PAG public meeting: Not Old but Gold! Presentation summary

Tuesday, 17 February 2015 22:11 PAG

PAG Public Meeting

"Not Old but Gold!"

Making the Isle of Man a great place to grow old

Presentation Summary - feel free to download

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Not old but gold - presentation summary	132 Kb	1616

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Last Updated on Monday, 23 February 2015 21:17

Manx Credit Union momentum

Friday, 20 February 2015 20:10 PAG

A year ago the February PAG public meeting was titled "The Case for a Manx Credit Union"

We are delighted to say that there is good news to report from the Manx Credit Union Working Party which has been working hard since then to get this worthwhile project off the ground.

"The FSC has now issued the attached consultation seeking views of ‘all parties interested in establishing, offering services to, or becoming a member of a credit union’. The consultation closes on 13^th March 2015 so I would encourage you to respond by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , at the FSC, stating why you believe the legislation needs to be updated and a new framework introduced. If you are able to contribute to the questions asked in the consultation or if you want to discuss any aspect with the writer, that would be tremendous. The important thing is that the FSC get a flavour of public opinion so that Government are not able to say that there was insufficient interest shown.

Over the last twelve months the ‘expression of interest’ forms we made available, have now resulted in 537 people responding positively, with over 90 people ticking the volunteer box and 25 people offering by way of donation ‘seed money’ to get the project off the ground. On a world-wide basis there are now 57,000 credit unions with 208 million members operating in 103 countries (Source: World Council of Credit Unions). We should no longer deprive Isle of Man citizens from the benefits of the credit union movement. In the UK there are one million members of credit unions with assets in excess of one billion pounds. In the Republic of Ireland 75% of economically active people are in a credit union.

Credit unions aim to build a savings culture with affordable loans available to its members. This will be backed up by financial guidance and a sign posting service to other providers as appropriate without wanting to duplicate any such services offered locally. We are members of a national credit union trade association UKCU Ltd from whom we receive expert advice and encouragement. They will also be making a detailed response to the FSC.

This Consultation represents a window of opportunity to bring about a socially relevant enterprise with far reaching benefits for all our citizens. See more on our website. We are currently working on an alternative to the Depositors Compensation Scheme, as credit unions on Isle of Man are expressly excluded by legislation from this scheme. I would like to hear from you if you have any particular ideas about this.

If you wish to be included in our regular mailings please proceed to our website where you can return an ‘expression of interest’ form. Thank you for your continuing interest and be assured that the Working Party will not flinch in their efforts to bring about a credit union on the Isle of Man."

David Talbot , Chairman,Manx Credit Union (Working Party)

PAG urges you to support this worthwhile movement by responding to the consultation!

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Isle of man Health and Care Association - three years on

Wednesday, 18 February 2015 19:06 PAG

The Isle of Man Health and Care Association (HACA), the idea for which was first floated approximately three years ago at a PAG public meeting, continues to quietly work away for the benefit of local residents with some success.

The ongoing interaction between the Association and the Health and Social Care Department seems to be slowly producing some improvement in the way complaints by the public are handled; and HACA are pleased to report the management of the hospital, in particular, are becoming more receptive to the feedback they are providing to them.

As a relatively new charity HACA is still keen to recruit additional members but, even more so would be very pleased to hear from anyone who has some spare time and may wish to become involved in the running of the Association.

Theyare also planning a major fund raising event in May and additional volunteers are needed for the organising committee. So if you think you could help - even if only for the next few months - please call the HACA office on 652571 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

More information on their website http://www.iomhaca.im/

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Assisted Dying - No change in the Law

Wednesday, 04 February 2015 22:07 PAG

Rushen MHK, Juan Watterson, was emphatically refused by his Keys colleagues (03.02.15) that:

"Leave be granted to introduce a Bill to amend the Law with respect to assisted dying and for connected purposes."

It is a major rejection in a protracted campaign going back over a decade to get the law changed. In 2003 over 3000 people signed a postcard petition to say that they supported Voluntary Euthanasia. This was followed by an in-depth Select Committee Report which was largely ignored by parliament.

More...

Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 February 2015 22:21

The future of the User Agreement: Dick Clague's presentation

Monday, 19 January 2015 21:12 PAG

The future of the User Agreement and EU Passenger Rights - presentation

Dick Clague

The importance of the Irish sea routes for the Isle of Man is obvious to most residents, especially when there is an interruption to services as there has been in recent weeks.

Dependable sea links are of significant importance and we require reliable, year-round ferry and freight services at competitive prices to meet travel and business needs.

Ferry operations play a fundamental role in our economy and wellbeing.Yet many people do not fully understand the User Agreement under which the IOM Steam Packet Company operates its services.

Dick Clague spent many years working with the shipping industry, is the author of the book "Heysham Port - A Century of Manx and Irish Services" and was a founder member of TravelWatch IOM. He currently is its specialist in maritime passenger matters.

The current User Agreement is in place until 2020 with parties having an option to extend until 2026. The Department of Infrastructure is considering long term options for the continuance of strategic sea services and is seeking expressions of interest from operators who can provide passenger roll on/roll off freight ferry services.

In his illustrated talk Dick explained the pros and cons of the User Agreement and suggested changes needed if it is to serve the current and future needs of the Island. In addition he outlined the rights from which IOM ferry passengers benefit under the terms of EU Regulation 1177/2010.

Attachments:
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PAG User Agreement presentation with Dick Clague [PDF]	475 Kb	694
PAG User Agreement presentation with Dick Clague [Powerpoint]	866 Kb	621

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Last Updated on Monday, 02 February 2015 19:49

Legislative Council (Part 3) - Don't do it David!

Saturday, 24 January 2015 22:59 PAG

A year ago Phil Gawne was refused, by his Keys colleagues, leave to introduce a Bill to abolish the Legislative Council. He likened LegCo to an old settee, past its usefulness, unelected and unaccountable. He believed it was time to simplify parliamentary structure and tackle parliamentary expenditure largely left untouched by cutbacks.