Engagement Hub

We asked

The Department of Infrastructure received two petitions from local residents in 2020, identifying problems and seeking the implementation of traffic calming and pedestrian safety measures in the area, including 20mph restrictions. A feasibility study was carried out with a number of options suggested. Feedback was sought from key stakeholders, the general public particularly residents and businesses in the scheme area about the proposals and any other issues that are affecting the area regarding making our streets suitable for all residents, pedestrians and road users.

You said

592 responses were received by the Consultation Hub. Responses were also received by email, paper copies and from the drop in sessions.  These are reported on in a separate section in the consultation response document which is available as a downloadable document on this page.

To what extent do you support the introduction of a 20mph speed limit within the area?

77% of respondents said they supported the introduction of a 20mph speed limit within the area in some form.

The scheme proposes traffic calming measures on Alexander Drive and Mount Bradda. To what extent do you support the use of traffic calming in these areas?

• 33% supported the idea of traffic calming on Alexander Drive and Mount Bradda
• 15% said they supported the idea but would suggest other areas in addition
• 10% said no but would like to suggest alternative areas
• 41% did not support traffic calming in these areas

To what extent do you support the addition of new road crossings, including zebra-like side road crossings, in the area?

• 57% were supportive
• 30% said no
• 11% unsure to the addition of new road crossings including zebra-like side road crossings in the area

Please indicate below the extent to which you support the improvements to popular walking and cycling routes in the area:

• Improvements to the existing walking route from Ballakermeen Drive to Ballakermeen High School:
  • 55% yes
  • 24% no
  • 17% not sure
• Walking route improvements on entry to Ballakermeen High School:
  • 58% yes
  • 19% no
  • 19% not sure
• Footway improvements on Hawarden Avenue:
  • 58% yes
  • 20% no
  • 18% not sure
• Traffic-free zone linking into residential and school area from Peel Road:
  • 29% yes
  • 50% no
  • 18% not sure

Please indicate below the extent to which you support the one-way road and no entry treatments:

• No entry treatments on residential streets (two-way traffic on street itself):
  • 27% yes
  • 49% no
  • 17% not sure
• One-way restriction on the access road next to Woodbourne Square:
  • 33% yes
  • 43% no
  • 13% not sure

We did

The Department would like to thank the public, particularly the residents in the scheme area, for their engagement and welcomes all the free form comments giving their reasons for supporting or not supporting any of the suggested options.

The Department has considered the responses to the engagement carefully and has published a consultation response which is available as a downloadable document on this page. This consultation report summarises the responses received and sets out the next steps the Department intends to take following the engagement.

We will use the feedback given by all stakeholders to help us develop a Living Streets Scheme for the area. It is hoped that the detail design stage will start this year, but this will be dependent on funding.

We asked

The Department for Enterprise asked for views on specific proposals to temporarily remove the requirement for Work Permits across all roles, occupations and economic sectors given the ongoing skills shortages and low levels of unemployment.  Feedback was also sought on a replacement registration process, the level of fee to be charged for such registration and maintaining the current position on persons with certain criminal convictions being required to still follow the full Work Permit process.

You said

253 responses were received (250 via the consultation Hub and 3 separate written responses).  The majority of respondents supported the proposals as set out in the consultation.

• 170 respondents (67%) expressed their views that there were no specific sectors or occupations where the requirement for a work permit needs to be retained
• 205 respondents (81%) supported the principle of requiring an employer to register non-Isle of Man Workers in replacement of a work permit application
• 233 respondents (92%) supported the principle of maintaining the existing provisions in respect of persons with certain criminal convictions
• 163 respondents (64%) supported the retention of a fee, to be paid at the time of registering a non-Isle of Man worker
• 151 respondents (60%) supported, on balance, the overall proposed approach.  Of those respondents who did not support the proposed approach, a further 26 (10%) expressed views that the proposals did not go far enough and the whole process should be removed / revoked.

Therefore, overall, there was a significant majority of respondents in support of further reform to the Work Permit system, with the specific proposals of the Department also receiving majority support.

We did

The Department has considered the responses to the consultation carefully and has published a consultation response which is available as a downloadable document on this page.  This consultation report summarises the responses received and sets out the next steps the Department intends to take following the consultation which concluded with a significant majority of respondents expressing the view that further reforms to the work permit system were required, with the specific proposals set out by the Department also receiving majority support.

The required legislative amendments will now be prepared and the Department intends to bring these forward at the October 2023 sitting of Tynwald.

Subject to the will of Tynwald, the Department intends to implement the revised process as soon as practicable following approval and clear guidance will be made available for both employers and employees, with the changes widely publicised ahead of implementation, if ultimately approved.

We asked

We asked for your opinions on the principles of secondary schools uniforms in Isle of Man schools to inform a review of the current uniform policies that are in place.

School uniform is a key element in promoting the ethos of a school, providing a sense of belonging and identity and setting an appropriate tone for an education setting. It is acknowledged to deliver important benefits to students, schools, families and the wider community.

By creating a common identity amongst all pupils, regardless of background, a uniform can offer many benefits, some of which include:

• Improved concentration and orderliness in the school environment
• Acting as a social leveller
• Promoting equality and a sense of togetherness
• Helping to identify students outside of the school site
• Highlighting people on school sites who should not be there
• Promoting pride and belonging for students in their school and local community

Schools work hard to maintain high standards in compliance with their published uniform requirements, helping all stakeholders understand what is expected from students and as a result encouraging and supporting the benefits a uniform offers.

You said

A public consultation was open for four weeks in January and February 2023. A total of 1,162 responses were received, with 1,044 identified as key stakeholders. Included in the respondents were teachers, students, parents and uniform providers.

50% of respondents stated that uniform ‘could be made more cost effective’.

50% of respondents stated that uniforms ensure students are not singled out because of what they are wearing.

In answering the question ‘what role does school uniform have in the ethos and culture of schools’:

• 62% of respondents stated it shows students as representatives of the school in the community
• 50% of respondents stated it fosters a sense of belonging
• 50% of respondents stated it allows a predictable selection of clothing for students who may find this stressful

When considering costs, 60% of respondents stated that the number of branded items in a school PE kit should be minimised. The full consultation results have been uploaded and can be viewed on the 'files' section below.

We did

Following review of the consultation results, no change to the existing Department’s School Uniform Policy Guidance from July 2021 are considered necessary.

Individual schools set their own Uniform Policy, in line with the guidance issued by the Department.

The consultation results have been reviewed and considered by all Secondary School Headteachers. Please find in the 'files' section below a summary of planned changes to the school uniform, to be implemented in the academic year commencing in September 2024 (subject to approval by the schools’ Governing Body).

Opinions on school uniform and the appropriateness of the questions to be asked as part of the consultation were sought from school leaders and student focus groups. The points below came out as part of this research and may be of benefit to interested parties:

• Schools would like parents/carers to know that they are happy to be approached if concerns arise about the acquisition of uniform. In the past, schools have been able to donate new and/or pre-worn uniform/footwear to families in their communities who are unable to acquire items for whatever reason
   
• Families can apply to the Department for uniform assistance from the available educational endowment provided by a benefactor – more information and an application form is available from the DESC's homepage under downloadable documents
   
• Schools referenced parents/carers raising concerns about the cost involved in replacing items of lost uniform. Schools seldom experience items going missing permanently, but each school is left with a considerable volume of unnamed lost property each academic year. When lost items are clearly labelled with the student’s name, they are often quickly returned to the owner
   
• Lost items that cannot be returned to their owner are kept for an appropriate length of time by schools and may be donated to other families if not claimed
   
• PE departments have a stock of items that they lend, or sometimes donate, to students who may not have access to the required items for lessons