind achievement in sport can be applied to business.

After all, what could be more compelling than an insight into what drives Britain’s most successful Olympian of all time?

Programme highlights from the day include:

l Speakers such as international start-up expert Dale Murray CBE, former Head of Online Marketing for the Virgin Group, Alex Hunter and Jimmy Cregan, founder of Jimmy’s Iced Coffee and social media superstar.

l CPD accredited workshops hosted by Google’s Digital Garage, at which delegates learn best practice and take away top tips for enhancing their online profile.

l Informed panel discussions exploring the different ways in which to secure funding and investigating the impact of disruptive technologies on the future of business on the Island.

l A pitching contest at which entrepreneurs battle it out in front of a panel of experts and a room of investors, with live audience polling.

www.islexpo.com to register for free and receive regular agenda updates.

A council report proposing a four-tier strategy to deal with dog fouling in the streets of Douglas has been met with ridicule by Douglas councillors.

The report proposed a range of responses depending on how a so-called dog fouling hot spot was rated on a one to four scale.

The excrement action plan suggested responses which included stencilled warnings on pavements in ‘level one’ areas. Full forces of enforcement, including uniformed wardens (not wearing high visibility clothing) and possible CCTV were to be mobilised for the most faeces-afflicted level four hot spots.

Speaking against the proposal, council leader David Christian said it was more important simply to put wardens in the street to enforce fixed penalties against offenders.

‘How much time has been spent putting this load of old clap-trap together? It’s dog fouling wherever it is in the borough,’ he said.

‘Our wardens need to be out there and doing something about it. If they are overstretched because they are managing car parks then something needs to be done about it. This is about staffing because we are not getting the money from the Department of Infrastructure. It’s in the same areas and it’s the same people, because the majority of dog owners are fine. And shoving the bags in the hedge is also unacceptable.

‘Householders who end up having to clear it up are not interested in levels one, two, three and four,’ he said.

‘This is going to take someone weeks to administer. Please take this report back and confine it to the bin.’

Councillor David Ashford was of a similar opinion.

‘This report contains zone after zone and hot spot after hot spot. We need some fines and prosecutions, not someone trying to decide what category hot spot it is. What next? Do we do the same for littering?’ he said.

Councillor Karen Angela said if she could pick up after two great danes it should not be beyond the capability of other people to show similar consideration.

Counciller Catherine Turner was a lone voice in support of the report and the sole councillor who did not vote to reject the proposal.

‘I want to defend the staff who drafted this. It gives staff a framework to focus on. Dog pooh, parking, energy bills and government not listening are the key things the public raise as problems.

‘The proposal tries to make staff focus energy where it is needed. It’s unfair to criticise it so harshly and no-one should be sneering about it.’ she said.

Councillor Ann Corlett, deputising for Environmental Services Committee chairman Ritchie McNicholl, told councillors she was happy to reconsider the proposal.

Councillors voted overwhelmingly for the proposal to be taken back to committee for reconsideration, with Councillor Turner sounding the only note of dissent.

A Lonan woman who defrauded £26,000 from the benefits system has been sent to prison by Douglas magistrates.

Belinda Taylor, aged 47, of All Saints Park, was convicted of seven offences of benefit fraud, committed between December 2009 and April last year.

Defending her, advocate Jane Grey said Taylor was remorseful, had the means to make reparation and if custody was imposed, the sentence should be suspended.

‘She has never been in the criminal system before and custody would be damaging to her mental health,’ she said, adding her client needed to keep up payments on the family home and could end up homeless if she went to prison.

This would, in turn, she said, put her at higher risk of reoffending on her release.

‘The money she has is barely enough for her to live on and she is trying to find work. Costs should be kept to a minimum because of her precarious financial situation,’ she said.

The court heard she was paying £50 per month to reimburse the overpaid benefits.

But magistrates’ chairman Alan Gelling was unmoved. He listed repeated occasions when she had signed declarations on the claim forms saying her circumstances had not changed and she remained entitled to receive benefits, despite doing paid work.

‘We think you did act dishonestly and were aware that you needed to inform the department of any work. You failed to inform the department that you had an Isle of Man bank account and into that account you paid your earnings,’ he said.

She was sentenced to 14 weeks’ custody. No costs or compensation were ordered.

Census day will take place on Sunday.

All households are being asked to help government, local authorities and businesses plan services for the future by completing the Isle of Man Census on Sunday.

Census project manager Adam Smith said: ‘There are two ways of providing the requested information, either by filling in the paper version and sending it back in the pre-paid envelope or by completing the online version.

‘Every home has been provided with a paper version of the form, which includes a unique online code that will allow householders access to the online form.

‘The online form will guide households through the questions they should be answering, prevent questions from being missed and can be completed more quickly and accurately than the paper version.’

He added: ‘As we prepare for Census Day on Sunday, we have received some helpful feedback from the public on the content of the forms. Two points, in particular, have been raised that should be clarified.

‘Many residents have questioned why they are not able to declare their nationality as “Manx”.

‘As the explanatory notes say, this is a question about nationality status as recognised in international law, so the category “British” includes persons who consider themselves to be Manx, English, Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish, from the Channel Islands, or from a British Overseas Territory.

‘As much as people may rightly value their Manx identity, it is not a recognised nationality in international law.

‘The census form, however, does ask where an individual was born and the place of birth of parents and grandparents,’ he said.

‘Also, there have been some questions over whether children are to be included in the census. In the paper form, there are two pages of questions allocated for each member of a household, whatever their age.

‘Questions on the left hand pages should be answered for every member of the household. Questions on the right hand pages apply to employment and are to be completed only by those aged 16 and over. The online form, however, simplifies the process by not offering the employment questions for persons under 16.’

The government’s Cabinet Office will be undertaking a consultation to take into account the public’s views on the content of census questions prior to the next full census in 2021.

Help will be available online and at the Census Office

‘We are trying to make the process as easy as possible for anyone who has questions or needs help with the form,’ Mr Smith added.

The Census Office, in the Government Welcome Centre in the Sea Terminal in Douglas, will be available to assist the public by phone, email and in person. The pffice will be open on Saturday, April 23, from 1pm until 6pm. The office will not be open to the public on Sunday, April 24, but staff can be reached by phone at 685700 and email at census@gov.im.

Residents who would like to complete their return online but are not confident using the internet can visit the census office, and be helped through the process, from April 25 onwards.

Households may also request assistance in their homes. A census officer will be able to visit and help them complete the form from April 25 until May 6. Support will be available for those whose first language is not English.

Further information, including responses to Frequently Asked Questions, is also available {https://www.gov.im/categories/home-and-neighbourhood/census-2016/|here}

After May 9 reminder letters will be sent and officials will visit all properties that have not yet completed and returned the census form.

Isle of Man College students struggling, on occasions, to manage financially are set to benefit after Manx charity the Isle of Man Youth Partnership Student Hardship Fund received a Celton Manx Recognition award.

Launched in 2015 Recognition aims to provide support to smaller charities and not-for-profit organisations with only limited resources for promoting and developing their services.

Accepting the award on behalf of the charity was the fund’s committee chairman Kerry Birchall, who has had first-hand experience of how a little financial help at a critical time in a student’s life can make the difference between continuing or having to abandon their studies.

Now an Isle of Man College IT course tutor Ms Birchall was a 24-year-old mature student working towards her Certificate in Education and computer software qualification when she received a heating bill she could not afford to pay.

She said: ‘I’d always budgeted extremely carefully, but then this heating bill arrived, which I didn’t have the money for, and it threw out my finances completely.

‘This happened around March and my course was coming to a close later that year but because of the financial hardship I was facing I thought I might not be able to afford to finish my studies.

‘I’d been involved in the college’s students’ services centre so knew about the hardship fund and, after mentioning my predicament to student welfare officer Julie Bibby, I applied for and received an award.

‘This meant I could pay my gas bill and finish my course. The difference that award made to me not only led to me being able to pursue my career as a college tutor but also to join the student hardship fund committee and help to raise funds as a way of giving something back.

‘For the last three years I’ve chaired the committee and we make students aware of the hardship fund from the moment they attend their induction tutorial; we also issue regular reminders in student bulletins.

‘The committee applies stringent criteria when considering applications for awards which are made in the strictest confidence and are, most often, for quite modest sums just to tide a student over. Every case is judged on its merits and the awards - some gifts, some loans - can cover essential living costs, such as subsidising a student’s shopping bill for a couple of weeks, or help with funding course-related educational visits, or paying for course books and materials.

‘We also share our insight, experience and the judging model we’ve adopted with other charities, including the Lions Club and the Salvation Army.

‘We’re thrilled to receive this generous Recognition award from Celton Manx; it will keep us going for some considerable time and make a very real difference to students in financial difficulties.

‘The awards we make are not, of course, long-term solutions; they’re simply a small cash boost at a time in a student’s life when they’re strapped for cash and their studies are becoming affected.

‘There are, however, long-term benefits for the Isle of Man, in that by supporting these students, we’re helping to create the next generation of skilled workers. In making an award the committee is saying to the student: “You’re one of ours. We believe in you.”’

Celton Manx executive director Bill Mummery said: ‘Kerry’s story is truly inspirational.

‘In making this award we’re acknowledging the transformational work she and her fellow committee members are achieving in realising students’ potential and supporting them at what can be a vulnerable time in a young person’s life. The help the Student Hardship Fund offers goes a long way towards ensuring talented students don’t have their future career options restricted for want of modest financial assistance.

‘This is an approach very much in line with our own community investment programme and one we are pleased to support with this Recognition award.’

An Onchan man has been fined £1,000 and had his driving licence endorsed with seven points after failing to stop when he had a policeman hanging out of his car window.

Steven Alan Carridge, of Summerhill Road, was originally charged with dangerous driving but successfully contested that charge at a trial.

He was found guilty of driving without due care and attention and also ordered to pay £500 court costs.

On an earlier court appearance Carridge had pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis and for that offence he was fined £250, bringing his total penalty to £1,750.

The court heard how, on December 16, police followed Carridge, who was driving a Peugeot on Douglas promenade, as they thought he was exceeding the speed limit.

The Peugeot turned onto Empress Drive where it stopped suddenly, blocking the road.

An officer spoke to Clarridge and, due to information received, suspected that he may have cannabis on him.

After arguing with the police about paperwork Carridge was said to have got back into the Peugeot and started the engine.

Carridge, 33, said: ‘I’m not under arrest so I’m going.’

He drove off and the officer leaned into the car and grabbed the keys.

Carridge accelerated up the road with the policeman still leaning inside the car holding onto the keys and being dragged along for about 10 metres, before the key broke and the officer fell away from the car.

He was said to have suffered only minor injuries.

Carridge drove away but shortly afterwards was located by police in the car in an alleyway.

He was eventually boxed in by two police cars and arrested.

When searched at police headquarters Carridge was found to have cannabis worth £15.87 hidden between his buttocks.

Carridge handed in a prepared statement saying that he confirmed with the officer that he was not under arrest so he felt he was free to leave.

He said that he had asked the second officer, in front of the car, to ‘get out of the way’ and she had done so.

Defence advocate Jim Travers said that despite a long list of previous convictions there had been none since 2013 and that had since been voluntarily working for a local cancer charity and running his own business.

Deemster Alastair Montgomerie said: ‘The jury did not find either that the constable was leaning into the window when you set of or that the second officer had to jump out of the way otherwise you would have been guilty of dangerous driving. You failed to stop after the officer came in through the window or when he went back out. You kept on driving.’

A private sector promoter has been appointed to develop and grow the TT.

Tynwald this week approved the Department of Economic Development’s proposal to appoint events company Vision Nine as the Promoter of the TT and Classic TT Races.

But there were some detractors.

Tomorrow’s Manx Independent will report the full story and looks into the figures.

Vision Nine will take over what the government says is a ‘significant’ level of operational, promotional and commercial delivery responsibility for the TT and Classic TT in 2017. The 2016 TT and Classic TT will be unaffected.

In a press statement the Minister for Economic Development, Laurence Skelly MHK, said: ‘I am delighted that Tynwald has approved our proposal for the TT promoter partner. Vision Nine have demonstrated a real passion and knowledge about the TT and I believe they will bring substantial skills and investment to take the TT to the next level.’

Julian Topham, chief executive of Vision Nine, said in a press statement: ‘We are looking to get started on our plans for 2017. This work is for the TT and Classic TT, part of the Festival of Motorcycling including the Manx Grand Prix. Our priority at present will be setting up an office with local staff members here in the Isle of Man.

‘Our experience in large events management will bring together the existing local events with new draws for a wider sports fan base. We will be delivering real growth in spectator numbers and economic benefit for the Isle of Man over the next 10 years with the continued support from Gary Thompson at ACU Events, the TT Marshals Association, Manx Motorcycle Club and the Manx public. We also look forward to working with Island businesses, many of whom have supported and been involved with the events for many years.’

Vision Nine’s plans for 2017 include working with transport providers, increasing sponsor appeal and an improved entertainment experience.

The Chief Constable will be holding his annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 27, at 1.15pm in the Gaiety Theatre, Douglas.

The ceremony honours police officers, special constables, support staff, community volunteers and members of the public with a variety of awards ranging from long service medals, certificates of merit for dedication and professionalism, commendations for saving lives and trophies for community partnerships, special achievements and outstanding performance.

Chief Constable Gary Roberts said: ‘We live in a complex world where public service is increasingly important.

‘It is only right therefore that public service is properly recognised and celebrated.

‘The constabulary consists of people who work in paid or voluntary capacities simply to keep people safe. Yet again in the last year their efforts to achieve this have been first rate. I am pleased to be able to thank them for what they have done.

‘This year’s event is special in that I will be recognising the achievements of 16 ordinary members of the public who did extraordinary things that in some cases saved lives of others.’

A reduction in the proposed prize fund at this year’s Douglas carnival provoked dissent from some quarters at a recent meeting of the capital’s councillors.

Four main categories are to be eligible for a £250 prize and the remaining seven categories will each be competing for £50 prizes.

Nothing will be awarded for second or third placings. The move is set to save the council £1,750 in prize money.

Councillor David Ashford wanted to know how actively the council had sought sponsorship for the prizes, given that anything not met by sponsorship had to come from the council’s carnival fund.

The inequality of offering just £50 prize money to the best charity entry, but £250 for the best corporate entry was highlighted by Councillor Deborah Pitts, who said she was inclined to vote against the measure.

Regeneration and community committee chairman John Skinner said he would find out if sponsorship was likely to be available for the prize fund.

Mr Skinner said he did not personally approve the revised prize fund, however, councillors approved the measure voting in favour by 11 votes to four against.