Latest news with #IslandPlan
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Parents surveyed on pressures of raising children
The pressures being felt by the parents of children under the age of 11 are being explored in a new public health survey. The questionnaire looks at issues such as demands on finances and time, alongside concerns surrounding technology experience by parents and carers on the Isle of Man. Cabinet Office Minister David Ashford said responses would "help to make a difference in how we manage and develop parental support". The findings of the latest Isle of Man Health and Lifestyle Survey, which will be open until 28 May, are set to be published in January 2026. Questions cover issues such as parent and child health, children's safety, and isolation and loneliness. Respondents have been asked if they have found it difficult to get by financially in the past year, and if they have enough time for activities such as eating meals together and play. It also considers possible concerns felt about the use of technology and social media. The Isle of Man's public health directorate said the aim was to gain an understanding of "current pressures and priorities for families" on the island. They survey was one of a number of activities being undertaken to "improve development for school readiness", it added. Ashford said the information gathered would provide a "crucial insight to help us to identify gaps and potential opportunities for supporting families in the first years of a child's life". A spokesman for the Cabinet Office confirmed the survey was part of ongoing work with the Department of Education, Sport and Culture "towards addressing the early intervention priority in the Island Plan", which sets out the government's priorities. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Perceptions of homelessness gathered in survey Isle of Man Health and Lifestyle Survey 2025 Isle of Man Government - Public Health Isle of Man Government - Department of Education, Sport and Culture
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Public asked for views about Isle of Man education act proposals
Giving schools the power to restrict admissions, adding protections for looked-after children, and making changes to religious education are just three areas in which the Isle of Man's education department is asking the public about.A six-week consultation by the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (Desc) wants to hear residents' views on the updated draft Education Act. It also asks about plans for specialist education centres and emergency school closures, as well as grants and Daphne Caine said: "I encourage all stakeholders - educators, parents and members of the public - to participate" in the consultation, which closes on 15 June. The Education Act forms part of government's longer term Island Plan to give "every child" the "opportunity to thrive and succeed", she published in 2022, the Island Plan has since been updated consultation exercise builds upon a similar survey conducted last year. 'Increasing strain' One area of the consultation asks about establishing education facilities "outside of traditional school premises under certain conditions".These would be to cater for children "who may not be able to access a conventional school environment" or who are "at risk of significant harm", it alternative provision centre could offer "a multi-agency approach" to provide "comprehensive support".Proposed changes to education for looked-after children include the creation of a virtual would "allow the department to promote the educational achievement of children aged five to 19" who are subject to various care would also give the department the "legal mandate to continue to support these children" after compulsory school age until they are 19 if they remain in education". 'Restrict admissions' The questionnaire also addresses issues in highly populated areas of the said there was "increasing strain in certain schools... due to the increasing number of children living in the catchment areas".There are proposals are to give institutions the powers to restrict admissions if they have reached change could modernise the religious education curriculum, to include faiths outside of proposals include:The department could be given the power to make emergency school closuresOfficial terminology would be updated from "special education" to "additional education"Bursaries would be introduced for training in fields "critical to national interests" such as nursing and teaching Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
02-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Revamped former nurses' home in Douglas 'symbol of progress'
The completion of a regeneration project in the centre of the Manx capital is a "symbol of progress" of moves to redevelop vacant sites, the chief minister has said. Thie Clag has replaced the former nurses' home, which was built in 1953 when Noble's Hospital was situated in marks the first scheme by the Manx Development Corporation (MDC), which is a government-backed organisation set up to redevelop urban and brownfield the official opening Alfred Cannan said it marked a "significant achievement" in the in moves to create "sustainable development and community enhancement". The £11m complex includes a mix of 37 one and two-bedroom rental apartments. Cannan said the development, which also saw the clock house restored, "respectfully preserved" the former nurses' home and was a "a symbol of progress" for the regeneration of the MDC was founded with "a clear mission, to regenerate brownfield sites on the island as part of the commitments this administration set out within the Island Plan", he added. MDC Managing Director Dane Harrop said the first tenants would be moving in later this month and so far 70% of the flats had been said tenants were made up of their "target market", including key workers, young graduates and returning professionals."It's very important to repurpose and we're very proud that its a refurbished project," he organisation hoped to get started on the next project soon and was awaiting legal sign off for a "inner city village" near to the Thie Clag building, he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Jersey's first solar panel farm switched on to power homes
Jersey's first solar farm which will provide enough energy to power more than 600 homes has been switched 11 acre site consists of nearly 7,500 panels and is expected to power 14% of St Clement's Electricity's chief executive Chris Ambler said the array was a "very significant achievement" and was important for the island's energy solar farm and plans for a further five sites have received criticism from some residents and farmers who believe countryside land should not be used. 'Significant achievement' Mr Ambler said: "By a country mile it is the biggest solar panel array in the Channel Islands, it's the first big ground-based solar development."It's relatively modest by international standards but for Jersey I think it is a very significant achievement."He added the project cost more than £4.5m but should lead to lower and more stable electricity costs for the island."We're constantly looking for opportunities to diversify but do so cost-effectively and we think solar has a very important role to play as well as off-shore wind," Mr Ambler said. 'Energy security' Deputy Steve Luce, Environment Minister, said: "Low carbon energy will be critical to the island's energy mix in the future. "I congratulate Jersey Electricity and its partners on developing this scheme which, as well as providing the island with renewable energy, also helps contribute to our energy security."He added it is important to consider whether the panels can be viewed by residents and tourists in their Island Plan for 2022-2025 set out that large-scale solar panel installations were an increasingly viable option to reduce Jersey's reliance on French sources and increase levels of renewable added solar panel installations on the ground are easily removed allowing the land to be restored to its original condition. The site is also home to more than 100 sheep from Panigot Farm, which will prevent grass overgrowing and benefit from the shade of the Hughes, owner of Panigot Farm, said he contacted JE in 2022 when the site's plans were announced as he knew of the benefits for sheep grazing in solar Hughes said: "[The sheep] seem to be absolutely thriving, they're really enjoying the shade the panels themselves bring."Particularly in this weather - I think it's 25 degrees today - they're spending a lot of time in the shade which they normally wouldn't have the chance to do that."
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans to tackle IOM's key housing issues unveiled
Social housing, building new homes, and developing existing sites on the Isle of Man are among the priorities outlined in the government's plans to create a new housing association. Proposals for a separate organisation to tackle housing challenges have been set out in a report ahead of a statement in Tynwald on Tuesday. The government-commissioned study looked into the feasibility of moving housing responsibilities away from the Department of Infrastructure (DOI). One of the report's recommendations said: "A new, not-for-profit, housing entity will take on the landlord functions currently managed by the DOI." A government spokeswoman said "improving the affordability and availability of housing" was a "strategic priority" of the Island Plan. That document, first published in 2022, is updated annually and sets out various targets designed to grow the Manx economy. The report outlined a number of challenges currently facing the island, including "ageing housing stock with physical defects" and "bureaucratic hurdles" in accessing funding. To address these more effectively, the report recommends taking a number of responsibilities away from government and moving them to be under the proposed new association. These include the management and ownership of housing stock, housing development, and homelessness support services. The report said the new association would "have responsibility for developing feasible social and affordable housing solutions for Isle of Man residents, including suitable housing for key workers, and homelessness prevention activities". However, the government would still retain several responsibilities, including rent setting, policy and strategy, housing needs and market assessments, as well as overseeing the new association. The report follows a three-month consultation which cost £79,290. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Government priorities set out in plan update Updated government roadmap gets Tynwald backing Commitment to create 1,000 affordable homes Five-year roadmap to tackle 'big policy issues' Island Plan 2025-26 Tynwald
