Barclays Digital Eagles will be on hand at this year’s Royal Manx Agricultural Show to share their technology expertise.

The Digital Eagles are a fully-trained group of Barclays employees on a mission to boost digital confidence and they will be running a range of digital-themed activities that visitors can get involved with during the two day show.

The activities will include Code Playground, a Barclays scheme to help young islanders learn the basics of computer coding, creating websites, apps and games, and tailored Tea and Teach sessions for people of all ages covering various digital skills such as online banking, using Skype, shopping online, iPad tutorials and using smart phones.

Visitors will also have the chance to play FIFA and other games on Kinect for Xbox One which allows players to command with voice and gestures and play games where they are the controller.

Information on Barclays popular LifeSkills initiative which helps young people make the transition from education to employment will be available too.

The free programme has already helped a number of local school children to develop the skills employers seek in new recruits, giving them access to advice, support and opportunities to build their confidence.

The Barclays Premier League trophy will also make an appearance in the Barclays tent on Friday to celebrate the start of the new season and visitors will have the opportunity to have their photo taken with it.

Head of local markets at Barclays, Colette Johnston, said: ‘At Barclays, we believe we have a responsibility to share our technological expertise with the wider community and are committed to ensuring that all members of our community are confident in the digital sphere, whatever their age.

‘The Royal Manx Agricultural Show is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the range of digital support Barclays can offer islanders from Code Playground sessions to help children and their parents learn coding to our Tea & Teach sessions which are designed to help with the basics of getting online.

‘All the sessions will be interactive and there will be something for all the family to have a go at.’

The Royal Manx Agricultural Show is taking place at Knockaloe Farm on Friday and Saturday this week.

A 66-year-old man from Douglas has been jailed for eight weeks after scaring a teenager with a two-foot long snake.

Andrew John Fielding, of Hutchinson Square, was arrested after approaching the 18-year-old woman at 1.45am on June 21 in the Villa Marina Gardens in Douglas with the snake.

Fielding asked the woman: ‘If I show you something do you promise not to scream?’

He told the court that the snake had crawled up his sleeve before he went out and he had not noticed because he was drunk.

Just two weeks’ earlier, on June 8, Fielding had been fined £600 in court for pressing the snake against a woman’s car window near to his house.

While passing sentence this morning (Tuesday), Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told Fielding: ‘This is extremely serious, the woman must have been extremely frightened faced by a drunk man making that comment in the early hours.

‘The probation report says you do not seem to appreciate the impact your offending has on your victims. You need to think about your relationship with your snake and with alcohol.’

Read the full story in this week’s Manx Independent - in shops from Thursday morning.

Children are being urged to go to Onchan Library for ‘The Never Stop Reading Challenge’.

It’s free to take part, with special stickers, pencils, key rings and book bags to collect along the way.

The challenge has been designed for The Harvey Briggs Onchan Library with original artwork by library assistant and illustrator Quinn Shipton.

It combines the magic of reading with Peter Pan-themed activities, including a Lost Boys Hunt, and Pirate Ship Colouring and ‘Neverland in a Box’ Diorama Competitions.

Andrew Jones and Wendy Ranft-Gerber from Old Mutual International launched the challenge with children from Onchan School.

This is the ninth year that the investment business is supporting this reading initiative.

Andrew Jones, manager, Old Mutual International said: ‘Based in Onchan, investing in the local community is extremely important to us and we are delighted to reflect our continued success by supporting this great initiative once again. With a great theme for the children to take part in, I am sure that it will be another brilliant year.’

Children can join in at any time throughout the summer. They should call in to the library to find out more.

There’s another scheme at the Henry Bloom Library in Douglas.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/what-s-on/manx-entertainment-news/children-encouraged-to-get-reading-this-summer-1-7387852|Click here to read more}

There’s no such thing as the dog poo fairy.

That’s the message Port Erin Commissioners is publicising in a new campaign.

Posters showing a Tinkerbell-style fairy picking up the offending mess – urging owners to ‘bag that poo, any rubbish bin will do’ –are being put on bins throughout the village and on vehicles.

‘This campaign is all about keeping our streets, parks and open spaces free of dogs’ mess which makes them unsightly and unhygienic,’ said commissioners’ chairman Nick Watterson. ‘We know that most dog owners do clean up after their dogs but those few who don’t blight the area for everyone else.

‘This campaign aims to highlight it’s their responsibility to clean it up and leaving it for others is just not acceptable.

‘We need residents to help us keep Port Erin clean and encourage them to report any dog owners who are not playing by the rules.’

The authority pointed out there are more than 100 street litter and dog poo bins across Port Erin in parks, open grass and foreshore areas. The commissioners’ outdoor staff collect an astonishing amount – more than 300kg – of dogs’ mess weekly from bins.

A similar campaign ran in Port St Mary when Port Erin commissioners’ clerk Jason Roberts was clerk there.

Mr Roberts said it was ‘moderately successful’. He added: ‘It was good at raising awareness.’

To reinforce the message further, residents can download the poster from.porterin.gov.im where there is more information about the campaign.

Leading international trust and corporate services provider, Equiom, has announced the appointment of Peter Greenhill as head of eBusiness.

He joins Equiom from the Isle of Man Government’s Department of Economic Development where, for the past two years, he held the positions of chief executive officer of eGaming development and director of eBusiness, with responsibility for promoting the island as a leading eGaming centre.

Based at Equiom’s Isle of Man office, Mr Greenhill will take up his new role from October 2015, tasked with driving forward the Group’s eBusiness service offering, supported by an experienced, in-house team.

Equiom’s global chief executive Officer, Sheila Dean, said: ‘This is an exciting appointment for Equiom, which supports the group’s strategy to actively develop its eBusiness service line.

‘Peter is an expert in his field, having worked with some of the world’s leading businesses in the industry during his impressive career.

‘He has extensive eGaming experience and a strong track record in driving bottom-line sales. I look forward to welcoming him to Equiom’.

Prior to his position with the Isle of Man Government, Peter’s comprehensive CV involved strategic consultancy work, as well as a number of senior executive positions within leading eGaming and eBusiness companies around the world.

He said: ‘Equiom is a forward thinking, fast paced business with ambitious plans for its eBusiness service line.

‘I’m looking forward to joining the team to bring Equiom to the forefront of this competitive industry.’

The railway museum in Port Erin celebrates its 40th anniversary this month and this big birthday gives the chance to reflect on the huge impact trains have had on the island’s history.

‘When it was built it was social revolution,’ said Graham Warhurst, who was responsible for forming the original museum. ‘In 1874 (when the Douglas to Port Erin line opened, the line to Peel opened the year before) the only transport was horse, if you were rich, or you had to walk. Suddenly being able to go to Douglas in an hour was shattering.’

Museum volunteer Mike Buttell said: ‘Port Erin itself would not have existed had the railway not come down to the village.‘

When the museum opened, steam railway services ran only between Port Erin and Castletown, and the line was being operated by the Isle of Man Railway Company (IoMRC), with help from a grant paid by the government.

IoMRC asked Graham to form the museum, displaying some of the stock no longer in use.

In 1978 it passed into government hands. Graham said he was ‘instrumental in reopening the line from Port Erin to Douglas.’ He put a business plan to a Tynwald steering committee investigating the railway and they were persuaded it was a viable concern.

In addition to locomotives the museum has a large display of pictures showing the history of the steam railway system, tickets, advertising posters and leaflets and similar ephemera, plus signalling lamps and a model railway.

A loyal band of informed volunteers help to keep the history alive and give guided tours of the museum and share their love of trains. Mike said: ‘I have loved trains since I could walk. When I was little I used to watch the trains coming from Port Erin, it was quite a sight. Island trains are among the prettiest locomotives ever built.’

The prospect of there being a BMX track at Ballakilley draws closer with the news Southern Nomads are poised to submit a planning application for two pitches on the land.

The fields, owned by Rushen Commissioners, and land associated with the Heritage Homes Ballakilley development, is for recreational use.

An area for use by Southern Nomads has been earmarked for two rugby pitches and a club house.

Clerk Gill Kelly said: ‘ Nomads have investigated and costed two alternative entrances and this is what has been holding them up. Once the application is approved, Rushen Commissioners will know what room will be available on the field for the BMX track.’
She added RPC will hold meetings with the authorities in Port Erin and Port St Mary ‘to progress the BMX track’.

l Another area of land associated with Ballakilley near Rushen parish church can be used as an extension to the graveyard and car park after permission was granted to a plan (14/01075/B by RPC).

The island is once again the host to 11 visiting children from Belarus courtesy of the Friends of Chernobyl’s Children charity.

The latest group of children has been enjoying a range of activities from computing to gymnastics during their month-long stay in the Isle of Man.

As well as visits to play games at Glen Wyllin, a treasure hunt at Milntown, a visit to Mooragh Park in Ramsey, horseriding, Laserblast and a tour of the Gaiety Theatre, the children have been able to take advantage of health services not routinely provided at home, so visits to the dentist and optician were also on the itinerary.

Travel and sport have been popular themes for the stay, with visits to the National Sports Centre for swimming, the Albany Tennis club to play tennis, as well as trips on the horse trams and the pleasure boat Karina.

The children will enjoy a farewell party at the Manx Legion Club on Wednesday before going home.

Joan Rivers who, with her husband Norman, organises the visits, said visits to Milntown, the Hotrocks climbing wall and Ape Mann had been highlights this year: ‘They are having lots of fun, despite the weather being unpredictable.We try to give them a variety of activities, educational, physical and just plain fun,’ she said.

The charity has been running for the past 16 years bringing children aged seven to 12 for a holiday in the island. The children stay with volunteer host families on a bed and breakfast basis. More volunteer hosts are always welcome.

As many as 13 local authority members could be forced to stand down because their names are not on the electoral register.

One Douglas councillor, two Ramsey commissioners and one Port St Mary commissioner have so far had to quit.

But iomtoday has learned that two Peel commissioners, two in Santon and one each in Braddan, Michael, Marown, Lezayre and German are also missing from the voters’ list and could face the same sanction.

A spokesman for the Cabinet Office confirmed there are 13 local authority members around the island who are not on the electoral register.

Douglas councillor Jon Joughin and Ramsey commissioners George Quayle and Wilf Young have been joined by Port St Mary commissioner Rebecca Sinfield as casualties of changes to the voters’ list, which have meant householders have to register to be included rather than have their names automatically retained.

In each case, the local authority took legal advice which concluded that as their names weren’t on the electoral register they were no longer qualified to be a councillor and their seats had to be vacated. Allowing them to continue as unqualified members could leave them open to legal challenge, they argued.

By-elections have been called in the Ramsey North and South wards on September 9 and in Douglas Victoria ward on September 10. But as the next register is not published until October, the ousted members will not be eligible to stand.

At Peel Commissioners, clerk Derek Sewell confirmed: ‘There is an issue which will be discussed at the board meeting on Tuesday night.’

Braddan Commissioners’ clerk Colin Whiteway confirmed commissioner Colin Slinn was not on the voters’ list. The matter would be discussed at the next board meeting on August 20.

But he added that it had always been Mr Slinn’s intention to stand down at the end of this term and he could leave on September 30, six months before the local authority elections, without the need for a by-election to be called.

There are 158 elected representatives in local authorities around the island.

In Jurby, Ballaugh and Andreas all members are present and correct thanks to clerk John Quayle who checks the voters’ list each time a new one is published.

He said: ‘I just go through the list out of curiosity. It’s part of your duties as clerk.’

The Department of Infrastructure last week said that, based on the Attorney General’s advice, the legislation was open to interpretation.

Clerk to Port Erin Commissioners Jason Roberts said: ‘We check every list and every member is present and correct.’

Similar rules requiring candidates to be on the voters’ list do not apply to those standing in House of Keys elections.

Some 12,252 names were removed from the electoral register when new rules came in.

It is understand that information about the rule changes was sent to every local authority clerk before Christmas.

Anybody wishing to check whether their name is on the register can contact the electoral registration office of their local town hall.

Paul Cowin, assistant town clerk at Douglas Council, said: ‘Because of the timescales imposed by the Local Elections Act and Regulations made under it, we have to proceed to fill the vacancy quite quickly.

‘That means, sadly, that Mr Joughin, who will only become registered on October 31, won’t be eligible when nominations close on August 17.

Two men were seen attempting to get into unlocked vehicles in Willaston in the early hours of this morning.

They were spotted at about 2.30am by a resident in Keppel Road.

Constable Stuart McLean said residents should ensure they lock their vehicles and properties to prevent and deter opportunist thieves who may be roaming the streets late at night and ensure valuables were not left inside their motor vehicles.

He added: ‘I encourage any person to report any suspicious persons to the Isle of Man Constabulary on 631212, 999 (if it’s an emergency) or alternatively contact the anonymous Crimestoppers Line on 0800 555 111.

‘Similarly, I encourage anyone to contact me if they need crime prevention advice to deter and stop thieves.’

Dog owners have extended access to specified open spaces and stretches of Douglas beach after the town council’s revised dog control byelaws came into effect at the beginning of the month.

Provisions under the Douglas Dog Control Byelaws 2015 now allow dogs to be exercised at all times on the beach between the steps opposite the Queen’s Hotel to Derby Castle, provided they are not ‘at large’ and the faeces is removed.

Council bosses have remined owners, however, that between 10am and 5pm from May 1 to September 30 dogs are prohibited from the stretch of Douglas beach which extends from the Bottleneck car park to the steps opposite the Queen’s Hotel.

The updated byelaws also extend those areas of open spaces where dogs are permitted to be exercised provided they are kept on a lead and restricted to public footpaths at all times.

These include Douglas borough cemetery and Douglas lawn cemetery, Summerhill Glen, the Villa Marina gardens, Noble’s Park and Douglas golf course.

Environmental services committee chairman Councillor Ritchie McNicholl said: ‘The council has listened to requests from dog owners for greater freedom where they can legally exercise their dogs. These updated byelaws are a direct response to those appeals.

‘We are proud of the diversity and quality of our open spaces – indeed only recently the council was awarded five Green Flags for the high standards the parks section achieves – and we want those spaces to be enjoyed by everyone.

‘The dog-owning community is in the main, extremely responsible – although regrettably there will always be an antisocial minority who fail to pick up after their dogs –and I am confident all owners with a sense of civic pride will welcome and abide by the extended access these byelaws provide.’

To view the Douglas Dog Control Byelaws 2015 visit douglas.gov.im

A new dog friendly sticker has been launched for some businesses, such as restaurants. F

For details see this week’s Manx Independent, which is in the shops tomorrow.

Don’t hold your breath!

That’s the reaction of two disabled campaigners to news that the island could see the Disability Discrimination Act implemented at last next year - 10 years after it was given Royal Assent.

Tynwald this month unanimously voted for the 2006 Disability Discrimination Act to be implemented by early next year once the necessary regulations and guidance are approved by the court at the December sitting.

The Act demands minimum levels of disabled access to buildings and prevents discrimination against disabled people in the supply of goods and services.

Registered blind David McWilliams, of Ballasalla, said: ‘If they mean what they say then that’s good but I’m not holding my breath.

‘I had several meetings around the year 2000 with the various charities throughout the island about the Disability Discrimination Bill - we were then five years behind the UK. We were promised we would have the Act delivered - and we are still waiting for it. I don’t have much faith in government.’

Mr McWilliams said he was sceptical we would get the Equality Act, too, next year - and it would be ‘so watered down it will be worthless’.

He added: ‘There’s a serious problem in the island that disabled people don’t matter, unfortunately.’

Wheelchair user Paul Sullivan, who broke his back in a motorcycle accident in 1999, said from his home in Braddan: ‘As far as I’m concerned it’s decades overdue. From what I’ve heard it’s already watered down. It’s unrecognisable from the one in England or Europe. When I was travelling around France and Italy 35 years ago there were dropped kerbs everywhere. Yet the Isle of Man still to this day is arguing about it.’

Delays in implementing the Act had been caused by concerns over the costs of compliance and then by the decision that its provisions would be included in a new Equality Bill. A shortage of legislative drafters has led to the Equality Bill, too, being delayed.

Douglas West MHK Chris Thomas had called for the Act to be implemented immediately but Health and Social Care Minister Howard Quayle said secondary legislation and associated guidance was needed otherwise it would be difficult to enforce and lead to costly court action.

A woman who’s had a top role in Canada has been appointed as the boss of the new financial services regulator.

Karen Badgerow will take over as chief executive of the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority on November 1.

The new authority is the result of the merger of the Financial Supervision Commission and the Insurance and Pensions Authority.

John Aspden, the boss of the FSC, was the most highly-paid public sector worker. David Vick, who ran the IPA, was the second most highly-paid.

Mr Vick is retiring in September and Mr Aspden {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/business/head-of-fsc-to-stand-down-1-6854647|announced last year} that he was stepping down.

Ms Badgerow’s appointment follows the approval by Tynwald {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/business/merger-of-finance-sector-regulators-1-6944089|in March 2015 of the joint regulator}.

Ms Badgerow will move to the Isle of Man from Canada, where she has spent the last two years as senior vice president (insurance and risk assessment) at the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (‘CDIC’), a Federal Crown Corporation created by the Canadian Parliament with responsibility for insuring eligible deposits made at banks and other financial institutions.

She has more than 20 years’ experience in the regulation of deposit-taking, insurance and pensions business and prior to her role at the CDIC she held senior leadership positions at the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, Canada’s unified financial services regulator.

Geoff Karran and Peter Pell-Hiley, chairmen of the FSC and IPA, said, in a joint statement: ‘We are delighted to announce Karen Badgerow’s appointment as the first chief executive of the IOMFSA.

‘We believe that Karen brings an excellent blend of regulatory experience in the areas of responsibility of the new combined body and also brings significant leadership experience that will be vital in managing the merger of the two existing regulators.

‘This will enable her to lead the IOMFSA in its work to continue to enhance the Isle of Man’s reputation as a well regulated financial services centre, thereby supporting the Island’s economy and its development as an international business centre.’

Ms Badgerow said: ‘I am excited to be offered this opportunity to come to the Isle of Man at this time and to work with highly qualified teams in the FSC and the IPA in moulding this new Authority. I also look forward to working with the Financial Services Industries and Government Departments to continue the development of the Island as a well regulated International Finance Centre.’

A motorist was injured in an accident in Jurby this morning.

It happened at about 10.45am and involved two large vans near the Garey Road, Jurby.

Emergency services say the condition of the driver is unknown.

The man behind Leela’s Kitchen is aiming to spice up people’s lives with a new range of cookery ingredients just in time for the Royal Manx Agricultural Show.

Kumar Menon, 37, gives people across the island an opportunity to experience the exotic tastes of Indian tastes of Indian cuisine in their own home.

Now Kumar is preparing to launch a half dozen spices which he reckons will appeal to the island’s taste buds.

Kumar who lives in Douglas, named Leela’s Kitchen after his late grandmother and his daughter, both called Leela.

He told Business News Leela’s Kitchen is not just a business but also a hobby.

He said: ‘I am very excited to announce that Leela’s Kitchen is launching a range of six new spices which I will be showcasing at the Royal Manx Show on Friday and Saturday.’

The spices being unveiled in containers that have the Three Legs of Mann are:

l Coriander powder

l Tumeric powder

l Chilli powder (that should be hot!)

l Garam Masala

l Black peppercorns

l Black mustard seeds.

Kumar gave Business News an insight into his thinking about the business.

‘I have been working on this for a year and a half to two years. I haven’t got a bank loan and I work full time as a machine operator at Swagelock in Tromode.

‘If it works then all well and good but if it doesn’t I won’t owe anybody any money. You have to look at the positive and negative.’

Kumar is originally from Kerala in Southern India ‘otherwise known as God’s own Country.’

He first came to the Isle of Man in 2003 to attend the international catering school at Port Erin.

He has had a number of jobs including being a chef and more recently has been based at Swagelok which he says is an excellent place to work.

Kumar acknowledges the range of spices is a big step for Leela’s Kitchen but he says: ‘It started as a hobby and is still a hobby.

‘I’ve got things planned for next year but let’s see how we do with the new range of spices.’

He has cooked meals for people from all walks of life and admitted that having cooked at an Indian wedding in the island reminded him of his roots.

He spoke to Business News having recently taken Leela on a holiday to remember in Southern India.

They met members of Kumar’s family and paid a trip to the base of the India Pepper and Spice Trade Association where his late grandfather R. B. Menon traded spices in the 1950s. His father Venu B. Menon later took over trading in the 1970s.

‘It was Leela’s first visit there and I’m so proud of her because she dived into the culture, it was really good.’

Among the highlights for Leela was going to see an Indian film with Kumar’s mother Kumari Menon.

Kumar’s services have also been on offer at the Vivaldi Catering based in Bride.

Kumar is the partner of Michele Gogan, who has been featured previously by Business News, for her work running the Cambridge Diet plan in the island.

A Peel couple are holding their annual coffee morning for the Friends of Robert Owen House on Friday, August 7, from 10am until 12 noon.

Adrienne and John Teare hold the event every year but this time there will be a change of venue with the coffee morning moving to the Masonic Hall in Stanley Road in Peel.

There will the usual stalls, cakes, bric-a-brac, books, raffle and auction.

This is the tenth year that they have run the coffee morning, which was previously run by Phyllis Watterson, and each year it has been very successful.

If anyone would like to donate anything either for the stalls ,raffle or auction it would be very much appreciated.

The Robert Owen House is situated in the grounds of the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital (previously known as Broad Green Hospital) and accommodates relatives and friends of patients in the hospital.

Approximately 50 per cent of the people who stay there are from the Isle of Man.

John said: ‘I know what a wonderful facility it is, having stayed there when Adrienne had a heart by-pass operation, so that is why we continue to support it.

‘Please come along and give us your support.’

Adrienne and John can be contacted on 842682 or 496088, or via e-mail teare-fulmar@manx.net

The rear window of a car was smashed earlier this week.

The silver Renault Scenic was parked at the rear of Stenning Place, Castletown.

Police believe it was an act of vandalism.

Officers say it happened some time between Monday and Wednesday.

The loss 100 years ago of a Ramsey resident and of a vessel with strong links to the town will be marked on Saturday at the war memorial in the Courthouse Gardens in a short ceremony starting at 10.55am arranged by Ramsey Commissioners.

On Saturday, August 8, 1915 engine room hand William Lord, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Lord of 7 Mona Street, Ramsey, died aged 25, one of 21 Manxmen out of 55 seamen killed when the first HMS Ramsey was sunk while on patrol out of Scapa Flow.

As a mark of respect to those from the community of Ramsey who gave their lives during the First World War the Commissioners have pledged to place a simple wooden cross for each individual on the 100th anniversary of their loss.

One such cross will be placed in memory of William Lord at the war memorial and a wreath laid by the Ramsey branch of the Royal Naval Association to commemorate the loss of the former Steam Packet ship The Ramsey during the ceremony, which will include a two-minutes’ silence.

Ramsey Commissioners’ chairman Richard Radcliffe said: ‘Ramsey is proud to enjoy an affiliation with the current HMS Ramsey, on which the Freedom of Entry was conferred in 2010.

‘This Saturday we shall be commemorating not only the loss of the ship that bears our town’s name and 55 of her crew but also of one of our own, William Lord, who gave his life serving for his homeland and our freedom 100 years ago. We would therefore welcome any relative of William Lord to come forward who may wish to join with us in reflection and place the cross in his memory.’

The ‘first’ Ramsey

The Ramsey was built for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company by Barrow Shipbuilders and sailed on the Fleetwood and Belfast route as the Duke of Lancaster.

In 1912 she was bought by the Steam Packet and named The Ramsey.

After completing the 1914 season on the Liverpool to Douglas route, she was taken over by the British government and fitted out by Cammell, Laird and Company as an armed boarding vessel.

The current HMS Ramsey

Based on the Clyde HMS Ramsey is one of seven Royal Navy Sandown-class minehunters. She was launched in November 1999 and commissioned into the fleet in September 2000. In 2014 she took part in the 70th anniversary commemorations of the invasion of southern France shortly after spending three years in the Gulf.

A public meeting about proposed flood defence on Brewery beach, known popularly as Gansey beach, will take place in September.

Defence measures suggested by environmental company JBA Consultants include heaping rock armour on the beach, which led to scores of objections when an illustration of what it would look like was posted on Port St Mary Commissioners’ website .
Two thirds of the beach lies in Rushen parish, commissioners’ clerk Gill Kelly said: ‘The Department of Infrastructure offered to give a presentation on Bay ny Carrickey (not Gansey as stated in the consultation documents) to the commissioners but, instead, Rushen Commissioners have offered to organise a public meeting for them to give their presentation to a wider audience than just the commissioners, who feel that everyone should have the opportunity to listen and to freely give their views. The DoI has said that there will be many differing opinions as to what should or should not be done and why.’
The public is being listened to said the DoI. ‘Representatives from the department and JBA have conducted two rounds of community meetings around the island and held discussions with a number of local authorities.
‘Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne has also made it abundantly clear from the outset that local people will have a big say in what – if anything – goes ahead in terms of construction work to address climate change.’
Mr Gawne said: ‘Local communities are being invited to play a leading role in the decision-making process. Our current thinking is to improve the protection of vulnerable locations and try to reduce the economic and social impact of flooding, but first we want to hear the views of people living in those areas. Communities may decide they are prepared to deal with the effects of extreme weather events once every few years, rather than see their harbour walls raised or rock armour introduced into their bays.’
Feedback can be given to the department via local authorities.
More details about the public meeting, in Ballafesson hall, will be released shortly.

After nearly 10 years under the umbrella of the IOMA Group, Philip Scales and Russell Collister are leading a buy-out of IOMA Fund and Investment Management Limited.

The business, which will be renamed FIM Capital Limited, will continue to work from the company’s existing headquarters in Douglas and other than a re-branding, there will be no changes to either the staff or underlying business.

FIM Capital will administer and manage assets for a range of private and institutional businesses worldwide.

The transaction is subject to final approval from the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK.

Prior to joining the IOMA Group, Philip, who has been involved in third party fund administration for 35 years, previously spent a number of years working for Barings on the Isle of Man, primarily in the field of third party administration.

He considers that the Isle of Man continues to offer a well regulated and cost effective jurisdiction, particularly for closed ended schemes (listed and unlisted).  FIM Capital now administers funds based in a variety of jurisdictions.

Russell has an unbroken 30 year track record in the investment management industry and, along with Philip, heads up a team of nearly 30 industry professionals.

A spokesman said that while the business, especially on the investment management side, is increasingly technology driven, the personal nature of managing money and assets means that longevity and experience remain essential qualities, attributes which the FIM Capital team have in abundance largely thanks to their experienced and dedicated members of staff.

Mr Scales is pictured far right, with Mr Collister