Isle of Man Cabinet Office News

Public invited to take part in electoral review

Thu, 18 May 2023 12:19:21 GMT

The public are asked to share their experience and suggestions for improving the Island’s voting processes, at four meetings which will be held across the Island.

The Isle of Man Electoral Commission will be holding public meetings on 25 May, 15 June, 20 June and 29 June 2023.

The Commission have been tasked with reviewing the number and boundaries of constituencies, as well as the accessibility of elections, postal and proxy voting procedures, and the feasibility of ‘all island’ polling stations.

At the meetings, the Commission will be gathering the views and experiences of the general public to be used as part of a report to Tynwald. The Commission would welcome representations that raise any issues or concerns, highlight areas of excellence, or provide additional data and evidence to inform their deliberations.

The Commission has already been gathering evidence from key stakeholders, such as previous election candidates, current Members of Tynwald, Deputy Returning Officers and other interested parties.

Chair of the Electoral Commission, Sally Bolton said:

'The Electoral Commission is an independent body whose role is to look to review and recommend improvement around the democratic election process of the Island. We are encouraging participation from all areas of the public in this consultation phase, whether or not they have recently voted in a general election. We would be pleased to have people consider coming along to one of these public events.'

The Commission has arranged four public meetings to take place in the North, South, East and West of the Island from 6:30pm to 8pm:

North - Thursday 25 May 2023 - Ramsey Town Hall
East - Thursday 15 June 2023 - St Andrews Church, Douglas
South - Tuesday 20 June 2023 - Arbory Parish Hall
West - Thursday 29 June 2023 - Corrin Hall, Peel

If anyone wishes to contact the Electoral Commission to share their own experiences or concerns about the House of Keys election process there is a dedicated email inbox: electoralcommission@gov.im

These public meetings will be followed by an online public consultation around the end of May, providing the opportunity for those who are unable to attend these sessions to submit their views.

Chief Minister apologises to Dr Rosalind Ranson following employment tribunal

Tue, 09 May 2023 17:37:42 GMT

The Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK has today offered his deepest apologies to Dr Rosalind Ranson, former Medical Director of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Making an urgent statement in the House of Keys, the Chief Minister said:

“I express not only my deep regret that Dr Ranson was subjected to such unprofessional and damaging behaviours whilst in post as the Medical Director, but also offer my deepest apologies for the harm she has experienced.”

The Island’s Employment and Equality Tribunal found in May last year that Dr Ranson had been unfairly dismissed from her role as Medical Director, having made protected disclosures. Last week the Tribunal awarded Dr Ranson £3.198 million in compensation.

Recognising that the public should have confidence in how Government conducts itself when facing judicial challenge, the Council of Ministers intends to recommend to Tynwald a further independent assessment of the management of the tribunal process. This would most likely be for an appropriate senior independent legal professional to undertake.

The Chief Minister has already set out a number of measures to improve performance and culture within the Island’s public service. These include:

An external review of the role and responsibilities of Chief Secretary, which has been completed, creating a new role – Chief Executive Officer (Isle of Man Government) – with recruitment under way
An external review into the Office of Human Resources and its effectiveness, with the report due shortly
The creation of a new Operational Performance Board, chaired by the Chief Minister, to strengthen accountability and oversight of the delivery of public services
An update to the Government Code in October 2022 to allow for the appointment of non-executive directors to department boards to strengthen governance and performance
The publication of a new Whistleblowing Policy in October 2022
The launch of the Isle of Man Public Service Integrity Line in September 2022, providing a confidential and anonymous way for public servants to report any major wrongdoings
The creation of a Great Place to Work initiative to reform Government’s culture, with work ongoing.

The Chief Minister said:

“Dr Ranson, in her statement last week, said that the Tribunal ruling must not be the end. I entirely agree. Striving to reach excellence in governance, management, performance and productivity within the public service must be a continuous process.”

Concluding his remarks in the House of Keys, the Chief Minister repeated his apology to Dr Ranson, saying that efforts must and will continue to improve how the public service works as well as striving to nurture and protect Government’s greatest asset; its people.

Chief Minister's statement on the Employment Tribunal of Dr Rosalind Ranson

Tue, 09 May 2023 11:54:42 GMT

Mr Speaker

Almost exactly twelve months ago I determined it was in the public interest for me to respond to the liability findings of the Employment and Equality Tribunal considering the Dr Rosalind Ranson case despite the matter remaining sub-judice.

Last week, the Tribunal published its decision regarding the compensation for Dr Ranson and this has understandably brought again to the fore the matters that in May 2022 Honourable Members were rightly concerned to see addressed.

Even today as I speak, the case remains technically sub judice – as set out in Standing Orders. Mr Speaker, I regard the matter of sub judice as requiring review and clarity and will be writing to the Standing Orders Committee of Tynwald accordingly.

But I am speaking today against this backdrop because I feel it is in the national interest to do so and because it is of vital importance that the actions that we put in train last year continue to be recognised and implemented.

Indeed, I want to make it clear and remind everyone, that last year I set out a robust response to the substantial findings of the tribunal.

I was clear that the Liability judgement of the Employment Tribunal in May 2022 that was determined in favour of Dr Rosalind Ranson made uncomfortable reading. Regrettably, it did not reflect well on the professionalism of our public service irrespective of the fact that the core actions that laid the foundations of this tribunal happened during a period of national crisis.

I was clear that the Liability Judgement had raised a number of substantive questions regarding Government performance and culture and had understandably damaged confidence in Government.

I was clear about our deep discomfort that we felt with the evidence and findings of the tribunal as set out in the Liability Judgement, and I acknowledge our shortcomings.

I was clear that we needed to make changes to Government - structural changes, cultural changes and organisational changes because we cannot retain the status quo. We have been taking action over the past twelve months to effect that and to deliver meaningful changes.

Mr Speaker, we have looked at governance, the structure of public service accountability and how senior officers are overseen and held to account. This included an independent review of the role of the Chief Secretary and how it interacts with Chief Executives. As we speak, we are in the process of recruiting for the Chief Executive Officer Isle of Man Government with a refined job description that emphasises the need to performance manage Chief Officers.

We have put in oversight through the creation of an Operational Performance Board and its work is now underway. The Operational Performance Board brings greater support and guidance to the Chief Executive Officer and provides for more visibility and robust input into problem solving across departments.

We have examined how non-executives can form part of governance arrangements in Departments and updated the Government Code accordingly. The opportunity exists now for Board advisers to give advice and support on the operational implications and effectiveness of policy proposals, focusing on getting policy translated into results. They will operate according to recognised precepts of good corporate governance in business, leadership, effectiveness, accountability and sustainability. Enhanced departmental Boards need to be able to challenge, advise on and supervise five main areas: strategic clarity, commercial sense, talented people, results focus, and management information.

We have strengthened whistleblowing policies in the public sector, we have commissioned an independent review of the Office of Human Resources which is due to report shortly and there is the ongoing Great Place to Work programme across the Public Service with work streams refocusing in making the Government an employer that looks after its employees.

Finally Mr Speaker, we now have a confidential Integrity Line service up and running, that allows confidential and anonymous, if wished, reporting of concerns for staff across the entire public service.

This work is well and truly underway Mr Speaker and I remind you of this substantial response because it was imperative last May, when the Liability Judgement was published, that we acted and this Government remains committed to the delivery of this change

Nevertheless Mr Speaker, although my response at the time highlighted my serious concerns at the findings of the Tribunal, my statement at that point was constrained by the sub judice rules that I have referenced. I feel therefore today it is entirely appropriate for me to go further and express not only my deep regret that Dr Ranson was subjected to such unprofessional and damaging behaviours whilst in post as the Medical Director, but to offer my deepest apologies for the harm she has experienced - which the Tribunal has recognised in their Liability Judgement and has reflected in the compensation award now made in the Quantum Judgement.

Mr Speaker, Dr Ranson in her statement said that this must not be the end. I entirely agree. In fact the striving to reach excellence in governance, management, performance and productivity must always continue and, as I have said, there are various initiatives which have been put in place following the liability hearing last May and which continue. There are a number of ways in which now this must continue to be accomplished.

Firstly, the root causes of this matter were laid in the heat of the battle against COVID. When I spoke last May, I quoted the Tribunal’s words which were that:

This Decision is not an investigation…[in any way to] which the Manx Government handled the Covid 19 pandemic.

As Honourable Members will know that Review is now well underway and is being conducted entirely independently by Kate Brunner KC, who has full access to all records and is also taking evidence from those who were directly involved as well as seeking submissions from members of the public. Ms Brunner is due to report her conclusions and identify any recommendations for consideration to Tynwald by 31 December 2023.

The advice and the authority of Dr Ranson, the flow of information, access to Ministers, the command and management structures in place must now be matters for the COVID enquiry and Kate Brunner KC. It is not for me or anyone else to tell Ms Brunner how to conduct her enquiry but I point out that the Tynwald approved Terms of Reference for the Review provide that if at any time the independent Chair considers that a specific area should be subject to a more formal public inquiry, the Chair may make such a recommendation to Tynwald in their report.

Secondly Mr Speaker questions have been raised regarding the approach to the litigation, in relation to which there has been a significant amount of criticism, reporting and speculation.

Mr Speaker, it is vital that the public have confidence in the manner in which Government conducts itself when facing judicial challenge. It must have confidence that Government is conducting itself properly and with appropriate advice and decision making.

The Council of Ministers recognises that this matter needs to be addressed but also recognises that this is not a straightforward matter. It is an area which requires specialist legal knowledge. I can therefore inform you today that the Council of Ministers intends to recommend to Tynwald that a further independent assessment needs to be undertaken of the Department’s management of the Tribunal process and that an appropriate independent senior member of the Bar is most likely needed to undertake this work. It is clear that the majority of the tribunal’s criticisms focus on the conduct of the Department during the liability hearing and this will need to be the key focus of any inquiry.

Thirdly Mr Speaker, we must ensure that our public service works to the highest standards of governance and integrity. We must have governance that ensures we do not rely solely single individuals, at senior levels, to such a degree where they could become a point of failure. All of our public servants are entitled to a working environment where accountability and mutual respect co-exist. I set out a clear Council of Ministers response to improve governance and culture last year. We remain committed to improving governance and culture throughout the public sector.

Mr Speaker the findings of the Tribunal in May 2022 in their Liability Judgement and the subsequent award are of deep concern and I apologise again to Dr Ranson. This is not the end of the matter and we must all continue the work underway to improve governance, performance and culture and of course strive to nurture and protect our greatest asset; our people.

Isle of Man prepares to celebrate Coronation

Fri, 05 May 2023 15:45:16 GMT

Communities across the Isle of Man will come together this weekend to celebrate the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III – Lord of Mann – and Queen Camilla.

Community events

A number of free events are taking place over the three days of official celebrations, including street parties, Biosphere Bee picnics, family fun days, fairs and live screenings of the Coronation. Legislative Buildings in Douglas will be specially lit over the weekend to mark the occasion.

More details on the events being held are available at https://coronation.gov.im/whats-on-locally/.

RAF fly-past

Four Texan T MK1 aircraft are scheduled to flyover Douglas at 5:11 pm on Saturday to mark the Coronation. The aircraft, from RAF Valley’s 72(F) Squadron, are taking part in the flypast over Buckingham Palace. On their return to base, the aircraft will be fly over several locations, including the Isle of Man. The flypast is subject to weather conditions.

Island representation in London

The Lieutenant Governor His Excellency Lieutenant-General Sir John Lorimer and Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK will be in London for the Coronation. They will represent the Isle of Man, attending a reception at Buckingham Palace with the King and Queen this evening (Friday) and are invited guests for the Coronation at Westminster Abbey tomorrow (Saturday).

Representatives from the Isle of Man Constabulary, the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service, the Sea Cadets and St John Ambulance will also be in London.

Police officers PC Louise Kennaugh and DC Richard Hewitt, Leading Firefighter Amber Carridge, Governor’s Cadet Cerys Mudie and St John Ambulance volunteer Eddie Littlewood will line the processional route from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.

Souvenirs for historic occasion

Commemorative stamps and coins have been specially commissioned to mark the Coronation, offering a keepsake or souvenir for the historic occasion, with has constitutional significance for the Isle of Man. More information can be found at www.iompost.com/stamps-coins.

Isle of Man in Numbers 2023

Thu, 04 May 2023 16:01:50 GMT

A comprehensive set of economic and social data has been published by Statistics Isle of Man.

Isle of Man Numbers 2023 has 76 pages of figures which help paint a picture of Island life, ranging from average house prices to number of passports issued.

Did you know that the average house price in the Isle of Man in 2022 was £386,955? Or that the year saw 586 births and 3,037 driving tests were taken?

The fascinating facts also reveal that the face value of currency and notes in circulation on the Island was last recorded as being £101,112,000, whilst there were 1,471 new immigration applications received.

Some of the results of the 2023 edition continue to show life on the Island returning to normal after the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, with numerous areas returning to pre-pandemic levels. Unemployment fell sharply in 2021 and continued at pre-pandemic levels throughout 2022, whilst the number of new work permits issued, the number of passports issued and the number of wedding ceremonies taking place all increased in 2022.

The rate of inflation continues to cause challenges within society, with the Consumer Price Index ending 2022 at 7.4%, whilst the average house price also increased throughout the year. Elsewhere, the numbers of ships and the number of aircrafts registered in the Isle of Man both decreased in 2022.

The annual report is available on the Statistics Isle of Man webpage, and covers areas of public interest such as the economy, Government income and expenditure, our society and the environment and infrastructure.

Data is gathered from a variety of sources including the Census, Earnings Survey, as well as from Government Departments, Boards and Offices.

Manx Coronation gift recognises King’s passion for environment and continues 600 year-old tradition

Thu, 04 May 2023 16:10:28 GMT

A handcrafted wooden bowl, inlaid with peregrine falcons made from recycled silver, is to be gifted to Their Majesties King Charles – Lord of Mann – and Queen Camilla, on behalf of the people of the Isle of Man.

The bowl was designed and made by Manx artists to reflect the Monarch’s life-long passion for the environment and traditional craftsmanship – whilst referencing the Island’s rich heritage, language and culture.

Nature inspired artist Graham Hall (Artforms from Nature) lovingly shaped the bowl at his studio in Grenaby from a fallen Elm found in woodland near Tynwald Hill.

Graham said:

'I was honoured to take on this special commission, which reflects the King’s passion for sustainability and the natural world, where I take my inspiration.'

The 52cm high bowl is embellished with a pair of peregrine falcons, created by Claire and Scott Pearse (Element Isle) in Tynwald Mills, continuing a tradition dating back more than 600 years.

Silversmith, Claire Pearse said:

'It was a privilege to work on such an important gift and the recycled silver used is in keeping with the sustainability concept.'

Henry IV gave the Isle of Man to Sir John Stanley in 1406 on the condition he pay homage and give two peregrine falcons to every future monarch of England on their Coronation.

This continued to the Coronation of George IV in 1821 who was the last monarch to receive live birds. However, the bird of prey, which forms part of the Isle of Man’s coat of arms, has remained a feature of subsequent Manx coronation gifts. For the Coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953 the Island gifted two silver peregrine falcons, which are at Balmoral.

The bowl stands on a plinth designed by Rosie Glassey (Pooil Vaaish) made from black limestone, which is unique to the Island. It is engraved the with the Manx toast - Slaynt as shee as eash dy vea, as maynrys son dy bra – wishing the Royal couple ‘health and peace and length of life and happiness for ever’.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK, who will represent the Isle of Man alongside the Lieutenant Governor at Saturday’s Coronation, said:

'On behalf of the people of the Isle of Man, we want to convey our sincere and warm wishes, to Their Majesties.

'We hope this gift reflects the King’s love of the environment and celebrates our Island, a proud UNESCO Biosphere.'

Members wanted for Isle of Man Research Ethics Committee

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 10:30:02 GMT

New members are being sought for the Isle of Man Research Ethics Committee, the body responsible for reviewing health and social care research projects carried out on the Island.

The Committee’s remit includes reviewing research proposals to formally assess if the research and the processes being used are ethical where they involve human participants, tissue or identifiable data.

With vacancies for expert and lay members, applications are invited from those with prior experience of working in the fields of health and social care or research as well as those with no previous involvement in this area.

Newly appointed Chair of the Isle of Man Research and Ethics Committee, Robert Frize, said:

'The work of the Isle of Man Research Ethics Committee is essential in ensuring that health and social care research undertaken in the Isle of Man respects the dignity, rights, safety and wellbeing of the people who participate. It is important that we have a broad spectrum of individuals on the committee to get as many viewpoints as possible.

'Expert members are usually those who work or have previous experience as registered medical or dental practitioners. Individuals with previous experience or no experience in the sector can join as lay members. Whatever your background, we welcome applications from across the Island. If you have an interest in ethical research, please don’t hesitate to apply.'

Candidates will have a strong commitment to protecting participants and the public, as well as recognising the need for ethical standards in research.

Regardless of the level of experience, full training in research ethics will be provided.

Positions are voluntary, but expenses may be claimed for travel to meetings.

The closing date for applications is 4 June 2023. Interviews will be held weeks commencing 12 and 19 June 2023.

Visit the Isle of Man Research Ethics Committee's page for full details of the role and an application form. You can also request a paper copy by telephoning +44 1624 642177, emailing research.enquiries@gov.im or writing to Public Health Directorate, Cronk Coar, Strang, Douglas, IM4 4RJ.

Isle of Man reaffirms international commitment to combatting financial crime

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 10:00:01 GMT

Treasury Minister Dr Alex Allinson MHK formally reaffirmed the Isle of Man’s commitment to combatting financial crime at a high level MONEYVAL Ministerial meeting, held at invitation of Poland’s Minister of Finance in Warsaw this week.

Tuesday’s meeting was attended by Ministers and high level delegates from 32 countries as well as international organisations which have a role in preventing financial crime around the world.

In a written declaration, all jurisdictions affirmed their commitment to international and regional efforts to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. They also joined the Ministers’ Deputies of the Council of Europe in strongly condemning the continued aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and confirm their full support for Ukraine and its people.

The meeting also provided the opportunity for bilateral meetings with Ministers from the other Crown Dependencies and the United Kingdom to discuss common issues relating to combatting financial crime.

Minister Allinson said:

‘It is important for the Isle of Man to reaffirm its commitment and stand alongside other countries in combatting financial crime in all its forms.

‘The global Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism framework is only as strong as its weakest link. As an established finance centre, we recognise our role in protecting international systems from these threats and take that responsibility very seriously.

‘The MONEYVAL Conference in Warsaw was an excellent opportunity to meet counterparts from other jurisdictions to reaffirm our ongoing and unwavering commitment to meeting international standards.’

Chief Minister builds relationships during London visit

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 16:00:28 GMT

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK visited London last week where he took part in engagements with various politicians and officials to discuss current political and economic issues facing the Isle of Man.

Among the engagements, he met with Mike Freer MP, who is the Justice Minister with responsibility for the UK’s relationship with the Crown Dependencies, and Stephen Doughty MP, Labour Shadow Minister for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The Chief Minister discussed current Free Trade Agreement negotiations, fisheries and Irish Sea Windfarm development among other matters.

During the course of the visit he also met with officials from the City UK, the South African Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner, Robert Fry.

The Chief Minister said:

‘It is essential that we build and maintain a network of contacts in Whitehall, Westminster and among the diplomatic and commercial communities to reinforce the message that the Isle of Man is an open and transparent jurisdiction. Discussions took place on a range of topics, including trade negotiations, the focus of Our Island Plan and the ambitions behind the Economic Strategy.’

He added:

‘Everyone we met was open and receptive, and we will be building on this engagement in the coming weeks, when I will return London to take part in further meetings.’

Applications open for education and awareness raising grant

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 12:06:40 GMT

Applicants are asked to design a programme to raise awareness within our community of international development issues.

The International Development Education & Awareness Raising Grant makes £30,000 available for one local organisation to tackle the aims in an exciting and innovative way.

Interested organisations would be expected to outline how their education programme would reach all ages and sectors within our community, and the original and engaging ways in which they would raise awareness of how the Island can help tackle the issues faced by those in developing nations.

Any education programme should be designed to increase understanding among residents of global issues, international development and the work that takes place around the world and locally on the Island.

In the past year, the work of international development has assisted in the humanitarian efforts across the globe including Ukraine and East Africa, and worked towards the Sustainable Development Goals as established by the UN.

Guidance for the application process and application forms are available on the grant webpage. All applications should be sent to internationaldevelopment@gov.im.

Applications for the 2023-24 grant will close at midnight on Wednesday 24 May 2023.

More information about the Isle of Man Government’s work to tackle these global issues is available on the International Development webpage.

Island residents are urged to look after their sexual health

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 17:12:50 GMT

Following a recent increase of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in the Isle of Man, Public Health and the GUM Sexual Health Clinic are urging people to consider testing if they are concerned that they may be at risk of an infection.

STIs are infections spread from person to person during sexual or intimate contact. STIs are not always symptomatic and if left untreated, they can lead to serious health problems. However, if an STI is diagnosed early, it is easily treatable.

If you are sexually active, it’s important to take measures to reduce your risk of getting an STI.

You can contact the GUM Sexual Health Clinic for advice if you have symptoms of an STI or are concerned. The Clinic offers free testing, support and treatment. All appointments are completely confidential. The clinic is based at Nobles Hospital and you can make an appointment by calling 650 710.

Further information on STIs, including common symptoms, can be found on the NHS dedicated STI webpage.

MLCs to take up Departmental roles

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 16:14:47 GMT

Two Members of the Legislative Council have been appointed to roles with Government departments.

Dawn Kinnish MLC will join the Department of Infrastructure after securing her election to the Legislative Council last month.

Paul Craine MLC, who successfully gained re-election, will join the Department of Education, Sport and Culture.

A further political appointment will see Ann Corlett MHK take up the role of vice-chair of the Housing and Communities Board.

Inflation report: March 2023

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 13:48:56 GMT

The latest inflation report, compiled and published by the Statistics Isle of Man team in the Cabinet Office, shows inflation stood at 9.1% for March 2023.

The category 'Food and non-alcoholic beverages' was the biggest contributor to the rate of inflation, with an increase of 17.9%. Within this category, eggs experienced the highest rise at 57.8% compared with twelve months ago, although nearly all sub-categories of food and non-alcoholic beverages have undergone rises higher than the overall rate of inflation.

A summary and the full report are available on the Statistics Isle of Man Inflation webpage.

Inflation figures are among the range of information available to view on the Isle of Man Government’s Economic Dashboard.

New coronation website launched

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:12:30 GMT

A dedicated website with resources to help Island residents celebrate the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III has been launched.

It is designed to assist local authorities, charities, community groups and individuals with all things coronation related.

The coronation.gov.im site will be home to the latest news and updates about on island events, as well as information and application forms for the coronation event fund.

For those running events there is a handy toolkit containing invitation templates, recipe cards and kids’ activity sheets, as well as a downloadable copy of the Manx Gaelic version of the coronation emblem.

Island to mark Coronation of The King and The Queen Consort

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 12:05:57 GMT

Communities across the Isle of Man will come together next month to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, Lord of Mann, and Her Majesty The Queen Consort.

Minister for the Cabinet Office Kate Lord-Brennan MHK said:

'This is a truly historic moment and one of constitutional significance for the Island as our new Lord of Mann is crowned.

'The Coronation will have pomp and ceremony, but The King and The Queen Consort have made clear their desire for the strengthening of community bonds to be at the heart of the celebrations. With a focus on family, friends and volunteering, the Coronation represents an opportunity to come together, to make lifelong memories, and to have a positive impact across our Island.'

Three days of official celebrations

The official festivities will span a three-day weekend of celebration between Saturday 6 and Monday 8 May.

Pomp and pageantry will be the order of the day on Saturday 6 May for the coronation itself, starting with the King’s Procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. The King and The Queen Consort will both be crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury in a ceremony which dates back more than a thousand years. The King and The Queen Consort will then return to Buckingham Palace in the Coronation Procession before the traditional appearance on the Palace balcony for cheering crowds expected to throng The Mall in London.

Sunday will see a spectacular Coronation Concert staged on the East Lawn at Windsor Castle in a first for the thousand year old fortress. Broadcast live by the BBC, the concert will feature global music icons and contemporary stars.

The official celebrations will round-off on Monday – a special public holiday to mark the Coronation – with a focus on volunteering. People are being encouraged to ‘lend a hand and make a change’ by volunteering their time and joining in with The Big Help Out. An app has been launched to match up volunteers and organisations for the Coronation.

Over the three days of celebrations, communities and neighbourhoods are being encouraged to come together and share friendship, food and fun by organising a Coronation Big Lunch. More details, ideas, tips and resources for organising a Coronation Big Lunch – as well as a free information pack.

A picnic fit for a King

The Coronation Big Lunch is being given a Manx twist by Biosphere Isle of Man with Biosphere Bee Community Picnics. Intended to help connect people with nature, the picnics aim to encourage friends, neighbours and community groups to come together and enjoy local produce in a natural setting, to mark the Coronation. Full details on the Coronation Picnics including how to get a free information pack.

Coronation Event Fund

A number of events to celebrate the Coronation will be taking place around the Island and a Coronation Event Fund has been established to support local authorities, community groups and charities in funding these.

Local authorities can apply for a one-off grant of up to £2,000 whilst community groups and charities can apply for funding of up to £500. The money can be used to cover up to eighty per cent of specific eligible costs such as venue hire, entertainment, promotion and equipment. Every effort should be made to support local suppliers wherever possible.

Eligible events include live music and entertainment, festival activities and exhibitions. Individuals interested in supporting the development of these events are encouraged to reach out to their local authorities. Events must demonstrate a clear connection to the Coronation and be open to the public. The deadline for applications is 28 April.

Full details on the Coronation Event Fund including an online application form .

Coronation emblem

The Coronation emblem, by the celebrated British designer Sir Jony Ive, has been given a Manx makeover, with a Manx Gaelic version available for use by clicking on the emblem and downloading it.

Search begins for Isle of Man Government Chief Executive Officer

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 16:40:53 GMT

The search has begun to find a new chief executive of the Isle of Man Government following a review of how the Island’s public service is led.

Chief Executive Officer is the most senior role in government, leading the civil service and acting as the principal adviser to the Lieutenant Governor, the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers.

The position has been reformed to provide greater oversight and accountability, with a focus on managing performance and improvement across government. This includes formal line management responsibilities for Chief Officers in government departments with the ability to provide them with support and to hold them to account.

The role will replace that of Chief Secretary, which was established in the 1980s. Further rationalisation of the government leadership structure has seen senior positions in Departments being reassigned as Chief Officers.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK said:

“A great deal of work has been done to refocus and refresh how the Island’s public service is led. A clear focus on performance and improvement will mean the Chief Executive Officer and other senior officers are accountable for the leadership and management of our vital public services.

“This is an exciting opportunity and we are casting a wide net to attract the very best candidates with a proven track-record. Setting the tone, pace, standards and culture of an organisation comes from the very top. So it is vital we find someone with the right skills, experience and attributes to lead our public servants into a new chapter and ensuring government continues to deliver for the people of the Isle of Man.”

Other plans as part of the reforms include a new Operational Performance Board, chaired by the Chief Minister, which will give political oversight to performance and governance across the government departments. Other measures, including an external review of the Office of Human Resources and work to improve culture within government, are ongoing.

The closing date for applications is Monday 24 April.

Elizabeth Smith sworn in as new Solicitor General

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 16:25:33 GMT

His Majesty The King has approved the appointment of Mrs Elizabeth Smith KC as His Majesty’s Solicitor General in the Isle of Man.

Mrs Smith was sworn in to office yesterday (Wednesday) by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor Lieutenant General Sir John Lorimer, on behalf of The King, Lord of Mann, at Government House.

Mrs Smith was concurrently appointed as King’s Counsel, which is a recognition of excellence and one of the highest honours a barrister or solicitor advocate can attain.

As the Solicitor General, Mrs Smith supports and assists His Majesty’s Attorney General in acting as legal adviser to the Lieutenant Governor, the Council of Ministers, Government departments and statutory boards. The Solicitor General provides guidance on matters of law and issues relating to the Isle of Man's domestic and external interests and attends sittings of Tynwald and the Legislative Council as required.

After commencing her legal career in the UK, Mrs Smith moved to the Isle of Man in 2006, joining the team at the Attorney General’s Chambers where she quickly became a respected colleague, adviser and mentor. Prior to this appointment, Mrs Smith fulfilled the role of Executive Director of Legal Services in the Attorney General’s Chambers, where she worked closely with the current Attorney General, Walter Wannenburgh KC, and his predecessor on the development of Chambers.

Mrs Smith said:

“It is an honour to be appointed by His Majesty to the role of His Majesty’s Solicitor General in the Isle of Man. This is a challenging role and I am privileged to be given this opportunity to continue to serve the Island.”

Households to be invited to take part in financial survey

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 14:04:53 GMT

Randomly selected households will be invited to take part in the Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2023-24.

Each month, between April 2023 and March 2024, different households will be invited to complete the two-part survey.

Part one of the survey is a questionnaire which asks for details about sources of income for each member of the household and about household expenditure on large items and regular payments (such as direct debits) over the past year.

Part two involves keeping a diary over a two-week period of purchases made by the household.

The survey primarily uses an online questionnaire, though this can also be done over the phone, in-person at the Statistics Isle of Man office, or via a paper form.

Statistics Isle of Man carry out the survey every five years. It is essential in helping Government to understand the financial pressures facing residents, and to provide insight into important issues like poverty, fuel poverty and economic inequality.

It is also used as a basis to determine the amount of VAT the Island received, and to update the products used in inflation calculations so that these are representative of spending on the Isle of Man.

All households that are chosen to participate in the survey will be issued on completion a payment of £20 for one adult member of the household, £10 for each additional adult (defined as anyone in the household over 16 years of age), and £5 for each child.

Participating households will also be entered into a draw for that month with a prize of £1,000.

The Household Income and Expenditure Survey is entirely voluntary. All responses to the survey will be treated in the strictest of confidence and will only be used to create aggregate statistics.

More information, including previous results, can be found on the Household Income and Expenditure Survey webpage.

Climate change: Paris Agreement extended to Isle of Man

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 08:00:28 GMT

A landmark international treaty on climate change has been formally extended to the Isle of Man.

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding treaty, agreed by 195 countries to limit the global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees C, above pre-industrial levels, and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees.

The move means the Isle of Man’s climate action will contribute to the UK’s commitment to reduce its emissions by at least 68% on 1990 levels, by 2030.

The intention to extend the Paris Agreement to the Isle of Man (and the UK’s other Crown Dependencies) was announced at COP26 in Glasgow by the former Climate Minister Greg Hands, after a full review of the Island’s plans to reach net zero by 2050.

Following a formal request from the Isle of Man’s Chief Minister to the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the letter of extension to the Isle of Man has now been signed by the UK Foreign Secretary and deposited to the United Nations, which finalises the process.

Chief Minister, Alfred Cannan MHK, said:

‘It is a hugely significant milestone that will see the Isle of Man stand shoulder to shoulder with nearly 200 countries on the serious matter of climate change.

‘The formal ratification by the UK clearly demonstrates how seriously the Isle of Man takes its obligations on climate change and I would like to thank the Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Graham Stuart, and the UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly for recognising this and affirming and supporting our request.’

UK Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP said:

 ‘I am delighted that the Paris Agreement has now officially been extended to include the Isle of Man.

‘The Isle of Man has demonstrated strong climate ambition, including joining the UK to commit to reaching net zero by 2050. I look forward to working together to achieve our joint climate goals to keep 1.5⁰C within reach.’

The Isle of Man’s application was underpinned by the Climate Change Act 2021, which sets down the ‘net zero by 2050’ target in law and provides a framework for ongoing action.

Government sets out plans to mark fifty years since Summerland tragedy

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 17:42:56 GMT

A series of events will take place later this year to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Summerland fire.

The entertainment and leisure complex, which opened in 1971, was destroyed by fire on 2 August 1973. Fifty people lost their lives in the tragedy and a 100 people were seriously injured.

A National Service of Remembrance will be at the centre of commemorations, taking place on Sunday 30 July at St George’s Church in Douglas.

On the eve of the fiftieth anniversary, a presentation will be held to formally recognise and thank the Island’s emergency services and hospital staff for their response.

A new oral history project from Culture Vannin will present memories of those who experienced the fire and its aftermath. The memories, which will form a unique historical record, will be made available online for all to access.

Manx National Heritage is developing a new online exhibition called ‘Remembering Summerland’, which will launch on the week of the anniversary. The Google Arts & Culture online exhibition will include archive material, oral testimonies and filmed interviews.

On the anniversary of the fire, the annual service of remembrance will take place at the Kaye Memorial Garden, hosted by Douglas City Council.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK said:

“The Summerland tragedy is one of the darkest days in the Island’s history. Almost half a century may have passed since this harrowing event, but the tragedy continues to cast a long shadow and resonate in the lives of many – whether they be survivors, relatives or descendants of those who died or suffered, residents or visitors.

“Those who carried out vital duties on the night or witnessed the fire also carry painful memories – which in turn have affected their lives and families.

“The fiftieth anniversary is an important moment for reflection on an event we must not and will not forget. “

Further details on the events and timings will be published in due course.