Welcome

Being your MHK involves huge variety. I deal with issues of importance to individuals, of concern within our local community and of national importance. I remain committed to helping our communities and being accessible to all of you whom I represent.

My New Role in Government

From 1st April in the restructuring of government departments and reshuffle of Ministers, I am now Minister for Health. This will be a challenging area to work in with the financial challenges we are facing in a demand-led service.

I was Member with Responsibility for Health when I was first elected in 2001, under the then Minister, Mrs. Claire Christian, MLC, so I have worked with many of the Health team before and look forward to working with them again, as we have, I believe, a first class health service. I am, however, sorry to leave the DOT, as I have enjoyed the diverse areas through which it
supplied service to the public.

One of my first tasks in Health will be to try to bring to a successful conclusion the permanent reinstatement of the Reciprocal Health Agreement with the UK that has been extended temporarily until October.

There will be some difficult decisions to make over the next 18 months but I intend to make those decisions with fairness to all.

Western Live at Home Scheme

A change at the helm at Western Live at Home Scheme where Fran Griffiths has replaced Jo Dixon who did so much to grow the scheme and struck up such a good rapport with volunteers and scheme users as well as broadening out the area being served by the scheme.

Fran has quickly got up to speed with her role and she brings a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to the job.
As a result of the intended sale of Central Marts premises the base at St. Johns has moved with Fran's office being back at the Philip Christian Centre in Peel. The committee were delighted that St. Johns Football Club were happy for the social group that meets in St. Johns to move to their excellent facilities for their weekly social.

The committee which is so ably led by Pat Heggs looks to support Fran and raise funds to support its growing scheme.

The success of the Scheme is dependent on continuing local fundraising.

If you would like to get involved in the Scheme Fran would love to hear from you (tel 843012 or 414796).

UK CHANGES LONG-STANDING AGREEMENTS WITH ISLAND

The UK government now has a huge debt following the banking crisis and a deep recession in their economy.  As a result they have forced changes to the longstanding VAT sharing agreement.

The changes to the Island's share of the VAT pool with the UK (modified only two years before) gave the Island no option for negotiation, apart from the change being phased in over two years.  The impact of these changes will  be significant for all of us in the next few years in the way services are charged for and delivered.

As a result of our income reducing by 25% over the next two years, we in government departments need to be leaner and more efficient and the level the public have come to expect will have to be tempered.  In the recent budget, however, the government confirmed that it will continue to give Health and Education as well as the vulnerable in our society its top priority.

It is widely accepted that the scale of government has to be more realistic in the change to government revenue.  It is important that when changes are planned that we do that in a way that treats our valued staff with respect and that we analyse every post that becomes vacant to make sure it is essential to be filled.  This is already being done and over the past year 99 posts have not be filled as a result of this process.