Agenda - Manx Radio

Douglas residents will pay out around £12 million in rates across the next financial year, but where does that money go? We speak to councillors about the budget for 2020/21, and find out how the local authority intends to use public finances.

The owners of Caley’s Stores have decided to call it a day, causing an outpouring of sadness in the Sulby community. We hear why the old adage use it or lose it rings true. The Arbory/Rushen merger prompts talk over the future for local authorities, and whilst rates are being set, we hear what's going with attempts to change the way the property tax is assessed.

Should MHKs be paid more, and the financial boost for being a departmental member dropped? It’s one of the ideas put forward in a report into the pay of Tynwald members. Some say this could re-balance executive and scrutiny roles by removing the ‘sweetener’ that comes with joining government. Others feel the report missed an opportunity to cut politicians' salaries and save public money.

The Post Office says nothing is decided on the future of the Ballasalla counter, but residents have serious concerns about the prospect of losing a 'vital service'. We hear from some of the more than 100 people who turned up to a coffee morning last week to discuss the issue. Public sector rents are to go up 1.9% in April. Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer explains how the increase is calculated,...

The man who's served as clerk to three authorities in the north of the Island for almost half a century will step down next year. John Quayle, who's 80, has managed the books at Jurby Commissioners since 1973, and says at his age, it was time to 'pack it up' and will step down in February. We speak to him about his time in local politics.

Manx Utilities is aiming to start work next year on a new sewage plant in Laxey by the village harbour. But a residents' group, Best For Laxey, is opposed to the choice of location. And commissioners in Ramsey welcome news there’ll be flood defences built in the town, but want to make sure any scheme is done to the right standard.

An investigation is called in Malew over fears decision were made by commissioners without full approval. Slow down say Ballabeg residents to speeding motorists. And we hear from Douglas Council about plans for a Bee Gees statue on the capital’s promenade.

An Onchan commissioner resigns, accusing board members of trying to undermine him and creating a bad atmosphere at meetings. But the local authority's chairman insists members are told to treat each other with respect, and heated discussion is part of the job. Two politicians/businessmen unveil plans for a £6 million commercial sports centre at King Williams College, insisting the facility will be...

'It was like a courtroom' say some who took part in the Eastern area Plan inquiry, we hear from those who felt they were up against it. A housing development in Marown has left residents feeling sorely disappointed. Is the fracking debate a distraction? And all change at Malew Commissioners, but the new chairman insists there’s no lack of experience.

A new skate park in Castletown is just weeks away from completion. We speak to the commissioner behind the project, and those building the 'world class facility' at Poulsom Park. Residents in Port St Mary fear a main road could collapse if development on the Underway continues – and Douglas Council wants to see changes to the way social housing is funded.

Villagers in Laxey demand answers from Manx Utilities and government ministers over flooding which devastated homes along Glen Road. We get the reaction of residents, commissioners and MHKs from last week's public meeting. And what impact will the 'climate emergency' have on plans to zone swathes of greenfield sites under the Eastern Area Plan?

Garff Commissioners say the devastating floods in Laxey could’ve been avoided, and want government to take action. Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas puts forward a plan to modernise rates, but critics aren’t sure it’s any better than the current system.

How does looking for gas in the Manx seabed fit into the government’s commitment to make the Island carbon neutral? MHK Ralph Peake and MLC Jane Poole-Wilson, members of the climate change transformation team, attempt to answer that question. And they could call men to arms, quell riots and light beacons to warn of invasion – we speak to a new Captain of the Parish.

Good planning recognises the latest data – those the words of our guest on this programme, author of the 2016 Isle of Man Population Atlas, Paul Craine. He’s questioning figures in the Eastern Area Plan which could lead to swathes of Greenfield land zoned for development in expectation of a growing population. But is the Island’s population really going to grow? Or are government hopes a distant r...

The Isle of Man Green Party is gearing up for its first conference this weekend, with community, clean energy and climate change all on the bill. We hear from party leader Andrew Newtown, and deputy leader Lamara Craine. Plans to turn Ramsey Courthouse into a community hub get the green light from planners. And there’s now a full set of Malew Commissioners after a by-election last week, we speak t...

We hear from the five candidates vying for the three vacant seats on the board of Malew Commissioners. With a by-election taking place on Thursday, the five hopefuls explain why they're standing. And in the second half of Agenda, foodbank users speak out about poverty on the Isle of Man, whilst the government insists steps are being taken to address the issue.

Do you know how much local authority members claim? Should they take allowances for attending meetings? Some do, and some don’t, we hear why. Commuters are 'fed up' with the TT access road, but changes aren't likely to be made until 2022.  Finally, residents by Ballakermeen High School fear traffic calming measures could lead to further congestion despite claims to the contrary. 

Commissioners in Castletown feel planners are frustrating efforts by developers to build new homes in the ancient capital. Those behind plans for glamping in Groudle explain more about the project, and we speak to the MHK, turned Health Minister, who promised to bring the issue of local authority reform to Tynwald every year unless 'sufficient progress is made'.

The roll out of Bus Vannin’s 'dial-a-ride' minibus service has caused a stir in the north, where Jurby residents are unhappy with the loss of regular, timetabled buses, and a taxi driver leaves Kirk Michael due to ‘unfair competition’. And should the Tynwald ombudsman be able to investigate complaints against local authorities and statutory boards?

A local authority merger special, as Arbory and Rushen Parish Commissioners investigate a possible union. We look at the experience of Laxey Lonan and Maughold which merged to form Garff in 2015. And are local authority mergers a sign of government led reform, or complete inaction? We hear the opposing views of Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer, and Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper.

Who should compensate businesses suffering from works along Douglas promenade? Onchan Commissioners are wary of major development under the Eastern Area Plan, and a play park revamp in Port Erin has come at an unfortunate time.

'Unparliamentary language' and 'institutional bullying' - criticism for the education minister. And why is the Douglas promenade refurbishment scheme costing an extra £6.5 million?

The Treasury Minister discusses the £3.7m airport trading deficit

On this episode – new data on how many homes are needed in Douglas, Onchan, Braddan, Marown, and Laxey has sparked debate among politicians, It's ahead of the pre-inquiry meeting into the Eastern Area Plan, a document which once complete, will set out how land is zoned in the most populated part of the Island. Middle MHK Bill Shimmins is at odds with Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas on the...

A commemoration of the voyage of the Odin's Raven will be held this Tynwald Day ( 5 July). It's the 40th anniversary of the expedition, where a Manx and Norwegian crew sailed the replica Viking long-ship between Trondheim and Peel to celebrate the millennium year of the Manx Parliament. We speak to the man behind the voyage, Robin Bigland, and President of Tynwald Steve Rodan.