Ray Harmer

I would like to encourage anyone who has a desire to make positive changes in their community to stand at the local authority elections. Nominations close on April 5th. Nomination forms are available at the local commissioners offices.

The Isle of Man became the first island in the world to be toilet twinned today. There was an event this afternoon where a certificate was presented to us by Lorraine Kingsley , Director of Toilet Twinning.

A third of the world’s population currently do not have access to a proper toilet. Toilet Twinning raises funds to provide toilets, clean water and hygiene education in developing countries.

More can be found at http://www.toilettwinning.org/

It is great news that our plans for Peel regeneration in Market Place have been given approval and funding. This is a significant investment and a vote of confidence in Peel. It is a huge step forward and is the culmination of great efforts by the committee, the commissioners and the wider community, working together to see this come to fruition.

Work is due to start after Easter.

Legislation to tackle derelict and unsightly buildings will be introduced in the House of Keys this week. This legislation will give local authorities more powers to tackle derelict buildings and is an important step for regeneration in our towns and villages.

Working with the One World Centre and Mannvend, Thie Bee coffee shops launch their Fairtrade coffee this Thursday 3rd March at Noble’s Hospital as part of the Isle of Man Fairtrade fortnight.

Other Fairtrade products on offer are coffee beans, filter coffee, decaff coffee, vending sugar, Maltesers, Kitkat, Dairy Milk bars and Fairtrade fruit juice.

This is part of a wider project to increase the use of local and Fairtrade foods within government departments.

Plans to share commissioner housing responsibilities in the West have moved a step forward. This was announced in the following press release.

http://www.three.fm/news/isle-of-man-news/joint-approach-to-housing-issues-in-west/

In his budget speech, Treasury Minister Eddie Teare confirmed funding for the preliminary design work on the new sewerage scheme for Peel.

This is great news after many have been working for a long time to see this vital facility become a reality.

Hotel Solutions has issued its report into the future for the Isle of Man’s hotel sector.

The report provides a useful insight in this area and makes a number of recommendations.

Among the findings, there is support for a boutique hotel in Peel. More information can be found below.

ISLE OF MAN HOTEL FUTURES STUDY

Tynwald last week unanimously supported the motion:

“That Tynwald welcomes moves to form a Manx Credit Union and calls upon the Treasury to introduce any necessary primary and secondary legislation by July 2017”

There is now real momentum in the drive to see a Manx Credit Union established on the Isle of Man. A pathway forward has been agreed with the Island’s regulator.

Manx Utilities have confirmed an environmental report and traffic assessment have been commissioned for the sewage treatment plant for Peel. They expect to complete these studies shortly. Manx Utilities have also confirmed their commitment to finishing the sewage works in 2019.