Agenda - Manx Radio

The Manx government has promised to make more information available on who owns the companies registered here, in a bid to improve transparency. But a critics say the commitment is vague. Ramsey Courthouse appears to have a clearer future, and we speak to the politician of the year.

The Cabinet Office is developing an area plan for the North and West of the Island. Patrick Commissioners can't support Manx Utilities chosen site for a sewage treatment plant in the parish, and Onchan MHK Rob Callister weighs in on the residents' 'boundary confusion'.

On the programme – we speak to the Island’s two homelessness charities, Graih and Housing Matters, about grassroots work to tackle the issue. They tell me of a lack of suitable accommodation on the Island and what can be done to improve the situation for those without a home.

A finance watchdog has labelled the Isle of Man one of the top 20 most aggressive tax havens, but the chief minister has dismissed the findings as irrelevant. We hear from both Howard Quayle and the Tax Justice Network.

An NGO calls on the Manx government to ban Saudi Pilots from using Ronaldsway Airport. We hear from the One World Centre and the Celtic League. A councilor is concerned there’s not enough people recycling, and an MHK explains her experience of standing for elections in Douglas.

Is planning enforcement improving? A committee hears evidence from the DEFA Minister, Douglas Council and MHKs on the subject – and a report which could lead to fundamental reforms of the Manx NHS is published. We hear from Sir Jonathan Michael.

Bride and Ramsey Commissioners weigh in on the rates reform debate. Are council tenants given support before evictions? And a local politician questions whether the DEFA Minister should have so much planning power.

An all-Island business rate; a good idea or bad idea? We hear from both Chris Thomas, and David Christian. And could the public buy shares in the nationalised Steam Packet? LibVann say it’s a way of ensuring taxpayers have a direct stake in the £124 million investment.

Does government allow local authorities to spend enough on housing maintenance? Should a 25% cap be lifted? We hear from those who think so. The Mayor of Douglas says he’s here to stay and worth every penny, and two local authorities express their climate commitments.

On the programme tonight, getting doctors to prescribe medicinal cannabis is a problem, according to one UK medical expert,tram lines are laid as the promenade scheme inches forward and we hear from the organisers of the community push against development plans in Peel.

A new push by government to address climate change, with a sixty-nine question consultation launched to gauge public opinion - we hear from those behind the drive, a planning application irks residents Peel, and does the collection of business rates need to change?

A Jurby special - we look at the changes to bus services in the area, and investigate the allocation of £1.8 million in the Pink Book for the 'Jurby Development Initiative'.

Tim Baker is confident plans to move contaminated silt from Peel Marina are up to scratch, Mec Vannin receives a spike interest, and Manx Utilities is keen to address Douglas Bay water quality.

Could domestic rates be based on the size of your home, rather than its rent-able value? A consultation is launched on this proposal by the Policy and Reform Minster Chris Thomas. And a local authority embarks on a £4.5 million social housing project.

Greens criticize the latest budget for failing to address the issue of climate change, a charity wants the environment to have an equal footing in the planning process, and we hear from the Manx Gas boss about a new user agreement.

Interested party status, a membership reduction for Port Erin Commissioners, and how to improve our democracy.

Garff Commissioners have a new member following a by-election, the DEFA minister stands by his department’s interested party policy change, and we look at the Ramsey Marina plans.

AGENDA 4 FEBRUARY 2019

It’s rate setting season for the Island’s local authorities, with stories to tell behind each rise, freeze or drop as commissioners look to balance budgets and plan for the year ahead. And we discuss government efforts to get to grips with mental health issues with Director of Community Care at the Department of Health and Social Care, Angela Murray.

Middle MHK Bill Shimmins defends his decision to vote against endorsing the Road Safety Strategy in Tynwald, and there’s more to this than meets the eye says one MHK about the rise in gate fees at the energy from waste plant.

A loss of planning status has left some in Crosby angry, as a development continues in the center of the village, and a proposal to link Onchan and Douglas with a new active travel route has put forward by the government as part of its active travel strategy.

On Agenda this evening, Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas on delays to the Eastern Area Plan, a Ramsey commissioner talks on voter turnout, and MHK Julie Edge speaks out on 2.1% public sector rent rise.

Douglas Council and government clash on Peel Road congestion issue, a preview of the last of this year's sittings of the House of Keys, and a look at Dandara's plans for a Ballasalla bypass.

We hear from Peel Commissioners' deputy chairman Alan Jones on an electoral blunder and Braddan Commissioners chairman Andrew Jessop on youth involvement local politics.

Glamping and a revamped Cosy Nook set for Port Erin, Great Meadow plans threaten heritage site, and why the TT access road isn't fit for purpose.