Episodes
The education minister has offered an update on how the Island’s educational institutions are preparing for a world in which Covid-19 restrictions will remain firmly in place. But unions are unhappy over the possibility of more students coming back to school, and we find out how the Island’s civic amenity sites are coping after reopening.
The sustainability of Castletown has been a subject of debate after plans for a new estate at Knock Rushen were rejected at appeal. Castletown Commissioners want new homes to attract young buyers to the town, and are calling for the Southern Area Plan to be revised and updated to reflect housing need.
The planning committee is now meeting again digitally, but not in public. With a build up of home recycling, there’s a call to reopen some waste facilities. Braddan Commissioners face a question over a £7 million community centre, and Douglas Council says it’s taking steps to help people manage rent.
Throughout the pandemic there’s been a focus on mental health and how people can access support. Manx mental health charity Quing has launched a digital TV channel to make its online material more readily available. In the second half of the programme we speak to a BBC Isle of Man journalist about the challenges of covering Covid-19 whilst in self-isolation.
As Manx life continues to change day-by day, we reflect on a week of decisions designed to keep people safe and the economy afloat during the pandemic.
An economic intervention of more than £100 million is approved by Tynwald, the food retail industry pleads for calm and respect for its workers, and despite what you may think, one of the Island's broadband providers insists its network hasn't reached capacity.
The Island’s chief medical director explains why ‘flattening the curve’ is a must – we speak to a young person here with a mild case of COVID-19 who’s pleading with the fit and healthy to take the virus seriously. Graih outlines the challenges faced in helping the homeless self-isolated. And a Port Erin commissioner explains more about plans for the Cosy Nook.
Should Arbory, Rushen, Port Erin, Port St Mary, Malew and Castletown all join forces to create a new local authority? The idea’s been floated by a commissioner ahead of the local elections in April. On this episode of Agenda we speak to representatives of all five authorities to see what they think about the proposal.
Villagers in Laxey hear the pros and cons of plans to put a sewage treatment works in the heart of the community. The future of Port St Mary’s bowling green is up in the air. And, a cross-local authority forum is under threat.
The leader of the Manx Labour Party, who helped rebuild lower Pulrose in the mid 1990’s, is calling on government and local authorities to invest in creating more public homes. We speak to recently-retired politician David Cretney. And, changes to the bus timetable, which upset some in Jurby, will 'lead to more efficient use of resources' say infrastructure bosses.
'It’s not the right site' - that’s what some in Laxey have said about the proposed location of a new sewage plant for village, designed to end the discharge of raw waste. Progress of the draft Eastern Area Plan has reached a new juncture, we find out what comes next.
Homeless charity Graih has warned the quality of cheap private accommodation can be very poor, and landlords often seek to exploit vulnerable tenants. Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas says work is ongoing to improve the quality of accommodation in the private sector, including a landlord registration bill.
Local authorities are increasingly concerned about the closure of village post offices, with fears the situation in Ballasalla could soon spread. We hear from Malew Commisisoners, the Isle of Man Municipal Association, and from post office chair Julie Edge.
A delayed social housing project in Braddan, which is expected to cost more than £4.5 million, is set to provide tenants with homes that 'exceed the standard in energy efficiency'.
Douglas residents will pay out around £12 million in rates across the next financial year, but where does that money go? We speak to councillors about the budget for 2020/21, and find out how the local authority intends to use public finances.
The owners of Caley’s Stores have decided to call it a day, causing an outpouring of sadness in the Sulby community. We hear why the old adage use it or lose it rings true. The Arbory/Rushen merger prompts talk over the future for local authorities, and whilst rates are being set, we hear what's going with attempts to change the way the property tax is assessed.
Should MHKs be paid more, and the financial boost for being a departmental member dropped? It’s one of the ideas put forward in a report into the pay of Tynwald members. Some say this could re-balance executive and scrutiny roles by removing the ‘sweetener’ that comes with joining government. Others feel the report missed an opportunity to cut politicians' salaries and save public money.
The Post Office says nothing is decided on the future of the Ballasalla counter, but residents have serious concerns about the prospect of losing a 'vital service'. We hear from some of the more than 100 people who turned up to a coffee morning last week to discuss the issue. Public sector rents are to go up 1.9% in April. Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer explains how the increase is calculated, whilst MHK Rob Callister challenges the DoI's figures.
The man who's served as clerk to three authorities in the north of the Island for almost half a century will step down next year. John Quayle, who's 80, has managed the books at Jurby Commissioners since 1973, and says at his age, it was time to 'pack it up' and will step down in February. We speak to him about his time in local politics.
Manx Utilities is aiming to start work next year on a new sewage plant in Laxey by the village harbour. But a residents' group, Best For Laxey, is opposed to the choice of location.
And commissioners in Ramsey welcome news there’ll be flood defences built in the town, but want to make sure any scheme is done to the right standard.
An investigation is called in Malew over fears decision were made by commissioners without full approval. Slow down say Ballabeg residents to speeding motorists. And we hear from Douglas Council about plans for a Bee Gees statue on the capital’s promenade.
An Onchan commissioner resigns, accusing board members of trying to undermine him and creating a bad atmosphere at meetings. But the local authority's chairman insists members are told to treat each other with respect, and heated discussion is part of the job.
Two politicians/businessmen unveil plans for a £6 million commercial sports centre at King Williams College, insisting the facility will be available to all on an equal basis. We speak to commissioner David Parnell, and MHK Ralph Peake.
'It was like a courtroom' say some who took part in the Eastern area Plan inquiry, we hear from those who felt they were up against it. A housing development in Marown has left residents feeling sorely disappointed. Is the fracking debate a distraction? And all change at Malew Commissioners, but the new chairman insists there’s no lack of experience.
A new skate park in Castletown is just weeks away from completion. We speak to the commissioner behind the project, and those building the 'world class facility' at Poulsom Park.
Residents in Port St Mary fear a main road could collapse if development on the Underway continues – and Douglas Council wants to see changes to the way social housing is funded.
Villagers in Laxey demand answers from Manx Utilities and government ministers over flooding which devastated homes along Glen Road. We get the reaction of residents, commissioners and MHKs from last week's public meeting.
And what impact will the 'climate emergency' have on plans to zone swathes of greenfield sites under the Eastern Area Plan?
Garff Commissioners say the devastating floods in Laxey could’ve been avoided, and want government to take action. Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas puts forward a plan to modernise rates, but critics aren’t sure it’s any better than the current system.
How does looking for gas in the Manx seabed fit into the government’s commitment to make the Island carbon neutral? MHK Ralph Peake and MLC Jane Poole-Wilson, members of the climate change transformation team, attempt to answer that question.
And they could call men to arms, quell riots and light beacons to warn of invasion – we speak to a new Captain of the Parish.
Good planning recognises the latest data – those the words of our guest on this programme, author of the 2016 Isle of Man Population Atlas, Paul Craine.
He’s questioning figures in the Eastern Area Plan which could lead to swathes of Greenfield land zoned for development in expectation of a growing population.
But is the Island’s population really going to grow? Or are government hopes a distant reality? The statistician seeks to answer those question and more on this episode of Agenda.
The Isle of Man Green Party is gearing up for its first conference this weekend, with community, clean energy and climate change all on the bill. We hear from party leader Andrew Newtown, and deputy leader Lamara Craine.
Plans to turn Ramsey Courthouse into a community hub get the green light from planners.
And there’s now a full set of Malew Commissioners after a by-election last week, we speak to the winners.
We hear from the five candidates vying for the three vacant seats on the board of Malew Commissioners. With a by-election taking place on Thursday, the five hopefuls explain why they're standing. And in the second half of Agenda, foodbank users speak out about poverty on the Isle of Man, whilst the government insists steps are being taken to address the issue.
Do you know how much local authority members claim? Should they take allowances for attending meetings? Some do, and some don’t, we hear why.
Commuters are 'fed up' with the TT access road, but changes aren't likely to be made until 2022.
Finally, residents by Ballakermeen High School fear traffic calming measures could lead to further congestion despite claims to the contrary.
Commissioners in Castletown feel planners are frustrating efforts by developers to build new homes in the ancient capital. Those behind plans for glamping in Groudle explain more about the project, and we speak to the MHK, turned Health Minister, who promised to bring the issue of local authority reform to Tynwald every year unless 'sufficient progress is made'.