Strand Street has a strong future as the island’s premier shopping zone.

That’s the message from the family business behind three stores in the central Douglas retail centre.

The Charles Turner group of companies runs the Intersport store and earlier this year moved its successful clothes shop Garrey Corneil from its previous location in Victoria Street into Strand Street.

In the summer it also opened Forty Five – a leisure clothing store, next door to Intersport.

The business is run by Charles Turner Senior, one of the best known faces in the Isle of Man’s retail industry, and his son, also Charlie, who is a director.

They both believe that local firms are keen to see Strand Street succeed – and that it is the Manx businesses who have the local expertise required.

Charlie pointed to other recent openings in Strand Street, including the new Jac Stores complex in the building that previously housed Internacionale, as evidence that Manx businesses who are not necessarily tied to a UK chain have greater ability to operate successfully.

expertise

‘I think that it is the local expertise that shows through,’ he explained. ‘Many businesses, not just in retail, can be successful here in the Isle of Man but, as part of a larger chain, find themselves struggling as a result of problems suffered by their parent company in the UK.

‘We are fortunate in that Intersport itself is not a chain store, it is a buying group.

‘That means we are part of a network of independent businesses who join together for the purpose of getting good deals with suppliers.

‘It gives us the advantage of being part of an international buying network, without the pitfalls that can sometimes come along from being part of a wider chain.’

The Turners welcome the resurfacing of Strand Street and say they are able to look beyond the short term difficulties caused by that disruption, to see an improved shopping experience.

parking

Future availability of free parking in reasonable proximity to the town centre would prove to be a huge boost.

Charles Snr said: ‘Retailers in the street are aware they have to offer something better than the experience of online shopping.

‘I’m sure most of the retailers you find in the island would be confident that, in terms of customer service, they can give a better deal than shopping online.

‘Dealing with your customer in person means you can listen to their precise needs, help them make an informed choice and also provide a much more convenient and practical after-sale service.

‘I think the availability of some free parking close to the shopping centre is something else that helps to encourage customers to shop in town centres and keeps the business in the Isle of Man.’

He added: ‘There’s an awful lot of experience and expertise within the Manx retail industry and we are sure the government and local authorities will continue to listen to what we have to say.

‘If everyone works together I see a stronger future for Strand Street – and other shopping areas in the Isle of Man.

‘That’s good for everyone.’

The island’s principal broadband providers have welcomed news that connections are set to get quicker.

The superfast service will be available from February next year and will be available to around half of homes and businesses at launch.

Manx Telecom’s new VDSL Plus service will deliver the fastest fixed line broadband on the island, with speeds of up to 80 Megabits per second (Mbps) download and up to 10Mbps upload.

It is coming to the island thanks to Manx Telecom’s investment in fibre optic technology.

Mike Dee, Manx Telecom boss, said: ‘VDSL Plus represents another massive leap forward in broadband speeds and keeps the Isle of Man at the forefront of superfast broadband availability.

‘The increasing popularity of households using multiple devices such as smartphones, tablets, games consoles, laptops and internet-enabled TVs means real demand for higher broadband speeds for home entertainment.

‘The improved upload speeds of VDSL Plus also means greater efficiency for the ever increasing services and applications businesses use over their broadband connection.

‘This is another major boost for the Island’s status as a great place to live and do business and a result of our long-term commitment to invest in new technologies like VDSL and fibre connectivity.’

In its ‘State of the Internet Report’ earlier this year, leading internet infrastructure supplier Akamai placed the Isle of Man fourth in their table of global broadband connectivity. In the same table, the UK was 16th and Ireland 39th.

Like all digital line services, the availability of VDSL Plus is dependent on the copper line length between the serving equipment and the service users’ premises

To achieve the new higher speeds, lines to the premises must be 1km or less. The high initial availability of VDSL Plus from launch is due to Manx Telecom’s early investment in fibre optic cabling to street cabinets and basements (FTTC & FTTB), bringing more homes and businesses within the 1km threshold.

All of the island’s telephone lines can already obtain ADSL2 Plus fixed line broadband, offering download speeds up to 16Mbps.

Manx Telecom launched the island’s first VDSL service in 2011 which offers download speeds up to 40Mbps, and many thousands of service users have already opted to upgrade to this service.

By the end of the year it’s planned that 87 per cent of premises on the island will be within the required threshold to receive VDSL, with new street cabinets planned for Douglas, Laxey, Port Erin and Ramsey over the coming months.

In February 2015, the new VDSL Plus option will be available to around 50 per cent of all premises.

Mr Dee added: ‘We are developing a system to ensure people can quickly identify whether they are in range of the new VDSL Plus service and the typical speed range they can expect on their line.

‘Working with the local Internet Service Providers we want to make moving up to VDSL Plus as simple and straightforward as possible. The good news for existing VDSL users is that they won’t have to change their existing router to upgrade to VDSL Plus. We know from feedback on our VDSL service, that users appreciate higher speeds, so we expect a high demand for the new faster VDSL Plus option.’

Other providers will be able to use the infrastructure to launch their own, quicker, services.

Mike Phillips, chief operating office of Sure, said: ‘Sure welcome this news from MT Wholesale and looks forward to being able to provide this new faster service to our own customers in the new year.’

Kate Hegarty, director at Wi-Manx, said: ‘Our routers are already enabled to deliver these speeds and our network is already prepared. We look forward to bringing our own offering to the table, plus other high speed B2B packages in the coming months.’

Young singers, musicians and dancers are invited to take part in the annual Big Bree Workshop.

The event, for youngsters aged 10 to 18, takes place at the Youth Arts Centre, in Kensington Road, Douglas, on Saturday November 1 and Sunday November 2.

Organised by Culture Vannin, youngsters will spend the weekend with expert tutors learning Manx songs and dances, working on instrumental technique, creating a play, playing in a band as well as writing new tunes and songs.

The weekend will culminate with a show on Sunday afternoon for family and friends.

No experience of Manx music, dance or language is needed, but students are expected to be fairly competent on their instrument.

Places for the Big Bree Weekend are free but limited, and the closing date for registration is Friday, October 24.

The event will fun from 10am to 4pm each day.

Go to www.manxmusic.com to find out more and download an application form.

For more information, contact Dr Chloë Woolley by emailing chloe@culturevannin.im or call 695787.

The Chief Minister says he believes transfer of services onto local authorities may only serve to postpone long overdue reform.

Allan Bell was responding to plans announced by the Department of Infrastructure last week to give local authorities more responsibilities such as hedge cutting, gully emptying, minor pavement repairs and off-street parking. Critics point out this will mean costs being transferred from the taxpayers to the ratepayer.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne is proposing to minimise the impact on rates in 2015-16 by freezing the planned rise in waste disposal costs.

But Mr Bell believes what is really needed is local authority reform. And he added: ‘Simply transferring a limited number of functions to local authorities without any fundamental reform is not going to resolve the issue. It is simply going to postpone the day when reform will have to come.’

Mr Bell expressed frustration that his administration has made no further progress on local authority reform.

He said: ‘Local authority reform was on the agenda when I was first elected 30 years ago. Every single attempt made so far has failed. The hope was always that we would get collective agreement for the way forward from the bottom upwards. It’s quite clear this isn’t going to happen.’

l The proposals, page 25

Phillies v IOM college

The men’s basketball league welcomed the Isle of Man College team to the NSC courts on Thursday, with the visitors only able to field four players.

Drafting in Mark Dato from their opponents, the match got under way with 11 opening points from Phillies’ Miguel Carrillo. Revi Del Rosario joined him on the scoresheet hitting a number of three-point shots to help his side take the first quarter 25-6.

The College side played with patience which showed in their offensive play as Christian Lima and Dato worked effectively to notch up the points with Daryl Tan and Dennis Galsim assisting.

This game was always going to be tough for the College who battled for every ball and, as team-mates arrived, their game picked up, offering their starting four players a moment’s rest.

Respectfully Phillies took the win 95-36, with debutant Lima receiving player of the match.

PokerStars v Giants

PokerStars, without a coach on Thursday, lacked cohesion in the first quarter and Giants struggled to find momentum, leading to an early timeout only 38 seconds in.

PokerStars seemed unable to hit anything under the basket allowing Giants some latitude with an even 14-9 at the end of the first quarter.

Meron Shani settled the PokerStars offence from the top of the key, with some good offensive boards from Shawn McCurry and shots from Dylon Coady.

Great fast breaking and outside shooting from Giants’ Jakob Glover in the second quarter and some standout baskets from Vlad Isagov, a new addition to the Giants squad this year, took the score to 26-18 to PokerStars at the half. Giants capitalised on their youthful speed in the first few minutes of the third, reducing PokerStars’ lead to seven points at one stage.

However, age and experience just about won the day with PokerStars giving a steady performance in the fourth to take the win 55-39.

A great performance though from Giants.

Player of the match - Jakob Glover (Giants).

Microgaming Cavaliers

v Celton Warriors

Warriors entered the 2014-15 season with an infusion of youth and a hope that young legs might lead them to bettering their third-place finishes from the last three seasons.

However, it was veteran Paul Kilic who opened the game for Cavs hitting three-pointers either side of a jump shot from Tom Dalton-Brown leading to a quick timeout from Warriors.

After the timeout Chris Wolfendale answered with a three of his own and a lay-up to make it 8-5 Cavs.

A Kilic three-pointer and a couple of lay-ups brought the lead to 15-7 before Harry Brindle stopped the rot for Warriors with a jumper of his own and a couple of free-throws.

Another five points from Cavs rounded out the quarter sitting on a nine-point lead and, when Kilic opened the second quarter with his fourth three of the game, it was looking like it would be a long night for the Warriors.

Mel Valencia then hit a three of his own for Warriors and a Michael Jordan-esque circus shot to trim the lead back down to eight with two minutes to play in the second before a basket from Dave Minay restored a double-digit lead at the half.

Wise heads and young legs brought Cavs’ lead down to four points but the latter finished the quarter strongly with a 13-point lead behind Minay’s inside presence.

Cavs eventually ran out 70-53 winners, with Kilic grabbing the player of the match honours.

Norton Bruce Turkeys

v Rams

Rams turned up in their numbers as they took on Turkeys in the final men’s match.

Turkeys’ Svetlin Krastev inspired his side at both ends of the court, making some great interceptions and converting the points along with Paul Ellison who had a good game hitting several three-point shots.

Rams are a skilful side and demonstrated this with some intricate passing from John Paul Banaag who was instrumental in their offensive play.

Turkeys slowed the pace of the game as they took a marginal lead at half time 31-27, with Allan Walkingshaw and Richard Smith using their experience under the basket to secure a four-point lead.

Turkeys found their second wind heading into the third quarter but couldn’t keep the Rams at bay as Joel Garmino and Mark Directo secured vital points to keep them within touching distance with only seven points separating the sides.

Turkeys took the final quarter though, with Krastev finishing off with a cheeky hook shot over his head and taking the win 63-54.

Player of the match - Svetlin Krastev (Turkeys).

Paragon Legends

v Skanco Saints

Legends were looking for their first win of the season as they met Saints in the first of the evening’s women’s matches.

Saints could only field five players but it didn’t stop them attacking the Legends defence, with Aoife Giles opening their account.

Legends’ Lesley Murray and Sue Webster used their height advantage to great effect converting their shots under the basket, with assistance from Wendy Owens who scored a total of 20 points.

Saints’ Gemma Kirkham and Giles worked well together in their offensive play and worked tirelessly at both ends of the court.

The third quarter proved affluent for Saints as the score crept closer to that of the Legends who took their foot off the pedal slightly, but baskets from Melanie Gribben kept daylight between the sides.

As the match neared its conclusion, Legends pulled away from a tired Saints side who are improving with every match with the final score 60-32. Player of the match - Gemma Kirkham (Saints)

Buchanan and Pitts

Slammers v Fellas

Slammers stepped on court in confident mood with a full squad to defend their title.

Fellas too are unbeaten so far this season and the match promised to be a battle worth watching, although Fellas didn’t have their full compliment of players.

First blood went to Fellas with Fiona Guest hitting her first shots and they took the first quarter 10-8.

Things didn’t improve for Slammers as they were unable to keep up with the speed of Jessie and Amber Carridge who converted their fast breaks at every opportunity and led 25-12 at half-time.

Debbie Potter and Tracey Dentith (Slammers) hit some lovely baskets to keep them in the game, but it was not Slammers’ night as Fellas raced ahead taking round one comfortably 43-27.

Player of the match - Amber Carridge (Fellas).

Yasmin Ingham rounded off her season in style with success at the Weston Park International Horse Trials in Shropshire recently

The 2013 Isle of Man Sportswoman of the Year won the International One Star section ahead of more than 40 competitors.

Riding the Olympic medal winning horse, Imperial Cavalier, she completed her dressage competition with a score of 46, posting one of only three double clear rounds in the cross-country and show jumping phases.

Previously ridden by Olympic equestrian sportswoman, Mary King, Imperial Cavalier is an experienced eventing horse and the pair have quickly formed a strong partnership.

On their fourth competition together, Yasmin and Imperial Cavalier won the International One Star section at Somerford Park in Cheshire. In their past five events, they have not dropped out of the top five on the leaderboard.

Speaking of the win, Yasmin said: ‘This was a fantastic way to round off the season. The event course was definitely challenging, a test for both myself and Imperial Cavalier, but I’m delighted with the result.

‘It’s great to have come so far and I’m grateful for all the support from my friends, family and sponsors.’

John Greenwood, CEO at Creechurch Capital, one of Yasmin’s primary sponsors commented: ‘Yet again Yasmin is showing she can compete at the highest level. I am sure in years to come the island will have another Olympic champion and it’s a pleasure to watch her going from strength-to-strength.’

In 2015, Yasmin will be going all out in the hope she’ll be selected for a place on the British team to go forward to the European Championships which will be held in Poland next August.

Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault that took place in the early hours of Sunday.

The victim had to be taken to hospital for treatment to facial injuries after he was attacked.

The incident took place between 12.30am and 2.30am in the area of Barrack Street, Douglas.

Police say a large number of people were present in the area and may have witnessed the assault.

On Monday a 21-year-old man was arrested in connection with the assault and later charged.

Constable Lana Gardner said: ‘Despite that we have arrested and charged a male in connection with this assault we are still progressing the investigation and we are still seeking the co-operation of members of the public who may have witnessed this incident, the victim has been released from hospital and is currently recovering from his injuries.’

Police are appealing for anyone who has witnessed the incident or has any other information to contact Constable Gardner at Lord Street police station or the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.

A Ramsey politician has hit out after a planning decision made in favour of Heritage Homes Ltd.

As we reported last week, the developer successfully applied for the removal of the ‘affordable housing’ condition relating to its development of 45 dwellings east of Gardeners Lane, Ramsey.

Originally, it was meant to build 11. That was cut to three.

Ramsey Commissioners had opposed the application and were dissatisfied with the decision, which was made by the Council of Ministers.

Commissioner Alex Allinson said: ‘This is a wrong decision by government. Unfortunately, a company that has made millions out of the Isle of Man is being advantaged, while many first time buyers in this island are being disadvantaged.’

In its submission, Department of Social Care said it would prefer three homes quickly than to wait ‘indeterminately’ for 11.

The decision by the Council of Ministers followed the recommendation of an independent planning inspector, who said: ‘There can be no doubting the need for increased affordable housing across the island, nor regarding the importance of Housing Policy 5 (affordable housing condition) as an instrument for contributing to meeting that need. This application warrants careful, cautious but also pragmatic consideration.

‘The applicant sets out a cogent case, and Department of Social Care professional officials were, in advance, given open access to commercially sensitive information.

‘They are individuals whom, I know, take a determined approach to increasing the provision of affordable housing.

‘I therefore suggest that considerable weight be given to their support for what is being proposed, for which they have their minister’s endorsement.’

-----------------------

Number of first-time buyers’ homes reduced in Ramsey scheme

Forty-six St Ninian’s sixth form historians have just returned from Ieper in Belgium where they visited numerous First World War battle sites, museums, graveyards and memorials to help them with their A-Level studies and general understanding.

Pupils also visited the site of the Battle of Waterloo to help with their studies on Revolutionary France and they also had free-time in Bruges and Brussels.

A particular feature of the trip was to try and find as many graves and memorials to Manx servicemen as possible and leave a Manx Poppy Cross.

We visited 54 Manxmen on the Ypres Salient including ex-SNHS pupil George Mitchell, TS Corlett whose original cross is on display at the Manx Museum and NC Bateman a native of the Isle of Man from Thames New Zealand. On future trip we hope to arrange for a plaque dedicated to ex-SNHS boys and Manx Servicemen in general to be displayed in St George’s Church in Ieper.

Musician Peter Smith, movingly played the last post at the Hooge Crater cemetery and the Ploegstreert Wood Memorial to the missing.

Rachel Withington

Assistant Headteacher

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It looks more like a prison visit than an under-12s football fixture.

In a bid to stop young players being intimidated by parents shouting from the sidelines, spectators were instructed to watch this match at Queen Elizabeth II School’s astro pitch on Sunday from the other side of a giant fence.

One parent, who did not wish to be named, told the Examiner: ‘This has really annoyed me. We were refused entry to the pitches by an official who said it was a new IoMFA directive. This meant a morning spent outside a wire mesh enclosure, turning it into something closer to what I imagine a prison visit to be like.

‘One of the parents who wore glasses had a difficult morning even seeing the games due to the difficulty of focusing through the mesh.

‘At the start of the season, all parents had to sign a declaration to “behave” on the sidelines. We were not even given the courtesy of an explanation – simply refused entry to the pitch.

‘If this is the IoMFA reacting to the behaviour of some parents by taking the easy way out by banning everyone, then that is simply wrong, to ban all because of a few. Ban the parent, not the player and certainly don’t penalise every parent.’

Sunday’s fixture at QEII saw under-12 teams from Ramsey, Ayre, Colby and Peel playing in two league games and a friendly.

Mikey Allison and John Batty, co-chairmen of the IOMFA Junior Football League, issued a statement to the Examiner.

It reads: ‘With junior football, the most important person is the child playing.

‘At all ages, but particularly at the younger ages, children can find adults standing on the touch line to be very intimidating.

‘There are rules which all clubs and coaches are aware of, that spectators must stand away from the touch line and not behind the goals at the regional astro pitches. In addition the only people allowed in the centre between the two pitches are coaches of the respective teams playing.

‘Unfortunately over the last few years there has been an increase in the number of incidents where parents have encroached onto the line, behind the goal, and in a number of instances shouted abuse at opposing coaches and referees.

‘We have consistently reminded coaches of their responsibilities towards the parents of their teams, but some clubs, and/or parents have ignored this.

‘Consequently, we decided to ban anyone who was not either the registered coach of a team playing, or a league official. This was not taken lightly, and the priority is that the children can enjoy their football in a safe stress-free environment.

‘As regards the NSC, there is a natural barrier and all parents must stay behind this. At the Bowl, only coaches are allowed anywhere on the pitch.’

It concludes: ‘It’s a shame, but as in a lot of things in life, the actions of a few spoil the enjoyment of the many.

‘We will be discussing this at the next League Management Committee meeting and if we could get the guaranteed observance of the rules designed to maximise children’s enjoyment of the game we will reconsider.’

Peel Chamber of Commerce will hold its next meeting on Sunday, November 2, at 4.30pm, in Shamyr Hey Tearoom in Athol Place.

On the agenda to be discussed will be: finances; an open air market on November 29; a Christmas Fayre on December 13; and any further fundraising ideas, such as bingo nights, quizzes, etc.

The meeting is being organised by Peel commissioner Kate Felton, who is also chairman of the Peel Chamber of Commerce and hopes that representatives from as many local businesses as possible will attend.

A large number of charges are set to be introduced as the government tries to raise more money.

They are being levied by the Department of Infrastructure to meet its budget target and are aimed to help the government achieve its ‘national priority’ of rebalancing public finances by 2016.

The DoI is responsible for delivering revenue savings of £5 million in the current financial year, which is half of Government’s overall target for 2014-15.

Its proposals were set out some months ago. Now most of them are being introduced.

The measures include:

Charging for parking spaces used by Tynwald Members and government staff in central Douglas

Increasing the charges at Chester Street, Drumgold Street and Parade Street East and West car parks

Introducing pay-and-display parking on Douglas Promenade Walkway and reducing the maximum stay for parking in the disc zone between Granville Street and the Sea Terminal to one hour

Introducing a £25 administration charge for residential permits, exempting holders from time restrictions at disc parking zones where they live

Increasing revenue generated by vehicle excise duty by 10 per cent overall

Introducing a charge of 50p per journey for children travelling to school by bus

Changing the age of eligibility for free bus travel for senior citizens from 60 to the state pension age. Passes will not be withdrawn from existing holders who will retain ‘grandfather rights’ to their passes.

Revising charges for the collection and processing of fallen stock at the Animal Waste Processing Plant

Removing the 30-minute free parking period and disc zone at the airport

The implementation dates for the department’s new budget measures will be confirmed in the near future.

More on this story in tomorrow’s Manx Independent

Talented Claire Mulhern, who co-ordinated the drafting and publication of the Crown Dependency guidance notes on FATCA, has left the public sector to join an island company.

She has been welcomed by the SMP Partners Group.

Claire will primarily manage the Group’s FATCA implementation project and work closely with colleagues to ensure compliance with international information exchange agreements, whilst also providing ad hoc external consultancy and advice services.

From its group headquarters in the Isle of Man, SMP Partners provides a wide range of wealth structuring to a global client base across more than 50 jurisdictions through a network of international offices.

FATCA (The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) and the UK equivalent Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) came into operation in July 2014.

The purpose of the agreements is to strengthen cross-border information reporting and compliance with the aim of detecting and deterring the evasion of tax.

The Common Reporting Standard (CRS) which closely follows FATCA, is due to take effect from January 1, 2016 for at least 48 countries with over 20 other countries already committed to follow in due course.

The legislation, regulation and guidance for the IGAs can be complex, especially as understanding of practical implementation develops, making access to expertise in this field vital.

Claire returned to the Isle of Man in 2005 to join the Income Tax Division of Treasury as a central services manager. She subsequently moved into a technical manager role in the division before more recently working as an international co-operation officer with particular responsibility for the automatic exchange of information (AEOI) and FATCA.

She was involved in the later stages of the negotiations with both the UK and US in concluding the Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) signed in 2013, and also coordinated the drafting and publication of the Crown Dependency Guidance Notes on FATCA, issued jointly by the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.

Claire has also taken part in numerous presentations and seminars regarding FATCA during the last year and is well regarded within the financial services industry on and off the island for her knowledge in this area.

She said: ‘I am very pleased and excited to join SMP Partners and take responsibility for managing its FATCA and CRS implementation project and providing ad hoc advice and consultancy services.

‘It is an opportunity to put into practice all of the knowledge that I gained through my work in the Income Tax Division regarding FATCA and I am looking forward to the challenge.’

Managing director Mark Denton said: ‘FATCA is a priority and focus in the financial services industry across the world at present, although many TCSPs and financial institutions still fear the work that it entails.

‘It is vitally important that firms in the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories understand IGAs with the UK, US and other jurisdictions and the implications for their clients and consider engaging specialist FATCA advisory services.

‘Claire brings to SMP Partners an in-depth knowledge of FATCA and AEOI having worked so closely on the detailed negotiations which led to last year’s IGAs with the UK and US.

‘She is acknowledged as an expert in this important field and brings her wealth of experience to our business and clients, ensuring we offer an unrivalled understanding of the work involved and best-in-class service delivery.’

A patient who took his own life while resident in Grianagh Court was a victim of substantial failures in the care systems in place at the time.

Coroner John Needham said there was clear evidence of neglect on the part of the Department of Health which was guilty of a substantial failure in its systems.

The court heard Benjamin David Hall, who was 25, died as a result of hanging himself using the shower curtain rail in the en suite bathroom at Grianagh Court on June 12 2012.

Mr Hall, who lived at Bradda Road in Port Erin, had originally been referred to Grianagh Court in 2008 when he was diagnosed as suffering from paranoid delusions and was dignosed with an acute schizophrenia like condition. He was admitted to Grianagh court again in 2009.

In May 2012 the court heard Mr Hall had inflicted a superficial injury to his wrist and was again suffering paranoid delusions, complaining of hearing gunshot sounds and believing the army was coming to get him.

He said he had cut his wrist with the intention of killing himself as he believed his father, who was on holiday at the time, may be dead.

He was again admitted as an in-patient to Grianagh Court in May 2012.

Mr Needham said to establish unlawful killing such as manslaughter, it was necessary to establish Mr Hall’s death had been caused by breach of a duty of care owed to him and that the breach was grossly negligent.

But he said he was ruling out a verdict of unlawful killing because the systemic failures that led to Mr Hall’s death could not be attributed to a single individual.

In considering the issue of neglect, he said there were four questions to be considered.

First, whether or not there was a failure to provide basic medical attention or care, including provision of basic safety features, for acute mentally ill patients with a recognised risk of suicide.

He said collapsible curtain and shower rails were usual in such facilities to address the known risk of patients using them to secure a ligature, but this was not the case at Grianagh Court.

Second, he said the failure to provide a collapsible curtain rail was a substantial failure because the consequences of not doing so could in all probability be a fatality. Third, if basic medical care had been provided in the way expected it was more likely than not that Mr Hall would not have died as he did.

‘I am of the view that the lack of provision of a collapsible shower curtain rail ...was a gross failure in the basic care provided to Ben such that his death by suicide was contrbuted to by neglect,’ he said.

Recording a narrative verdict, Mr Needham said Mr Hall had taken his own life while accommodated as a voluntary in patient on the acute psychiatric ward at Grianagh Court.

‘The lack of provision of a specifically designed collapsible shower curtain rail amounted to a gross systemic failure in the basic care provided to Ben and his death by suicide is likely to have been avoided had a collapsible shower rail been provided in accordance with recognised practice for such facilities.’

A statement from the Department of Health and Social Care expressed condolences to Mr Hall’s family and continued: ‘The department undertook an immediate and comprehensive review and implemented a number of measures in response.’ It said it would now consider if any further measures were necessary.

This year’s poppy appeal launch will take place at 10.30am on Saturday at The Strand Shopping Centre in Douglas.

Douglas’s mayor, Stan Cain, and mayoress Sheila Cain will declare the appeal open.

In the official party will also be Royal British Legion Isle of Man County President Stephen Rodan SHK, Royal British Legion Isle of Man County chairman Graham Hooton, Royal British Legion Isle of Man County women’s section chairman Pam Collister and Royal British Legion Isle of Man County Poppy appeal co ordinator Audrey Brown MBE.

There will also be a display commemorative stamps newly issued by Isle of Man Post Office to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. The stamps, a collaboration between Isle of Man Stamps and Coins and the Royal British Legion, depict life in the trenches, and will be available for sale on the day.

The Army Cadets under the command of Mathew Moffat will be in Strand Street collecting throughout the day.

To add to the occasion, the Ellan Vannin Pipe Band will be playing at the Strand Shopping Centre at 12.30pm and will also be collecting for the poppy appeal.

Equiom Group managing director, Sheila Dean has been shortlisted for the Citywealth Power Women Awards.

She is in the running in the categories of Woman of the Year: Leadership (Professional Services) and Woman of the Year: Business Growth (Professional Services).

New for 2015, the Power Women awards were introduced by Citywealth to champion women in the wealth sector and highlight the female leaders of today and tomorrow.

They aim to identify individual females and companies who support care giving responsibilities, female leadership and celebrate diversity in order to maximise the potential of women in the wealth sector.

Citywealth also hope they will lead to the creation of a best practice platform within the sector that collectively exercises positive social influence.

Sheila Dean said: ‘I am thrilled to have been shortlisted for these awards.

‘Women have a significant role to play at Equiom.

‘Our female managers, senior managers and directors add a different dimension to deliberations and importantly act as role models and mentors to develop the many talented women within the Equiom Group.

‘We have created a culture where career progression is unequivocally based on the ability to fulfil the objectives of the role and are satisfied that there is a strong correlation between the success of the firm and female leadership.’

The awards are being judged by a panel of senior men, as well as women, from within the wealth sector.

Online voting is now open and ends on November 28, 2014, with the winners being announced at a prestigious dinner in London on January 22, 2015.

The winners will be those found to have demonstrated individual success as women in business, including financial competence, business growth or have mentored or championed women.

Equiom have also been shortlisted in the category of Company of the Year: Female Leadership (Professional Services).

For more information about these awards: http://www.citywealthmag.com/events/power-women-awards

Potter Kathryn Mitchell was given a special commission by the Army Benevolent Fund Isle of Man to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War.

The plate and vase will be auctioned off at the Army Benevolent Fund’s annual dinner next week.

Michael MHK Alfred Cannan, who is chairman and honorary treasurer of the Fund’s island branch, last week collected the commissions from Kathryn at her studio at Lower Bishopscourt Farm, Kirk Michael.

The plate and vase features a poppy design with the words ‘The lamps are going out all over Europe’ - the words spoken by British Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey on the eve of Britain’s entry into the First World War.

Kathryn produces hand-made and hand-painted tableware such as mugs, bowls and plates, as well as creating bespoke pieces to commission.

She said: ‘It was an honour to be commissioned by the Army Benevolent Fund to create these special pieces.

‘The plate and vase were a challenge in both the design and making, but I’m very pleased with the result.

The commemorative vase and plate will be auctioned at the Army Benevolent Fund dinner to be held on Friday October 24 at the Mount Murray Golf Club.

Kathryn grew up on the island, studied and trained in Australia, then returned home in early 2013 to establish her business on the Isle of Man.

She set up her workspace last October, with the support of the Small Business Start-Up Scheme and Isle of Man Arts Council.

Of the 7,109 Manxmen who fought in the Great War, some 1,165 were killed and 987 were wounded.

More of Kathryn’s work can be found on her website: www.kathrynmitchellceramics.com

Douglas council employees have a better-than-average sickness record according to a recent report presented to councillors.

A report compiled by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) for Douglas council examined statistics for sick leave in Douglas council and compared it with the national average.

The figures, which refer to the year 2013 to 2014, recorded that Douglas council non manual employees lost an average of five days’ work compared with the average non-manual employee’s total of 10 days.

Douglas council manual employees also scored well. The report said the council’s manual employees lost, on average, 10 days’ employment through sick leave during the year. This compares favourably with the average manual worker who loses an average of 11 days’ employment through illness.

The report said the average number of days’ sickness across all emplyees in Douglas council was eight, per employee, compared with the average for all employees in local government, according to the CIPD 2013 survey, of nine days per employee.

A rise in sickness levels and consequent time off work in the UK was recorded in 2013 in the CIPD report but this was not reflected at the council which had shown an overall decrease in the average number of sick days taken per employee.

Council members heard a factor in this could be the written absence management policy in place at the council. Line managers who had responsibility for attendance at work of employees were helped and supported in managing short and long-term absences. Ill-health management policies took account of the needs both of the employee and those of the council and each case was dealt with on an individual basis which aimed to be fair and consistent.

Councillors agreed a clear approach to managing absence should be maintained, line managers should intervene where necessary and all employees should be kept informed of up-to-date absence procedures.

In future, councillors thought it would be helpful to include figures for the past three years in the report.

The Douglas branch of the British Legion may be forced to close down if more volunteers cannot be found.

The organisation holds its annual general meeting on Monday, October 27, at 8.30pm in the pool room of the Manx Legion Club on Market Hill, Douglas.

Secretary Hilary Cleverley said: ‘There are only 50 members left and all but a handful are under 75. We desperately need new recruits.

‘We need a younger generation to carry on the good work. Some people are under the impressions it’s an old boys’ organisation or only for ex-servicemen but anyone can join and help. It could die a death, there won’t be people to run the branches soon, recruitment is our problem.

‘We used to have 12 branches on the island but Ballaugh closed two years ago, Port St Mary went too and Colby had to amalgamate with Castletown.

‘We couldn’t do anything for our 90th anniversary or the war this year, we just don’t have the manpower.

‘It’s such a shame because the island raises far more per capita than anywhere else in the UK.

‘We’ve won that award something like 37 years running. The Poppy Appeal which always receives an amazing response here, Douglas alone raised over £25,000 last year.

‘There are several vacant at the moment. I’m secretary, treasurer, welfare worker, membership secretary and poppy organiser.

‘People who are computer literate could help but it’s not essential, we will train people. people are overloaded with work.’

To help contact Hilary on 614286 or via cleviom@msn.com

It’s a genuine attempt to engage with the public - but the content still needs to be refined.

That’s the verdict of Chief Minister Allan Bell following the third of the government’s Big Debates.

There was a near-capacity audience of 95 for last week’s public meeting at the Erin Arts Centre in Port Erin.

One more event is planned in the first round of the Big Debates - at the Manx Museum on November 4. As before, the audience will be randomly selected from the voters’ list.

But Mr Bell confirmed that future rounds would comprise open meetings.

He said: ‘It is an essential first step and genuine attempt to engage with the public.

‘I think there’s a lack of understanding from some as to what is hoped to achieve from the debate.

‘Now we are close to rebalancing the revenue budget it’s very important for people to recognise the work we have put in is only the first stage. The real challenge is the long term approach for addressing very serious issues such as the future of the health service, the sustainability of pensions and the structure of the welfare state.

‘The debate is intended to stimulate people into thinking more long term, 10 to 20 years, at how we can sustain the range of services we want and still maintain a competitive tax regime.’

Mr Bell said lessons had been learned from the first of the Big Debate sessions.

He said there may be some truth in criticisms about how vague some of the questions were and accepted the meetings must be more focused, with questions clearer and better understood and with clear outcomes at the end.

‘I think the concept is fine but I think we do have to refine the content of it,’ he said.

‘Once we get a feeling as to how the public have reacted to the first round, I would suspect that questions will become more specific. The chairman’s intention is to continue in further rounds with open meetings.’

In response to public feedback from the first two events in Peel and Ramsey the format in Port Erin was tweaked.

Presentations gave more context, some questions were removed or given more focus and voting was interspersed throughout, rather than in one block as before. There was also more detail on means testing and examples of services provided.