The current approved Strategic Plan 2007 contains figures derived from the 2001 and 2006 Censuses. These figures were used to calculate the broad housing needs for the Island up to 2016. The 2011 Census now presents the opportunity to update the housing figures. This review is necessary to enable the remaining Area Plans, starting with the Area Plan for the East, to proceed.

The Department is seeking views on its proposal to undertake a focussed Review of the Strategic Plan. A Response Form has been produced which is available to complete online (see useful links) or can be printed off, completed by hand and posted back to the Planning Office.

A public consultation event at the Sea Terminal, Douglas has been scheduled for 7th January 2014. This will be staffed from 10am to 2pm and 3pm to 7pm. Consultation material will be displayed in the reception area of the Planning Office, Murray House, from 8th January 2014 to 17 January 2014.

The Insurance and Pensions Authority issues the draft Insurance (Fees) Regulations 2014 and the Registered Schemes Administrators (Fees) Order 2014 for consultation.

The draft regulations prescribe, with effect from April 2014 onwards, the annual fees charged to entities regulated by the Insurance and Pensions Authority under the Insurance Act 2008 and the Retirement Benefits Schemes Act 2000.

Copies of the consultation document, together with the draft Regulations and Order are shown below.

The Public Sector Pensions Authority (PSPA) is consulting on a proposal to make the Public Sector Administration (Fees) Order 2013 with a view to charging for the administration associated with Divorce and the Dissolution of Civil Partnerships and the provision of multiple, hypothetical and ad hoc estimates for pension benefits and transfer values.
A single Cash Equivalent Transfer Value or Statement of Entitlement during the course of any 12 months will continue to be provided free of charge, as will Annual Benefit Statements and additional information for those close to retirement. The charges proposed reflect only the costs in doing so and are in line with, or less, than those charged by similar public sector pension Scheme Managers in the UK.
The PSPA is proposing to lay the proposed Public Sector Administration (Fees) Order 2013 before the March 2014 sitting of Tynwald.
A copy of the draft Order and further information about it can be found at the below link:

Consultation on draft Merchant Shipping (MARPOL Annex IV - Prevention of Pollution by Sewage) Order 2014 & draft Manx Shipping Notice (MSN041) which will give effect to the latest amendments to MARPOL Annex IV. Subject to approval by Tynwald, the Order will come into effect from 1st April 2014. The consultation includes a copy of the draft Order and draft MSN041.

The STCW Convention establishes basic requirements on training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers on an international level. A comprehensive review of the STCW Convention (known as the Manila Amendments) adopted a significant number of amendments including new requirements for: training and certification, hours of work and rest, prevention of drug and alcohol abuse and medical fitness standards for seafarers. This consultation paper sets out the Isle of Man Government’s proposal to implement new Regulations in order to give effect to the STCW Convention up to and including the Manila Amendments.