The lady’s voice on my office answering machine was severely admonitory.

‘Mr Cringle,’ she demanded. ‘Why don’t you ever write something nice about Christmas?’

She didn’t leave her name and number but, in the spirit of Christmas, I will let that go by the board.

The lady is right so this is my Message for Christmas 2014.

It is coming. I can reliably inform those who might not know that Christmas Day is on December 25. I just know these things.

Now for Christmas cards. I don’t send them. I devote the money to good causes. Sorry, not telling you. It’s nobody else’s business.

We also have Christmas music on Manx Radio. A little girl has seen Mommy kissing Santa Claus and ‘Frawstee the Snowmairn’ is back with us. There will also many devoted renderings by carol singers of ‘Good King Wenceslas.’

We call him Good?

There he is in his castle on Boxing Day and he looks out of the window and he sees a poor man out in miserably cold weather gathering old bits of wood for the fire in his humble cottage.

What was the Good King Wenceslas doing on Christmas Day? That is when he should have invited the poor old fellow into his banqueting hall to ply him with food and wine instead of letting him shiver beside an empty fireplace.

One last thing. A Merry Christmas to all my readers.

I mean it.

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John Kerruish emailed from Peel to say he was listening the Post Offices emergency debate in the House of Keys last week and heard Douglas North MHK John Houghton tell members that he had been ‘born into a Post Office family’, and Douglas South MHK David Cretney interjected: ‘It’s delivered actually.’

I wonder if Mr Houghton’s parents stuck a stamp on him and, if they did, where.

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People may have seen a breakdown truck owned by ‘Rambo and Son’ out and about.

Sly has decided to set up in business in the Isle of Man?

No. I once wrote about seeing the truck and now Tony Sanderson admits to being this particular Rambo.

He doesn’t look or sound like Sylvester Stallone and he doesn’t look like somebody who might want to kill you.

So why Rambo? It seems he got the nickname when he lifted up a car under repair in the workshop to release a fellow mechanic trapped under it.

I bet Sly couldn’t do that.

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A tabloid newspaper last week said 63 per cent of our Christmas television programmes will be repeats. Excellent.

That means we can avoid a lot of the new stuff.

Sky says ‘Believe in Better.’ You have to believe that there is something better.

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Every Tuesday evening I go to the home in Douglas of the widow of an old friend of mine for a few drinks and then take taxi home.

I have an account at A1 Taxis and last Tuesday I rang them and the girl despatcher said: ‘Hello Mr Cringle. You’re at the usual I take it.’

There’s no hiding place, especially when you’re a media celebrity (Isle of Man only. Terms and conditions apply.)

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Friends keep telling me that I am a very heavy drinker. They are correct.

I’ll have to go on a diet.

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I have been presented with a very nice drinking water bottle by the people who run Walk and Talk at the NSC. It is a gift for having, not long ago, logged a total of 10 miles. Now I am well on my way to 25 miles and I am told that will then be in line for another gift – a T-shirt.

They expect me to wear that out on the track in the winter?

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This week’s Manx crossword clue has come in from Sara Goodwins and the Daily Telegraph cryptic, as follows: ‘Solve problems of currency and go away during Tourist Trophy (12) – TROUBLESHOOT.’

It’s a tricky one.

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Texting for Seniors: BTW. Bring The Wheelchair.

Friends of the Earth co-ordinator Cat Turner sets out the sources of climate guidance for investment firms wanting to ensure their clients are properly positioned for the future

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A fortnight ago I took a brief look at why the finance sector should be ensuring it’s well up-to-speed on sustainability issues, including, especially, climate change.

In the UK, this process is well under way: the UK Government’s ‘Carbon Plan’ sets out its long-term plans to meet mandatory carbon-cutting targets under the Climate Change Act 2008, which as an EU member state it has to do.

The Carbon Plan lists the key actions (on a sector by sector basis) that the UK government departments (and the devolved administrations) are taking, during this decade and going into the 2020s, as well as the many opportunities for private sector involvement.

The plan gets updated annually, and you can find it here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-carbon-plan-reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions--2

It would be good to see our own government being so publicly committed to de-carbonising – the island has a long and depressing history of being the ‘bad guy’ (smuggling, tax evasion and now what could be seen as an irresponsible lack of progress on carbon commitments), but we’ve the potential to become a hub for good practice and a flourishing clean economy.

And, even better, we’ve the chance to find new employment avenues for our financial services industry.

Why’s this? Well, the opportunities that clean business in the UK, here and elsewhere bring, include the possibility of new jobs, tax revenues and investor potential – including through Isle of Man administered arrangements; and as investors get to grips with the impacts of climate change on the value of their investments, several trends have emerged.

1. Environmental/climate change investment strategies

Even in mainstream (that is, non-environmental) funds, investors are checking that their portfolios take sufficient account of climate change issues. This includes: cutting the climate change risks in their portfolios by pressurising fund managers to put in place their own climate change strategies; the development of guidelines and principles to help investors address climate change issues in their portfolios (I’ve looked at these below); and investors putting pressure on investee companies to address climate change issues themselves.

2. Environmental/climate change investment funds

There’s an absolute slew of newly-developed investment products related to climate change. London is home to a good many of these, and a few are also already being managed or administered from the island – but with the right skills, we can attract more.

3. Reducing operational climate change impacts

Investors are also trying to cut their own climate change impacts, and lots are in any case subject to climate change legislation as a business in their own right. Carbon accounting and reporting, and new procurement and practical ways of doing things, again offer scope for new business development.

4. Climate change issues relevant to insurers, and specific obligations on pension fund trustees

These mostly require trustees to disclose their environmental, social and ethical policies in their investment decision-making processes

ShareAction in the UK has a teriffic ‘Green Light Campaign’ aimed at empowering individuals like you and me to hold their pension fund trustees to account in protecting the planet – it’s worth checking out, whether for altrustic reasons or selfish ones. After all you don’t want your own pension pot to become worthless through too much exposure to fossil fuels!

In terms of guidance on climate change strategies for investors, there’s quite an array.

They include:

– the UN Principles of Responsible Investment, which has been signed up to by many major organisations.

– the Financial Reporting Council’s UK Stewardship Code.

– the Ceres/INCR climate risk action plan.

– the Institutional Investors’ Group on Climate Change guides on climate change for private equity and property investors.

– the US-oriented ‘Carbon Principles’.

– the European Investment Bank’s Emissions Performance Standard.

– for lenders, the Equator Principles.

– the Climate Disclosure Standards Board’s investor engagement programme.

– the British Venture Capital Association’s “Responsible Investment: A guide for private equity and venture capital firms’. This covers general environmental, social and governance issues – not just climate change.

It would be redundant, and dull, to go through all of these in detail, but it’s worth taking a brief look at one set to see what types of issues are involved.

The UN Principles of Responsible Investment (PRI) are a set of global voluntary guidelines for institutional investors on integrating environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues into their investment decisions.

The PRI don’t expressly refer to climate change.

However, as climate change is probably the current most important environmental issue there is, there’s no doubt that signatories to the PRI must consider it – as well as other environmental issues. The PRI has more than 1,100 signatories, comprising asset owners, investment managers and professional service partners.

It demands that signatories:

– Incorporate ESG issues into their investment analysis and decision-making processes, and into their ownership policies and practice;

– Encourage the companies they invest in to disclose ESG issues;

– Promote the PRI within the investment industry and work together to enhance their effectiveness;

– Report on their own progress in implementing the PRI.

These, and the other sets of guidance I’ve listed, make sense not just from an altruistic perspective. They also help protect the investors’ money, by cutting the risk that they’ll be holding ‘stranded assets’ – investments that become devalued or worthless as regulations come into force that prevent industrial reliance on fossil fuels and the like.

The tide’s turning, and we need to turn with it!

Author and former Isle of Man Newspapers reporter Sue Woolley, who still sometimes contributes to the papers, will be signing copies of a new book titled The Midwood Collection at St Paul’s Bookshop, Ramsey, tomorrow (Friday) from 5pm to 7pm.

The book contains 150 images produced by the firm of Midwood from 1880 when the business was started, right up to 1948 when it closed.

The images are from the postcard collections of two local enthusiasts, Les Clarke and Ray Stanfield.

It is unique in that it is the first time such a large selection has appeared together in print.

The Midwood Collection is published in hardback by Lily Publications and costs £16.95.

An advocate has criticised the island’s proposed equality law.

Paul Beckett said: ‘In using the UK’s Equality Act 2010 as the precedent for the Equality Bill, the Isle of Man Government has unconsciously adopted the prejudices of the UK’s inner circles of power inherent in the way that Act is put together and in what it covers; particularly their abhorrence of social and cultural rights.

‘Poverty relief is clearly not on the agenda.’

He added: ‘Our government has also overlooked the UK’s Equality Act 2006, which consolidated and expanded the role of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights. The Isle of Man Government’s putting forward the Equality Bill is only half the story - the walls are going up, but the footings aren’t in.’

As the Manx Independent went to press last night, he was addressing the Isle of Man United Nations Association with a talk entitled ‘A Human Rights Commission for the Isle of Man? Is the Equality Bill only half the story?’

Isle of Man United Nations Association secretary Andrew Newton said: ‘Our association exists to foster debate about international issues that affect the island. The proposed Equality Bill is a case in point where international standards and experience need to be considered.’

The MHK who wasn’t paying towards his own pension has issued a statement about the situation.

Today’s Manx Independent reveals that Douglas North MHK John Houghton was not contributing under the voluntary scheme.

Two weeks ago the paper revealed that 23 out of the island’s 24 MHKs were paying. But at the time, the government couldn’t say which MHK wasn’t paying because of confidentiality rules.

That led to a flurry of activity as MHKs produced pay slips to prove they were paying.

In today’s paper, Mr Houghton tells reporter Adrian Darbyshire that he wasn’t lying about the matter and it was all a misunderstanding.

Mr Houghton’s statement reads:

On Tuesday 9th December 2014 I issued Mr Adrian Darbyshire [reporter with Isle of Man Newspapers] a written authority for disclosure of my contributions which he was able to gain directly from the Treasury.

At 8.15am on Wednesday 10th December 2014 I received a telephone call from Malcolm Couch, the Chief Financial Officer and was informed for the FIRST TIME that no such contributions were being deducted from my salary. I was shocked and horrified to learn of this.

Sometime in April 2012 following the debate into contributions, I duly completed the application form for regular deductions from my monthly pay and submitted it to the Treasury Payroll Section. I clearly recall that in May 2012, the following month, my pay had accordingly been reduced and so from then I was confident that I was contributing and as such I have never seen the need to subsequently revert to this matter.

A contributing factor to this misunderstanding is, usually, due to Tynwald Members receiving the same amount of pay each month; month in and month out. I simply do not bother to look at my monthly salary payslips and they are discarded.

When I receive my regular bank statements my pay is, as usual, the same amount which is a private matter and it is through this process that I recall picking up on the reduced payment made in May 2012 salary. This is the reason why I was and remained emphatically confident that I was paying my regular voluntary contributions to this day and without the need to check any further.

I must point out that at no time has the Treasury Pay Section contacted me to remind me that no deductions in respect of contributions were being made. During previous discussions with other Tynwald Members on this matter it was always assumed that whoever was not paying their contributions must surely have been notified by the Treasury on more than one occasion, reminding them that they were not contributing to this voluntary arrangement. I stress that no such contact has ever been received by me and in order for me to exonerate myself from this distressing matter, I have asked the Treasury to confirm that I have never received any reminders in relation to non-payment of contributions since the voluntary scheme began. Had I received such a helpful reminder, I would have acted upon it immediately.

I, however, make no criticism of the loyal and dedicated staff working in the Payroll Section, who are known to operate with integrity.

In summary therefore I submitted my form in April 2012 to the Treasury and from that date onwards I was confident that deductions were being taken. I have never been informed otherwise since that time and I cannot be made responsible for a lost or misplaced form. I will be pleased to rectify the matter as I fully support the Tynwald Members submitting voluntary contributions to their pension scheme.

I will ask the Treasury to clarify that no such reminders have been sent and will forward the correspondence to the media in order to protect my integrity which is the best I can do. It is most regrettable that such an embarrassing situation has arisen in these circumstances, which has, indeed, quite unnecessarily put the integrity of all members under scrutiny.

A reward of up to £1,000 is being offered by the Isle of Man charity Crimestoppers to help the identification and pursuit of the perpetrators of recent vandalism attacks on motor vehicles in Castletown.

In the early hours of November 29 a total of 38 parked vehicles were damaged which largely involved wing mirrors and wiper blades being torn off, while three vehicles also had tyres punctured.

The cost of the damage is likely to run in to the tens of thousands of pounds.

The trail of vandalism stretched from the Janet’s Corner area, down Bowling Green Road, via Pickard Close, Smetana Close towards Athol Terrace and across the pedestrian bridge over the Silverburn River.

The route of the damage also includes vehicles parked in Paradise Lane, Northcroft Apartments, Malew Street and The Crofts.

Witnesses reported seeing three males in their teens or early 20s causing damage to one vehicle in The Crofts at around 3am. They were described as slim or athletic in build and wearing dark clothing with hoods over their heads.

Anyone who provides information to Crimestoppers which leads to someone being arrested and charged with the offences will be eligible for the financial reward. The independent Isle of Man charity Crimestoppers provides a way for all members of the community to pass on information about crime anonymously by ringing the Crimestoppers hotline 0800 555111. All calls are handled by the UK Crimestoppers’ Call Centre, so Isle of Man callers can therefore be assured of their complete anonymity. Information can also be given anonymously online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Phil O’Shea, Acting Chair, of Isle of Man Crimestoppers, said:

“These incidents of vandalism have caused damage running into tens of thousands of pounds and caused stress and inconvenience for the vehicle owners. Criminal activity such as this is clearly unacceptable. We hope that the offer of this reward will encourage anyone who has information about who took part in these vandal attacks – but who may not wish to divulge such information directly to the police – to pass on what they know anonymously to Crimestoppers.’

Sergeant Andy Kneen said: ‘Inquiries into this case are continuing. Officers from southern neighbourhood policing team arrested and interviewed a Castletown man in connection with this series of offences. He was subsequently bailed without charge. The police are still speaking with potential witnesses and await the results of CCTV and forensic lines of inquiry.

‘I would urge anyone that has any information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, to come forward as it may assist us in seeing the full picture.”

‘Anyone calling Crimestoppers who requests a reward will be given a code which will be the only way of identifying them any time they ring back or collect a reward.

‘They will be asked to contact Crimestoppers at a later date to find out if the information they have given has led to somebody being arrested and charged.

‘If this is confirmed, a process for the caller to collect the reward will be confirmed with the assurance that their anonymity will not be compromised.

There’s a big game at the foot of the Canada Life Premier League on Saturday as third-bottom Gymns host second-bottom Michael in Tromode.

Saturday, December 13

Canada Life Premier League

2pm Corinthians v St John’s Utd

2pm Gymns v Michael Utd

2pm Laxey v St Mary’s

2pm Peel v Union Mills

2pm Ramsey v DHSOB

2pm St George’s v Rushen Utd

JCK Division Two

2pm Douglas & District v Braddan

2pm Douglas Athletic v Governor’s Athletic

2pm Foxdale v Douglas Royal

2pm Malew v Marown

2pm Pulrose United v Colby

2pm RYCOB v Onchan

Canada Life Combination One

2pm DHSOB v Ramsey

2pm Michael United v Gymns

2pm Rushen United v St George’s

2pm St John’s Utd v Corinthians

2pm St Mary’s v Laxey

2pm Union Mills v Peel

JCK Combination Two

2pm Braddan v Douglas and District

2pm Colby v Pulrose United

2pm Douglas Royal v Foxdale

2pm Marown v Malew

2pm Onchan v RYCOB

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Sunday, December 14

Paddy Power Masters Football

2.10pm Michael Utd v Laxey @ Bowl

3.40pm Douglas & District v Colby B @ Bowl

Appleby 16-18 League

10.30am Colby v Onchan

10.30am Peel v Braddan

5.15pm Laxey v Corinthians @ Bowl

More than 40 members of the business community enjoyed drinks, canapés and a wine tasting session to celebrate the official launch of the newly refurbished and rebranded historic business offices at 64a Athol Street, known as St James’s Chambers.

The project started in July this year and saw the 19th century building undergo a substantial change in layout.

This involved the first floor offices being opened up to provide a single open plan floor in what was previously configured as two separate buildings.

The conversion to provide a modern, stylish office suite of approximately 2,700 sq ft has been achieved whilst retaining the historical character and features of the property. “

Although its origins are unclear, the name of St. James has been associated with the building since it first opened for business in the mid-1800s. St James’s emblem was the scallop, which pilgrims often wore on their hats and coats and which fittingly informs the new logo for the premises.

St James’s Chambers has been a permanent fixture of the island’s business district almost since the island first truly opened for business in the late 1700s.

Fuelled by the boom in international trade and the birth of the affluent merchant classes, by 1784 the population of Douglas had expanded from approximately 800 in 1710 to 2,500 residents, compared to today’s population of close to 28,000.

Athol Street played a prominent role in the expansion of Douglas as large houses of the Georgian style, designed by architect John Taggart, began to dominate the centre.

St James’s Chambers began life as a ‘dwelling house, garden and premises’ and formed part of the blueprint for Athol Street as we know it today.

The property has since been used as a noted residence, accommodated a town shop known as the Bazaar, become a furniture sales room and auction house and, at the turn of the nineteenth century acted as a popular venue for poetry readings, dances and community meetings.

Since 1987, the building has been used as offices and it was acquired by Nigel and Jon McGowan in 2008, almost 200 years after it was built.

Sue McGowan, who, as managing director of St James’s Chambers, led the project said at the launch event: ‘Working on older buildings is always a challenge but we had excellent support from David Baxter of Progeny, Tim Foster of TDF Renovation, Mark Gelling decorators, Magic Carpets and Tom Chapman of Chapman & Co.

‘When it came to creating the new branding for St James’s Chambers, we worked closely with Tony Garland of Heads Up Design who was supported by Cannell Print, Dolls Factory, Krafty Keepsakes and we mustn’t forget to mention the Manx Museum for assistance with research and providing archive imagery.

‘For the launch event we need to thank the Wine Cellar, Genesis Gallery, ELS lighting and Alexander Nurseries and we are pleased to be able to donate £400 to Manx Cancer Help this evening through proceeds, matched by St. James’s Chambers from the auctioned case of wine.

‘The project has been a great challenge but very interesting and I’m pleased to say very well received by those who joined us for the launch event.’

Nigel McGowan addressed the guests to convey the extent and nature of the project and explained: ‘This has been a significant investment for us, but we believe that while the island’s economic climate remains challenging, it’s vitally important that Douglas has a vibrant central business district to attract business to the island and therefore investment by landlords, Government and other stakeholders is very important.’

Alf Cannan MHK, said: ‘The regeneration of the island’s central commercial district needs to strike a delicate balance between the preservation of our commercial heritage and the modernisation of our infrastructure and facilities and this project shows just how well that can be done.

‘The St James’s Chambers team have set a benchmark for quality and demonstrated the vital role of the island’s business leaders in helping shape our economic future. Huge congratulations are in order for all involved.’

The results of the public consultation clearly supported a move towards the International GCSE.

Director of education Geoff Moorcroft has responded to criticism from Ramsey Grammar School’s retiring head teacher David Trace, who said changes to the GCSE system ‘had flown in the face of what the public wanted’.

In a letter sent to Isle of Man Newspapers, Mr Moorcroft said: ‘Respondents were asked whether they felt that educational qualifications offered in schools in the Isle of Man should be as politically independent of other governments as possible. Fifty-nine per cent of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that this ought to be the case.

‘Mr Trace seems to draw the conclusion that this means people on the Isle of Man feel that the Minister for Education and Children should not determine educational policy.

‘In contrast, the Minister made his decision in the light of the very wide consultation and reflected the views of the public in the position he took.’

In his final address at the school’s annual prize-giving, Mr Trace said the ability of his successor to control budgets was now ‘all but removed’.

He described the new system as a ‘bureaucratic nightmare’, with collapsing IT systems and a 50 per cent cleaning force.

Mr Moorcroft said: ‘Devolved financial management of schools has not been removed from schools in any meaningful sense.

‘As part of a wider government priority to streamline services, responsibility for a small number of the employees previously directly employed by the Department of Education and Children (in catering, cleaning etc) has been centralised as part of a new shared services agreement. As a result, these budgets have also been transferred over.’

Mr Trace also criticised ‘the data-driven, results-obsessed culture that the Isle of Man appears to have adopted from England’.

The director of education responded that the Isle of Man’s Essentials for Learning curriculum ‘has at its heart the requirement for schools to put in place curricula that fully develop students as rounded individuals whose attitudes are as important as their attainment’.

He said: ‘Much work has been undertaken and this has earned the commendation of numerous international observers for its commitment to developing the whole child.

‘Nonetheless, it is important for all schools to continue to offer learning opportunities that challenge, stimulate and engage pupils and provide pathways to the best possible outcomes for them, whether they are academic, personal or social.’

• To read Mr Moorcroft’s letter in full, see page 22.

Three legends of rugby at to speak in the island in the new year.

Wooden Spoon Isle of Man’s pre-six nations dinner will take place at the Palace Hotel in Douglas on January 23.

It will feature Gareth Thomas, former captain of both the Wales Grand Slam-winning team and the Lions tour in New Zealand, Kyran Braken, a former Lion and captain of England and Saracens and Ray French a commentator on rugby league.

Off the rugby field Thomas has built a strong media profile and appeared in television documentaries, chat shows and feature films both in the UK and abroad. He was an analyst on ITV’s 2011 Rugby World Cup coverage and appeared in Celebrity Big Brother and Dancing on Ice.

Braken was a member of the triumphant England World Cup team in 2003, including winning his 50th Cap against Wales in the quarter-final. After starring in and winning Dancing on Ice in 2007 he toured with the Holiday on Ice show and joined Torvill and Dean’s Dancing on Ice tour.

French, who will be the evening’s MC, is, like Gareth Thomas, = a former rugby union and league dual- code international..After his playing days Ray continued to coach rugby and commentated for the BBC on every Challenge Cup final between 1982 and 2008.

The evening will be a relaxed format rather than strictly formal and the dinner is to raise funds aimed at the purchase of equipment for the Manx Miracles inspired Sensory Room at the Pre School Assessment Centre in Pulrose .

Allan Thompson, Isle of Man chairman of Wooden Spoon, said: ‘We are a children’s charity that is dedicated to helping underprivileged children and young people all over the British Isles and Ireland to live happier, richer lives. Funds that we raise on the Isle of Man are used solely on island and the sensory room is our current major project.’

Tickets cost £65 per person.

More details from Mr Thompson alant@manx.net or phone 475810.

A 63-year-old motorist accused of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving has appeared before Douglas magistrates.

Linda Ann Thompson, of Ballamanaugh Road, Sulby, is being charged in relation to the death of Kathryn Burge on the main Kirk Michael Road next to Mona Cottage on August 4.

Ms Burge, aged 41, from Lonan was a physiotherapist who worked at Noble’s Hospital. She was also a keen cyclist and fell runner.

Mrs Thompson did not enter a plea and the case was adjourned at the request of her advocate Stephen Wood.

She is to reappear in one week’s time on December 18. In the meantime she was bailed in the sum of £500 and must not leave the Isle of Man without the leave of the court.

Queen Elizabeth II High School will stage its Christmas concert on Tuesday (December 16), from 7pm till 9pm.

Tickets priced £4 adults, £2 children or £10 family ticket are available at school reception.

Call 841000.

Free parking is to end at the airport in the New Year, the government confirmed today.

The change comes into effect from Monday, January 5.

The changes were announced by the Department of Infrastructure on October 22 as part of a package of measures aimed at securing the additional income necessary to make ends meet.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/government-to-charge-charge-and-charge-again-1-6910476|Click here to read how we reported the charges that the Department of Infrastructure announced in October, some of which have changed in the intervening period.}

The 30-minute free parking period is to be removed. Starting on January 5, the changes to the current fees for the short-stay and long-stay car parks will be –

0 to 60 minutes - £1

61 to 120 minutes (ie second hour) - £2

Up to 4 hours - £3.50 short stay and £3 long stay

First day rate charges to increase by 50p – to £13.50 short stay and £13 long stay

Arrangements for dropping off passengers via the outer lane in front of the terminal building will continue.

The revised car parking charges are expected to generate income of up to £75,000 a year.

Over the last year, the airport and harbours divisions have merged and there has been a cut in staff numbers of about 10 per cent, including the loss of a senior management post.

Staff cost savings in 2013/14 at the airport were close to £500,000 and this year the ports division is forecast to save up to £750,000.

Minister Phil Gawne MHK said: ‘Significant progress has been achieved in terms of reducing operating costs at the airport.

‘We have made extensive efforts to get our own house in order before introducing any new charges. We are mindful of the potential impact on the public, but believe a charge of £1 for the first hour’s parking at the airport is reasonable.

‘Even with the new pricing structure in place the Isle of Man would compare favourably to the vast majority of airports throughout the British Isles where parking fees are considerably higher.’

The new parking arrangements at the airport are part of a wide range of initiatives to help government balance its books.

Infrastructure is responsible for making up a shortfall of £5 million in the current financial year, which is half of government’s overall target for 2014-15.

The department has been in discussion with passenger groups to inform them of the forthcoming changes.

Ann Reynolds, director of ports, said: ‘We have carried out a further review of car parking at the airport and also took into account the comments that were submitted in the summer of 2013 when the £1 charge for the first hour was first proposed.

‘With the exception of Gloucester and Guernsey, other regional airports flying to and from the Isle of Man charge between £1.40 and £11 for the first hour of parking.

‘Our charges for longer stays are also substantially lower in comparison. In addition, people can still drive up to the front of the terminal building to drop off passengers without charge, which is extremely unusual nowadays.’

Douglas North MHK John Houghton says he is angry that Treasury did not tell him he was not paying towards his pension.

Mr Houghton was revealed today as the one MHK who has not been making voluntary contributions to his Tynwald pension.

He insists it was all a misunderstanding and he had no idea he wasn’t contributing. He insisted he has not lied to anyone and has pledged to make arrangements to pay his contribution arrears going back to April 2012.

Mr Houghton told iomtoday: ‘I’m actually very angry - angry because I feel as if I’ve been let down. It would have been much more helpful for the Treasury to have simply let me know from day one that they hadn’t received the form and sent me another one. One chance was all I was asking for.

‘I had no idea whatsoever – that’s why I was emphatically confident that I was paying my dues.

‘I wouldn’t lie to anyone. What’s the point of lying because if you lie you get found out.’

A family trust has come up with half the money needed to fund the Family Library and Mobile Family Library for an additional three years.

The Scheinberg family have responded to the libraries’ call for a new financial backer by confirming it will fund £125,000 of the annual running costs for a three-year period.

The services have been run as a charity through the auspices of the Manx Educational Foundation since 2012. The current funding deal with PokerStars expires next summer.

MEF director Kurt Roosen said: ‘This is wonderful news and a remarkable gesture from the Scheinberg family.

‘The family recognises the valuable services we provide and shares our vision to continue to expand and improve.

‘We are very grateful to them and will now continue our search to find the rest of the funding to cover our yearly costs.’

The Scheinberg family is based in the island and a spokesman said: ‘We have been very impressed with the services the libraries continue to offer the island and are happy to contribute towards future funding.’

The Family Library is based in Westmoreland Road in Douglas and is home to the largest collection of books for young people in the island. There are more than 2,000 members and 235 teachers are also signed up to it.

To find out more about funding opportunities for the Family Library and the Mobile Family Library, email Kurt Roosen at kurt.roosen@mef.im

Law firm Quinn Legal has scored a hat trick of wins having recently been awarded 2014 Overall Law Firm of the Year – Isle of Man by specialist corporate finance publishers Acquisition International.

Quinn Legal have been award winners for the last three years.

Acquisition International launched these awards to pay tribute to the most influential performers in the legal profession.

The awards are presented solely on merit and are given to those most deserving for advice and services provided over the last 12 months.

James Quinn, head of Quinn Legal, said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted to receive recognition on behalf of Quinn Legal for the third successive year.

‘To win an award once is an achievement but to win three years in a row is amazing.

‘Overall Law Firm of the Year is a coveted title and recognises the commitment to the consistently high standards that all of my team work to.

‘We are committed to making a difference for our clients and awards such as these remind us that what we do matters to people.

‘We are delighted to have won awards for the last three years but we recognise that it is the future that matters most for us and our clients.’

The year 2014 has also been a very good year for trainees at Quinn Legal. Earlier this year Ashley Kneale was called to the Manx Bar and commissioned as an Advocate.

Ashley is also the first Football Association registered lawyer in the Isle of Man.

Following in Ashley’s footsteps Kim O’Brien has recently passed all four Manx Bar exams at her first attempt, receiving the honour of the Deemsters’ Commendation for a ‘distinguished performance’. This recognition is reserved for an exceptional result and isn’t awarded every year. Kim is now completing her two year training before being called to the Manx Bar.

Kim O’Brien said: ‘I am delighted to have passed and achieved the Deemsters’ Commendation in the Manx Bar exams.

‘I am extremely grateful to my colleagues and Quinn Legal for all of the support that I have received and I am now looking forward to continuing my career development.’

Boss James Quinnsaid: ‘I’m very proud of both Ashley and Kim.

‘Their hard work and dedication to their profession has paid off and I am really excited about the calibre of the junior lawyers that we have at Quinn Legal.

‘It bodes very well for the future and will allow us to continue to provide our distinct brand of legal services to our ever growing client base.’

Quinn Legal was established five years ago by James Quinn

Rumours that work on upgrading houses in the Willaston area of Douglas has stopped are completely untrue, a Douglas Councillor has confirmed.

Councillor David Ashford who represents the Victoria ward said he wanted to scotch rumours that the refurbishment work had come to an end.

‘The rumours have spread because people have seen things being packed away but it will continue and we working with the Department of Health and Social Care and are now looking at moving on to phase two,’ he said.

‘We are hoping to get the agreement of the various design consultants soon and the plan is to carry on with the next phase of the work in the summer, starting in May or June we think.’

He said some of the properties in the estate had suffered from bad damp problems for some time and rather than tackling specific blocks or rows of houses they had targeted those with the worst problems and tried to address these ahead of the others.

‘So far we have been concentrating on the worst cases of damp,’ he said.

He added the Willaston estate, which is the largest single estate of public sector housing in the island, comprises more than 730 properties.

So far the refurbishment work has been completed on 30 properties and the council is aiming to tackle 70 properties each year. On that basis they expect to finish the project in around 10 years’ time.

‘Because it’s the largest estate in the island, it’s a challenge,’ Councillor Ashford said.

Over the course of the 10 years, the project is expected to cost £40 million. In addition to the refurbishments, there is a hope there may be a sheltered housing complex built on the site of the old police station. He said the council was in the process of putting together a business case in support of the idea.

‘It would allow elderly people who want to stay in the Willaston area to down size without moving away from their friends,’ he said.

‘And it would have the advantage of perhaps freeing up some larger properties and making them available to be rented out to families who need more space.’

A public artwork that pays tribute to the RNLI was unveiled in Ramsey on Wednesday evening as part of the town’s regeneration.

The piece, entitled ‘When I Grow Up,’ is a life-sized bronze sculpture of a child dressed in the oversized clothing of a lifeboatman.

Based on the real-life nephew of an RNLI volunteer and created by local sculptor Darren Jackson, it stands in front of the Lifeboat shop in Market Hill on a granite plinth from Poortown quarry.

Ramsey Commissioners’ chairman Nigel Malpass officially unveiled the artwork in front of a crowd on Wednesday evening.

He said: ‘The commissioners wanted to add something to the regeneration work in Ramsey, and we thought Darren’s idea perfectly matched our ideals.

‘It recognises that Ramsey is still a working harbour town, and all the work done by the volunteers of the RNLI.

He added: ‘Not only does it pay tribute to them, but also to the circle of life and how the new generation rises up to take their place in society.

‘It’s part of the theme of regeneration, which only works if people stand up and take part.’

Captain Malpass also praised the people of Ramsey for all their contributions to the regeneration programme, which was only partially funded by the government’s regeneration scheme.

He said: ‘It’s thanks to the people of Ramsey, who put their hands in their pockets and contributed, that we have been able to do so much for the town.’

A union has welcomed the decision to postpone the closure of the crown post offices in Douglas and Ramsey - but has warned that any compulsory redundancies would be ‘completely unacceptable’.

The Communication Workers Union condemned Isle of Man Post’s initial decision to close the post offices in Regent Street, Douglas, and Parliament Street, Ramsey and move existing services to sub-post offices in nearby Spar shops.

Following public protests and an emergency debate in the House of Keys, MHKs voted on December 2 to postpone the transfer for three months.

Terry Pullinger, the union’s national officer, said he was reassured by the move.

He said: ‘We have held meetings with the Isle of Man Post Office and they have confirmed that the three month consultation process is one that will provide a genuine opportunity for the communities of Douglas and Ramsey, and the CWU, to place alternative proposals to the conversion proposition which will be meaningfully considered.’

The union, which represents non-managerial staff working for Royal Mail and boasts over 200,000 members, have also praised the public’s support for their staff.

Mr Pullinger said: ‘While the loyal public servants represented by the CWU are still shocked and devastated by the initial callous decision and announcement by the business, they are equally overwhelmed by the massive public support that has been shown for the retention of these Isle of Man Post Office flagship retail outlets.’

The union’s local branch confirmed their support for the 19 affected staff at a meeting last week, and the CWU have warned that they will fight any redundancies.

‘On December 4 2014 a well-attended union meeting took place. CWU members employed throughout the Isle of Man Post Office, including the delivery function, were 100 per cent supportive of the counters members.

‘There is a clear determination that whatever the outcome, our agreements in respect of surplus employees will be adhered to and that any compulsory redundancy would be totally unacceptable.

Mr Pullinger added: ‘We are of course conscious that there are both social and commercial issues to be both considered and responded to, but we remain extremely positive that with the support of the community, local businesses and the local and national political machinery that this short-sighted decision can be reversed and a far more robust long-term arrangement can be agreed which ensures the IOM Post Office still retains Crown Offices.

‘These offices would then provide the platform from which a whole series of new products and services could be launched which would enable and ensure that the IOM Post Office is in the best position to respond to the challenges of the future whilst still providing an outstanding excellent public service.’

PwC Mixed Premier

Canaccord Genuity Vikings A will be hoping to end their

season on a high when they meet Celton Manx Celts at Castle Rushen on Saturday.

Steve Crowe’s Vikings side have been unbeaten in their last three matches and should prove to be too strong for Celts.

Paul Kelly’s Celts will be boosted by last weekend’s victory over Sabres but will need to be at their best if they are to cause an upset here.

PwC Mixed Division One

Bacchas C prepare to meet Crowe Morgan Valkyrs C in Saturday’s lunchtime fixture at QEII knowing that they can seal the runners-up spot if they can avoid defeat.

John McCarrick’s Bacchas have been unbeaten in their last three games and, having already claimed victory over the westerners earlier in the season, they will feel confident of claiming both points here.

Valkyrs C will be aiming to build on last week’s impressive win over Ravens by securing victory here a result which could see Valkyrs B claim the runners-up spot if they can defeat Vikings B.

PwC Mixed Division Three

Canaccord Genuity Vikings D will try and secure the runners-up spot in PwC Mixed Division Three when they meet Harlequins Colts.

Recently-crowned champions Quins have been in impressive form this season and will be determined to end the season on a high.

Vikings defeated Harlequins earlier in the season and will be hoping for a repeat performance here.

If Harlequins come out on top, Bacchas D can claim the runners-up spot if they beat Ramsey Robins.

PwC Mixed Under-16s

Canaccord Genuity Vikings round off the PwC Mixed Under-16s’ season when they meet Bacchas B.

Paul Wood’s Vikings have been in good form recently and will be confident of claiming victory.

Bacchas have not claimed a point yet this season and it would take a big change in fortunes if they are to claim victory here.

l Full round-up of all Saturday’s hockey in Tuesday’s Isle of Man Examiner.

Saturday’s fixtures

PwC Mixed Premier Division

Celton Manx Celts

v Canaccord Genuity Vikings A CRHS 2.05pm

Gary Corkhill, Mark Entwisle

PwC Mixed Division One

Bacchas C

v Crowe Morgan Valkyrs C QEII 12.35pm

James Harrison, Andrea Littlejohns

Crowe Morgan Valkyrs B

v Canaccord Genuity Vikings B QEII 2.05pm

Dee Gimbert, Iain Wrigley

PwC Mixed Division Three

Bacchas D v LJ Ramsey Robins NSC 2.05pm

Peter Foxton, Lindsay Riordan

Saracens Sharks

v Celton Manx Southerners CRHS 12.35pm

James Allen, Kirsty Bowley

Crowe Morgan Valkyrs D

v Harlequins B NSC 3.35pm

Nigel Birken John Harrison

Canaccord Genuity Vikings D

v Harlequins Colts NSC 12.35pm

Unappointed

PwC Mixed Under-16s League

Canaccord Genuity Vikings v Bacchas B NSC 11.05

Ian Duggua Juan Killey