The outgoing clerk of Arbory and Rushen Commissioners says there is lots of 'really good' and 'innovative' work being carried out across local authorities.

Phil Gawne, who's leaving the post after 10 years of service, believes there's been an increase in the amount of bureaucracy attached to the position from when he first started.

Mr Gawne has officially finished, however he will stay on for a couple of months during a transition position to support the incoming clerk.

He says in some instances the government could learn from local authorities.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him:

Some parents on the Isle of Man believe a recent ruling in the US regarding smartphone apps should be a wake up call to the government here.

The recent trial in California found that Meta, which owns Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, and Google, owner of YouTube, intentionally designed social media platforms to be addictive.

In response to recent questions, Government said it had no plans to ban social media for under-16s but will 'continue to monitor international debate on the issue'.

Campaigners John Bolton and Jessica Cross see the recent verdict as a watershed moment, and want the Isle of Man to take notice.

The president of Tynwald has announced he'll retire from politics later this year.

Laurence Skelly has confirmed he won't be seeking re-election when his term in office expires in July.

He's been in the post since 2021, having previously served as a Member of the House of Keys for 10 years, including seven years as a minister.

He says it's been a great privilege to serve the people of Rushen and the Isle of Man, and that he intends to remain active in Island life following his retirement.

The election of the next President of Tynwald will take place on 21 July for a term of office extending to 2031.

The directors of Mannin Music say there's a 'general feeling' in Peel that things don't happen in the town and why that is, is 'unclear'.

Business owners Laura and David Rowles say concerns about the proposed beach stage hadn't been raised by Peel Commissioners until this Wednesday (25 March), when the clerk called to pass on comments from the board.

The pair suggested the idea to Commissioner Katryna Baptist and the shop is partnering with the local authority for the trial of the stage as well as helping organise acts.

They added that meetings with Ms Baptist and Commissioner Stuart Hardingham have been 'positive'.

Mr and Mrs Rowles also say the licence application for the stage is due on 2 April but are yet to receive a letter confirming they can act on the behalf of the local authority to get the necessary permissions.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to them.

The chief minister says there's 'no guarantee there'll be any support' from government amid the ongoing fuel crisis.

The cost of petrol, diesel and home heating oil has shot up as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Alfred Cannan confirmed government is following a number of key principles, including weekly meetings, establishing an industry monitoring body and protecting the supply of fuel to the Island.

However, speaking on Manx Radio, he wouldn't commit to providing any help to people struggling with the increases:

A new consultation is inviting residents, property owners, and stakeholders to share their views on how voluntary land registration can be encouraged and made more accessible.

The Land Registry, within the Central Registry, is reviewing how residents can be further incentivised do so in an attempt to increase the uptake of registration.

The consultation follows a Tynwald approved recommendation from the Tynwald Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Justice Committee’s First Report on Adverse Possession and Land Registration.

Registrar General Ed Clague says they are open to all suggestions:

Hospice Isle of Man has confirmed a number of redundancies and service changes amidst what it describes as 'increasingly unsustainable' financial difficulties.

In this edition of Newscast, we speak to Hospice CEO Fiona Hatton about the 'tough decision' the charity has faced.

A new form, which has been trialled successfully on the frailty unit at Noble's Hospital, will soon be getting rolled out further.

It has been created by Sonia Blake - Manx Care's Day Centre Services Manager - for use across all clinical settings, particularly those that are 'time poor', like hospital wards.

The document is the brainchild of her experience when her mum was in hospital with the later stages of Alzheimer's, and her desire for staff to know what made her mum feel safe when she couldn't be there.

It focusses on five things that matter most to the person, to help put them at ease, as Sonia told Siobhán Fletcher.