The rates in Laxey are to rise by 9p in the pound.

The charge will rise from 165p in the pound to 174p from April.

The village rate had remained unchanged for four years.

This equates to an average increase of £12.70 per household and the commissioners say itis in response to the Department of Infrastructure’s proposal to transfer services to the local authority, these services include street cleaning, gulley emptying and the maintenance of hedges.

To assist with funding the government will freeze the gate fee for tipping at the Energy from Waste Plant (the incinerator), as a result of this freeze the fixed refuse charge will remain unchanged at £163 per household.

A statement from the board reads: ‘This increase is regrettable but unavoidable as the government continues to balance the books by passing costs onto the ratepayer. Unfortunately this trend is set to continue over the coming years as more services and costs are passed onto the local authorities.’

In addition to the rates, there is a fixed refuse charge of £163 per household.

Other areas:

Arbory 113p (105p last year)

Braddan 215p (219p)

Castletown 320p (320p last year)

Douglas 402p (397p)

Port Erin 288p (288p)

Port St Mary 306p (306p)

Malew Parish 175p (165p)

Marown 155p (146p)

Onchan 307p (290p)

Peel 252p (246p) plus waste charge per dwelling, up from £170 from £169

Ramsey 348p (348p)

Rushen Parish 79p (70p) plus £59 per household refuse charge (£59)

German 81p (70p) plus waste rate

Domestic rates in Onchan are to rise by nearly 6 per cent.

The figure rises from 290p in the pound to 307p.

Robin Turton, the commissioner who’s the lead member for finance and general purposes, has partly blamed the rise on the transfer of some functions from central government to local authorities.

Onchan is one of the last of the island’s large local authorities to announce its rate.

Other authorities’ rates include;

Arbory Parish 113p (105p last year)

Braddan 215p (219p)

Castletown 320p (320p)

Douglas 402p (397p)

Port Erin 288p (288p)

Port St Mary 306p (306p)

Laxey 174p (165p) plus fixed refuse charge of £163 per household

Malew Parish 175p (165p)

Marown 155p (146p)

Peel 252p (246p) plus waste charge per dwelling, up from £170 from £169

Ramsey 348p (348p)

Rushen Parish 79p (70p) plus £59 per household refuse charge (£59)

German 81p (70p) plus waste rate

Mr Turton’s speech to the board in full:

As lead member for finance and general purposes, I wish to report on the projected financial result of the authority’s rate borne activities for the financial year ended 31 March 2015 and on the budget for the forthcoming financial year ending March 31, 2016. On behalf of the board I wish to express the commissioners’ appreciation to the Authority’s officers and staff for their endeavour and hard work during another challenging year.

1.Introduction

This continues to be a challenging period for local authorities. Pressures are coming from the continuing economic situation and from changes to how central government is proposing to deliver services.

The continuing drive in central government to reduce their expenditure will probably lead to more services being passed to local authorities for funding by the ratepayer.

The authority has continued to review its expenditure and how it can provide value-for-money services to the district.

I am pleased to be able to report that when the charges imposed by or to be transferred from central government have been removed, our budgeted net rate borne expenditure is slightly below the net expenditure which we budgeted last year. This is despite inflationary pressures. The cost of our core services have therefore not contributed to the rate increase we have been required to make this year.

Transfer of services

As it has been generally reported, the Department of Infrastructure are seeking to transfer a number of services to local authorities.

The proposal is that if the local authorities and the department agree to the transfer these services, then the expected increase in the waste disposal charges imposed by central government will not be implemented for the forthcoming year.

Local authorities have already budgeted for this increase in the waste disposal charge, so this one year freeze will provide the funds to meet the expected expenditure on the transferred services.

We feel that the transfer of services will have a positive outcome, as they will be performed and administered on a local level. We believe this will result in a better service and therefore better value For money for the residents.

Waste disposal charges

I would like to take the opportunity to explain the proposal from central government in detail.

As in previous years, one of the most significant effects of the policies implemented by central government is the increase in waste disposal charges.

Since the waste disposal charge escalator was introduced in 2013-14, the charge for disposing of domestic waste has increased from £35 per tonne to £79.50 per tonne in 2014-15.

This is an increase of 127 per cent and equates to an extra 24p on the rate, which is £37 to the average household, to meet the additional charge.

If the increase is to be implemented for 2015-16 then we anticipate that the charge will rise to £103 per tonne. This is a 194 per cent increase since the start of the escalator, and an extra 38p on the rate, £59 to the average household.

This will increase the authority’s expenditure by almost £100,000 on the 2014-15 budget, which is a rate increase of an additional 14p, which adds £22 for the average household.

This cost to the authority for 2015-16, if the increase is implemented, is estimated to be £424,000. This is equivalent to 58p on the rate or £90 for the average household.

As I mentioned earlier, this expenditure has been included in our budget. It will be used to either meet the increase in waste disposal charges, or the expenditure needed to provide the additional services passed to us from the Department of Infrastructure.

The waste disposal charges escalator set by the Department of Infrastructure is due to run each year until 2018-19. We anticipate that our domestic waste disposal charges will therefore increase by a similar amount for each of these years.

As we did last year, I want to forewarn residents that these increases in expenditure will result in rate increases during this period. The increased waste disposal charges alone will result in increases in expenditure which equate to a 14p rate increase per annum. This is currently £22 per annum for the average household.

As we are aware of the increased disposal charges, we continue to offer bring bank sites where residents can recycle their waste. This has reduced the waste which is taken to the Energy from Waste plant [incinerator], reducing our waste disposal charges at minimal cost to the ratepayers of the district.

Overall net expenditure

The executive staff continue to review our net expenditure in order to identify savings where possible. Our aim is to provide value-for-money services, based on competitive costing but at no detriment to the quality of the service provided.

I am pleased to report that, when central government charges are excluded, the budget for the next financial year shows a small reduction in the net expenditure, compared to the current year’s budget. This is in the face of increased inflationary costs and whilst continuing to offer a quality, cost effective service to the community.

Housing

The management of our local social housing is an integral part of the authority’s work.

Housing is financed by the rents received, which pay for the administration and maintenance of the properties, as well as creating a housing reserve which is separate and ring-fenced from the rate-borne reserves.

During the current financial year the authority has completed a project to create five much-needed social housing apartments in the old police station in Elm Drive.

This is in addition to completing the three-year project to externally refurbish 118 houses at a cost of nearly £4.5 million.

In the forthcoming year we hope to advance another project on Marion Road to create further housing units.

These projects have been funded partly from housing reserves and partly by borrowings to be financed from housing reserves.

As a housing authority we continue to run without a central government deficiency payment on our general housing stock.

We also continue to maintain our stock at a high standard as noted above. We endeavour to ensure, where possible, maintenance or repair work is done in the most convenient, cost effective manner to keep the maintenance cost of our assets down over the medium term.

Projected results

For the current year the authority is projecting, based on the nine-month figures, a deficit of approximately £126,500. This compares to a budgeted deficit of £62,750.

The main reason for the additional deficit is that the board developed two further projects after the budget had been agreed. These were funded from rate-borne reserves.

These were the removal of the asbestos at Elm Tree House and the refurbishment of Hawthorn Villa, the authority’s main office.

The work at Elm Tree House has enabled us to find new tenants for the property who will move in shortly. The refurbishment of Hawthorn Villa has provided disabled access to the office, primarily to the finance counter and the boardroom, to which a lift has been installed. This will help us comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 2006.

The provision of this access to the building means the temporary boardroom at Willow House can be made available to be let out.

The budgeted cost of the two projects is over £143,000 and therefore, once they have been incorporated into the comparative figures, the authority’s deficit is below the budgeted level by approximately £80,000.

Conclusion

The board and authority remain committed to taking a realistic and prudent approach to their finances in these difficult and challenging times, whilst ensuring that we continue to provide value-for-money services to the residents of the district.

It is with this in mind and our commitment to continue to provide cost effective and quality services that we have agreed a rate for the District of Onchan of 307p for the financial year from April 1, 2015, to March 31, 2016.

The rate comprises of 249p for our core operations and 58p for central government imposed charges.

This is an increase of 17p (5.86 per cent) on the current year’s rates, which is an increase of £26.45 per annum for the average household or 51p per week.

As I previously mentioned, the budgeted net rate-borne expenditure of authority for its core services has reduced very slightly. Therefore this has in itself not increased the level of rates we need to charge.

The required increase has come due to two reasons.

Firstly, the effect of the increased charges coming from central government in the form of the increased waste disposal charges or the cost of the additional transferred services have led directly to an increase in our expenditure by the equivalent of a 14p rate increase.

Secondly, the authority has over the last few years budgeted to run its ongoing services by taking an element of the required expenditure from its brought forward reserves.

For 2014-15 the budgeted level of ongoing expenditure to be funded from reserves was equivalent to a 9p increase in rates.

This is not a situation which can continue in the medium term as we must ensure that the authority continues on a sound financial basis.

If not, we will eventually lose the required buffer of reserves needed to assist the authority prior to the majority of the rate income being received or deal with emergencies.

We have therefore agreed to reduce the budget deficit on the authority’s ongoing net expenditure over a number of years.

This has contributed to the remaining 3p increase on the rate this year.

The rate of 307p produces a budget with a deficit of £28,432 which will be taken from projected rate-borne reserves brought forward as at March 31, 2015, of £685,658.

David Knight finished third and second in the opening two races at the third round of the SuperEnduro World Championship in Finland on Saturday.

But a poor result in the last denied him another overall podium finish.

Danny McCanney had a sixth, 11th and seventh for seventh overall in the Prestige class.

More details in the Manx Independent.

Father and daughter Nigel and Jade Cannell won Saturday’s Chris Kelly Memorial Rally in their Mitsubishi Evolution.

The Manx Auto Sport event formed round one of the 2015 Eurocars Manx Rally Championship. The Cannells won the eight-stage rally by a margin of 77 seconds from the visiting crew of John Cope and Clive Molyneux in the WRC Subaru Impreza.

They in turn were well clear of another UK pairing of Andy Bird and Plug Pulleyn in the potent Chevette. The local crews of Kex Walker/Dannii Matthews and Dean Quayle/Barrie Ford were close together in fourth and fifth.

Full report in the Manx Independent

The trial of a man charged with the murder of a 60-year-old has been adjourned until March.

Ian Anderson is accused of killing Neil Roberts, from Ballabeg, at a house on Queen Street, Castletown, on December 1, 2013.

The 46-year-old, who is from Castletown, pleaded not guilty.

Deemster Alistair Montgomerie has now postponed the trial until March 2 and further remanded Anderson in custody.

Northern Ireland’s Gareth Keys is to make his TT debut this June.

The 24-year-old from Lisburn will contest the Supersport and Lightweight races for the B&W Racing team, riding Honda and Kawasaki machinery respectively.

The nephew of former TT regular Trevor Keys, Gareth has enjoyed a considerable rise through the road racing ranks in the last two seasons. Highlights include strong results at the Ulster GP, where he won the 250cc category on his debut in 2013, the North West 200 and Oliver’s Mount, where he took a race victory last year.

‘I’m really excited about racing in the TT,’ said Gareth. ‘It’s the culmination of a long-held dream and I’m putting everything into making sure I’m as well prepared as I can possibly be, watching onboard laps constantly, playing the Playstation game and making trips across to the island to increase my circuit knowledge.’

Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK will seek support in the House of Keys today for a move to decriminalise assisted suicide.

He will ask MHKs for leave to introduce a private member’s bill to ‘amend the law with respect to assisted dying and for connected purposes’.

The move follows a petition for redress of grievance presented on Tynwald Day last year by Millie Blenkinsop-French.

Mrs Blenkinsop-French wants to see legislation similar to that proposed in the UK, where Lord Falconer’s Assisted Dying Bill is set for its second reading in the House of Lords in July.

This would allow doctors to help a patient to end their life provided certain strict criteria are met - the patient must be assessed independently by two doctors, they must be of sound mind and have expressed a clear intention to end their life, they must be suffering a terminal illness and their expected survival must be less than six months.

Mrs Blenkinsop-French, 71, says she has had two minor strokes and fears they could lead to a bigger one.

She previously told iomtoday: ‘If I were left in a vegetative state and with no quality of life, why would I want to stay alive? Especially if I were suffering excruciating pain. It seems cruel.

‘You would not do that to an animal, so why a human being? If there is nothing more to be done, you want to go as quickly as possible.

‘I remember my mother dying from cancer and suffering excruciating pain and I’m sure if she were here today she would be supporting me in this.’

Critics of such a change in the law, including Bishop Robert Paterson, say that to legalise assisted suicide undermines the fundamental value of human life.

The last attempt to legalise euthanasia here was in 2003 when Rushen MHK John Rimington was granted leave to introduce a private member’s bill. A select committee investigation followed. Its report received by the Keys in February 2006 contained no recommendations. No Bill was subsequently introduced.

The Junior Chamber of Commerce’s annual Treasury Minister’s Budget Breakfast will now take place at the Palace Hotel, part of the Sefton Group, in Douglas.

The popular annual event had been due to take place as usual at the Mount Murray Hotel and Country Club.

JCC chairman Kate Parrish told Business News that the new venue had been organised within 90 minutes of the shock news of the Mount Murray’s impending closure being announced.

Kate told Business News: ‘The Budget Breakfast is always one of our most well attended events of the year. This year we are expecting around 140 people to attend.

‘The news of the Mount Murray closing next Friday, with the loss of 30 jobs, was very sad news.

‘Members of the JCC Committee set about finding a new venue and the people at the Palace were absolutely brilliant and could not have been more helpful.’

The breakfast event, where Eddie Teare MHK, the treasury minister, addresses a predominantly business audience of the island’s movers and shakers, will take place on Wednesday, February 18, the day after he announces his Budget in Tynwald.

Kate Parrish said: ‘We are all aware that the Budget is the Isle of Man Government’s most important economic policy tool that translates Government policies, commitments and goals into decisions on how much revenue to raise, how to raise it and how to use these funds to meet the competing needs of the island.

‘We are very grateful to Mr Teare for taking the time out of his busy schedule to present the budget to our members and guests.

‘I’m sure that everyone attending will enjoy listening to the presentation and benefit from attending. Our thanks also go to Barclays who are kindly sponsoring this event.

‘If anyone would like further information in respect to this presentation, visit our website: www.jcc.im or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook or follow us on Twitter @JCCIOM.’

The Positive Action Group is urging David Cretney to think again about standing for Legislative Council.

Mr Cretney, who’s currently an MHK for Douglas South, last week announced he wanted to be considered for election to the upper house.

Members of the Legislative Council are elected by MHKs and are not subject to a popular vote.

Four members of LegCo retire at the end of February. They are Phil Braidwood, Dudley Butt, Alan Crowe and Alex Downie.

None of them has declared whether they intend to stand for election to serve for another five years.

The PAG says: ‘Since resigning as a minister, nearly a year ago, Mr Cretney has taken on his role as a backbencher with refreshing enthusiasm. This was evident over his persistence in uncovering the background to the perceived conflict of interest in children and family services procurement.

‘With the next general election in September 2016 we urge Mr Cretney to remain as the only Labour Party representative in Keys and honour his 2011 manifesto to be an MHK for the next five years.

The PAG says that if Mr Cretney becomes an MLC a vacancy will be created in Keys, incurring the expense of a by-election.

This happened in 2013 when Douglas West MHK Geoff Corkish was elected to LegCo.

It is not evident whether any other MHKs intend this year to offer themselves for election to the Legislative Council.

PAG said it urges them, including Mr Cretney, not to.

It statement reads: ‘Rather, in the coming months, support Peter Karran’s draft Bill to make new provision for the constitution of the Legislative Council: to require Members of the Legislative Council to be subject to popular election on an all-island basis.’

The group stages of June’s ConIFA European Football Cup will now take place in London not the Isle of Man as planned because of issues bringing the tournaments competitors and supporters to the island.

The 12-team tournament was due to be hosted at the Bowl between June 14 and June 21 but now only the latter stages of the competition will take place in Douglas after organisers ran into logistical problems. These were born out of a shortage of passenger space on ferries to the island at the end of TT week.

A statement posted on the Confederation of Independent Football Association’s official website revealed: ‘ Due to the unexpected high number of travelling fans wishing to support their teams, ConIFA has had to restructure the European Football Cup.

‘This is due to logistical issues regarding availability of hotel accommodation in the Isle of Man and available space on the ferry at the beginning of the Tournament week.

‘The European Football Cup will therefore take place in London at two stadia venues from Sunday, June 14 to Thursday, June 18 (Group and pre-placement matches).

‘All placement matches and the final will be held in the Isle of Man on Saturday and Sunday June 20-21.

‘ConIFA believe that this decision is in the best interests of its members and supporters, and also will still see the Isle of Man as hosts of all the final matches and of course where the champion will be crowned.’

The Manx International Football Alliance’s Ellan Vannin side will find out their group opponents for the tournament later this month when the draw takes place.

Motorists caught using a hand-held mobile phone while driving face a fine of up to £2,500 and four penalty points on their licence.

The Department of Infrastructure’s road safety team has launched a campaign to highlight the consequences of breaking the law.

Billboards will be displayed on a temporary basis at various key locations around the island, supported by radio messages.

The posters warn that using a hand-held mobile while driving is not only illegal, it also puts passengers and other road users at serious risk, particularly during times of peak traffic such as school runs and the morning and late afternoon/early evening commute.

The aim of the campaign is to improve safety and reduce the number of collisions on Manx roads.

Research shows that being distracted by a call or text makes drivers four times more likely to crash. Reaction times are slower and a split-second lapse in concentration can cause even the most careful drivers to lose control.

People can choose to install a decent quality hands-free kit in their vehicle for about £40 to avoid falling foul of the law.

John Houghton MHK, the politician at the Department of Infrastructure with responsibility for roads, said: ‘We are living in an age when being constantly connected is the norm. More and more people have mobile phones and smartphones, which they find difficult to switch off, even for a minute. Talking, texting or emailing on a hand-held mobile diverts attention from the road and puts other people in danger. Many people who wouldn’t dream of drink-driving are using their mobile when behind the wheel, oblivious to the fact that the consequences can be just as serious.’

He added: ‘The aim of this road safety campaign is to reduce collisions and raise awareness of the potential outcomes of being caught. A maximum fine of £2,500 and four penalty points shows how seriously the offence is viewed. The billboards will appear at a number of different locations for a day or two at a time to reach the widest possible audience. Our message is “if you see the sign, think of the fine”.’

Gordon Edwards, road safety manager, said: ‘Using a mobile phone is incredibly dangerous when driving, but I’d also ask drivers to think about where they stop when they take a call.

‘We’ve seen examples of vehicles stopping around blind bends, on pedestrian crossings and mostly double parking, causing congestion. We simply ask drivers to show more consideration and common sense.’

The campaign posters are available to download from the road safety website at {http://www.gov.im/categories/travel-traffic-and-motoring/road-safety/|this site}

iomtoday.co.im has asked for details on how many people have actually been fined for the offence.

The Blackford’s Pre-TT Classic road races are likely to be held over the Billown Course on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the start of this year’s TT festival.

This is a change from the usual Friday, Saturday and Monday as June 1, 2015 is not a Bank Holiday.

Traditionally, practice for the event begins on the Friday and continues on the Saturday afternoon.

Apart from the Singles race, the bulk of the events normally take place on the Bank Holiday Monday.

This year’s dates for the Pre-TT Classic look almost certain to be Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 29, 30 and 31.

Southern 100 Racing has applied for the appropriate road closing order for the Sunday afternoon to the Department of Infrastructure for a Road Races Act (Temporary Modification) Bill to be approved to allow the races to be held on the Sunday.

The bill has now passed both the House of Keys and the Legislative Council, and has now been sent for Royal assent.

The proposed schedule for the 2015 Blackford Financial Services Pre-TT Classic Road Races on the Billown Course is as follows: Friday, May 29 - Practice, roads close 6.05pm to 9.25pm; Saturday, May 30 - Practice 12.15pm to 4.15pm; Sunday, May 31 - Racing 1pm to 8pm.

The programme is conditional upon the Road Races (Temporary Modification) Bill 2015 receiving Royal assent.

Former island fire chief John Hinnigan has died.

Mr Hinnigan, aged 83, of Braddan, died in Tenerife last week having suffered a heart attack in Lanzarote – where he had a holiday home with his wife Joan – shortly after Christmas.

He was the island’s fire chief for 19 years and was well respected and liked.

He came to the island from his home town of Blackburn where he had been deputy chief fire officer.

He took on the role at a key time in the service’s history, shortly after the fatal Summerland fire in August 1973.

Mr Hinnigan was in charge during the reorganisation when it was given a headquarters in Peel Road, Douglas. One of his young fire officers in the 1970s was current fire chief Kevin Groom.

Mr Hinnigan had been married for 59 years. He leaves three children, Anne, Deborah and John, and eight grandchildren.

The funeral will be in Blackburn but it is likely a memorial service will take place in the island.

A vandal has struck at Castletown police station.

At 9.30pm last night (Monday), a pane of glass was smashed in one of the front windows of the building.

A police spokesman said: ‘The window will get fixed soon but due to its age it can never really go back to how it was originally. A piece of history has now unfortunately been lost by the unnecessary actions of another.

‘We believe that this is one of the oldest windows in the building, some have had to be replaced in the past due to their deterioration over time from the elements.’

The building was designed by Baillie Scott and built in 1901 to replace the original police station, which stood by the Castle Gate.

Constable Anne Tyler would like to speak with anyone with information about the damage. She can be contacted on 822222.

MHKs have rejected a bid to change the law on assisted death.

Rushen MHK and Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson had sought leave in the House of Keys to introduce a private member’s bill, saying those who are terminally ill should have a choice over how they die - subject to effective safeguards preventing pressure or abuse.

Mr Watterson said it was with a great deal of trepidation that he speak on the subject as there could be no more sensitive an issue.

He cited the recent case of Cathy Pridham who committed suicide after being diagnosed with a terminal condition and her body has never been found.

‘This is all about personal choice for the individual, which is currently denied by the state. Is it fair to put those who wish to die through not just the physical pain at the end of their life, but knowing the risk they place their loved ones in if they help?’ he said.

Mr Watterson stressed that the Bill would not legalise voluntary euthanasia where a doctor directly administers life-ending medication - rather it provides that the final act in an assisted death must be taken by a patient of sound mind at the time of the request and at the time of their death.

Lib Van leader Kate Beecroft (Douglas South) said she could not supporting giving leave to introduce the Bill. She pointed out that medical professionals considered it ‘unnecessary and dangerous’.

She said there had been continual improvements in palliative care and patients already had the option to refuse medical intervention.

MHKs rejected giving leave to introduce the Bill by 17 votes to five.

The Meteorological Office based at Ronaldsway has issued its weather summary for the month of January.

A statement said: ‘The changeable, unsettled winter pattern continued into January, with plenty of wind, and weather alternating between mild air from the south west followed by colder air from the north west.

‘The highest temperature recorded was 13.5 degrees, on January 9. This equals the January temperature record set in 1998. There was just one air frost, with a minimum of -0.7 degrees on the morning of January 19. The coldest day was the 21st, when the mercury only reached 4.2 degrees.

‘Rainfall was 28 per cent below the long term average with only 60mm in the gauge at Ronaldsway. The wettest day was January 14 with 12.7mm.

‘The wind was a significant feature of the month. Gales were recorded on eight days, the strongest on the 15th, when gusts reached 72mph at the airport.

‘It was a relatively sunny month, with 73 hours compared to the long term average of 54 hours. The best day was the 31st with 5.9 hours.’

The report said that hail or sleet/snow was observed on six days at the airport.

Independent financial adviser, Edgewater Associates, has announced the appointment of Jo Dugdale to the position of financial consultant.

A graduate of Financial Services from Manchester Metropolitan University, Jo has enjoyed 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry in sectors ranging from private banking to corporate lending and corporate services provision.

Her appointment will see Jo work to expand upon Edgewater’s already extensive client services portfolio and deliver consistent independent advice in line with the company’s strategy for growth.

Jo also has 10 years’ experience in financial advisory in particular, both in the Isle of Man and in the UK, and looks forward to bringing her expertise to a broader client base.

An enthusiastic and committed professional, she holds a Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning with the Chartered Insurance Institute and maintains a focus upon greater opportunity for additional personal development.

In her new role as financial consultant, Jo will join Edgewater’s existing team of advisers in working to provide the best possible advice for local and international clients in such service areas as wealth management, retirement planning, commercial and general insurance, business protection and mortgages.

Managing Director Sandra Cardwell said: ‘Ours is a complex and constantly changing industry which demands close attention to and an acute understanding of client needs, so the opportunity to appoint someone with Jo’s talent and experience is very welcome.

‘She has an outstanding professional reputation coupled with an approach to client connections which makes her the perfect addition to Edgewater Associates’ expanding team.

‘On behalf of everyone here I would like to congratulate Jo and welcome her to Edgewater as we embark upon another challenging year whilst seeking further growth and success for the company.’

Jo said: ‘Having accumulated a considerable amount of experience in the financial services and advisory sector, I am looking forward to growing my expertise through a broader client base.

‘Edgewater has an excellent reputation within the industry and I am here to help grow this further. This can only be achieved with consistency and attention to detail, meaning I will need to quickly become familiar with the company’s product range and particular way of doing things. This, however, is all part of the challenge and prospect of a new role, which I’m sure I’ll enjoy.

‘I would like to thank the Edgewater team for their warm welcome.’

Edgewater Associates is a locally based, independent financial adviser offering both corporate and personal advice.

The government has responded to criticism from the Federation of Manx Historic Vehicle Club over increases in car tax.

Federation chairman Geof Staples last week hit out at the Vehicle Duty Order 2014, supported by Tynwald, which will increase revenue by 10 per cent on cars and 4 per cent on motorcycles.

A Department of Infrastructure spokesman responded, saying: ‘We first proposed the increase in October 2014 as part of a package of measures aimed at meeting our challenging budget target.

‘The order is aimed at securing additional funding to maintain roads, rectifying existing disparities between fees based on engine capacity and those based on carbon emissions, and encouraging people to buy more efficient fuels.

‘It should be noted that duty for private vehicles registered prior to 1 January 1987 remains unchanged at £15.

‘There is also a substantial concession for private vehicles first registered after January 1, 1987, which then become 25 years old (on a rolling basis). For example, a vehicle first registered in 1990 will become 25 years old this year and will be eligible for a 50 per cent discount on the vehicle duty rate. So a five-litre car first registered in 1990 will this year pay half the full duty, which is £246.

‘It is estimated that government’s income from fuel duty has fallen by more than £1 million over the past four years.’

Bruce Norton Turkeys

v Giants

Turkeys arrived for their match at the NSC on Thursday evening a little light on players as they faced a youthful Giants squad with plenty of fresh legs lining the bench.

Turkeys showcased flair with some great moves and passing, topped off with some shared three-point shooting from Dave Boyle, Dominic Gribben and Paul Ellison which helped give them the advantage in the first quarter 22-6.

This rubbed off on the Giants as they stepped up their game opening the second quarter with two three-pointers from Jakob Glover and Vladimir Tsagov and this settled their play with Mar Dato controlling the offensive ball.

Halftime saw Turkeys maintain a lead of 35-16 and Gribben again hit a three-point shot to start the third.

With no substitutes to give them an injection of pace, Turkeys had to play a patient game using their experience to score good baskets.

Dato kept his Giants team alive and was instrumental in both scoring and organising the play linking well with Glover.

However, experience shone over youth in this tie as Turkeys took a convincing win 64-44. Player of the Match - Mar Dato (Giants).

Microgaming Cavaliers

v Rams

Cavs had a point to prove following the previous week’s uncharacteristic defeat and started this match in determined fashion, with Sean Doyle and Daniel Pieciak helping to open up a 16-5 lead.

The spectator could be forgiven for thinking this match would be settled early doors, but Rams had other ideas and found their mojo in the second with Mark Directo having his own way and scoring valuable points. Rams were back in this game and had Cavs on the back foot but the latter remained just ahead 28-22.

The second half continued in the same vein with Cavs just edging ahead but another upset looked likely as Rams’ Joel Garmino kept them in touch and at the end of the third it was all to play for, 40-37 Cavs.

Doyle proved to be the difference in the final quarter scoring 12 points to gain the advantage in the final minutes and, although Rams fought to the last, Cavs took the win with a sigh of relief 60-47.

PotM - Sean Doyle (Cavs)

Elder Health Care Phillies v Celton Warriors

It was a battle of the three-point shooters as Phillies’ Revi Del Rosario took on Warriors’ Chris Wolfendale with both teams heading into the match on the back of good wins.

Warriors were first out of the blocks taking an early lead but, as shown a week earlier, Phillies can’t be written off.

Warriors’ Harry Brindle started in confident mood opening the account with assistance from David Dallimore and Corey Pinder, as their consistent approach proved to be the winning formula as they took a 21-17 first quarter lead.

Phillies stepped up in the second, with some strong defensive play making it difficult for Warriors to score while converting fast breaks of their own through Miguel Carrillo.

Halftime was perfectly poised at 34-34 making for an exciting second half and it didn’t disappoint. Points were dropped by both teams from the free-throw line and proved to be costly in the latter stages.

Phillies’ Ivan Del Rosario had a strong third quarter as did Wolfendale and there was only narrow daylight between the sides going into the fourth.

Free-throws were a key factor for Phillies and missing several was their weakness, but in the final minutes they pulled it out of the bag taking the win 62-61. PotM - Harry Brindle (Warriors).

PokerStars v IOM College

The College looked sharp as they encountered a PokerStars side sporting a new kit.

Isle of Man College’s game has improved with every week and they were keen to make it and produce their first win. Rio Garcia opened with a three-point shot setting the tone and showing they meant business, limiting PokerStars to just five points to their 12 at the end of the first period.

PokerStars opened the second quarter with Michael Josem finding his range, supported by the reliability of Dylan Coady at the top of the key. They were back in the game, but College’s Mel Valencia kept his team five points clear going into halftime 22-17.

Christian Lima hit his free-throws opening the third for the College with Coady replying at the other end, keeping the College on their toes.

Coady linked well with Sean McCurry which gave PokerStars the lift they needed to take the lead 40-34.

By the fourth quarter, PokerStars had taken firm control of the game but credit to the College who had them worried at times with a much improved performance.

PokerStars take the win 50-38. PotM - Dylan Coady (PokerStars).

Mixed League summary

The mixed league finished off the night and was played with great spirit from all teams.

Legendary CavStars took on FBW in the first game which was played at pace from both sides, with the CavStars taking a 22-14 win with points from Conor Doyle (CavStars) on his debut.

No F in Dribble took on the Toonsquad on the other court which was a tighter game, with No F in Dribble taking an 18-12 victory. The closest match was between the CavStars and No F in Dribble which was all tied at 12-apiece. Can’t Dribble Won’t Dribble played some great games taking a win over FBW 14-10 and narrowly missing out when they took on No F in Dribble, losing by just two points 12-14.

Some exotic moves to the basket made for an entertaining finish to the fixtures!

The Isle of Man Darts Organisation will be holding its next qualifier event of the season this Saturday, February 7.

The event takes place at the Falcon’s Nest, Port Erin commencing at 7-30pm.

New players in both the men’s and women’s competitions will be made most welcome.

Membership for the season is only £5 which can be obtained on the night and the entry fee for each qualifier is £6.

Overnight accommodation is available - for details contact the Falcon’s Nest on 834077.