Cancellation of Senior Race Day 2020

Summary

The request sought information regarding the cancellation of the 2020 Senior Race Day bank holiday and the establishment of a replacement holiday in August. The Cabinet Office disclosed all information, including the statutory order cancelling the holiday due to the cancellation of the Tourist Trophy races and Council of Ministers minutes approving a replacement holiday on August 28, 2020.

Key Facts

• The Senior Race Day bank holiday for 2020 was cancelled because the Tourist Trophy motorcycle races did not take place.
• The Bank Holidays (Amendment) Order 2020 was made on 4 May 2020 and came into operation on 1 June 2020.
• The Council of Ministers approved Friday 28 August 2020 as a replacement bank holiday.
• The replacement holiday weekend was themed to recognize the Isle of Man's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Treasury and Department for Enterprise were tasked with leading stakeholder consultation on the replacement holiday's activities.

Data Disclosed

• 2020
• 1 June 2020
• 4 May 2020
• 28 August 2020
• 31 August 2020
• 12 June 2020
• 12 May 2020
• 11 May 2020
• 28 April 2020
• 206/2020a
• 20/184
• 686409
• 2019
• 1989
• 2020/0285
• 2019/0304

Original Request

I require all information pertaining to the cancellation of the Senior Race Day bank holiday 2020c and all information relating to the establishment of a new bank holiday in August. Including, emails, written correspondence, etc

Data Tables (8)

Full Response Text

Bank Holidays (Amendment) Order 2020 Article 1

c V01 Page 1

Statutory Document No. 2020/0285 c Bank Holidays Act 1989 BANK HOLIDAYS (AMENDMENT) ORDER 2020 Laid before Tynwald:

Coming into Operation: 1 June 2020 The Treasury makes the following Order under section 1(2) of the Bank Holidays Act 1989. 1 Title This Order is the Bank Holidays (Amendment) Order 2020. 2 Commencement This Order comes into operation on 1 June 2020. 3 Bank Holidays Order 2019 amended (1) The Bank Holidays Order 20191 is amended as follows. (2) In article 3 (bank holidays)—
(a) in paragraph (1), for “paragraph (2)” substitute «paragraphs (2) and (3)»; and
(b) after paragraph (2), insert — «(3) In 2020, paragraph (1)(h) does not apply.».

MADE 4 MAY 2020

A L CANNAN Minister for the Treasury

1 SD 2019/0304 Explanatory Note Bank Holidays (Amendment) Order 2020

Page 2 V01 c

EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Order) This Order amends the Bank Holidays Order 2019 to provide that there will be no bank holiday on the day scheduled as Senior Race Day in 2020. This is in view of the Tourist Trophy motorcycle races not taking place in 2020 and in consequence no Senior Race Day being scheduled.

Council considered a paper submitted by the Treasury seeking confirmation that Friday 28 August 2020 be a Bank Holiday in replacement for the revoked TT Senior Race Day holiday [12 June 2020] and providing further information in relation to the consultation and process for determining the holiday theme and activities.

Council noted that an urgent Parliamentary Question had been tabled for the extra-ordinary sitting of Tynwald [12 May 2020] in relation to the revocation of the TT Senior Race Day Bank Holiday, and agreed that discussion take place between the Treasury, the Department for Enterprise and the Chief Secretary that day [directly after the conclusion of the meeting of Council 11 May 2020].

Council discussed the public and political interest in the matter and agreed that a letter be prepared by the Treasury and circulated to all Tynwald Members, to clarify the decisions taken.

The Minister for Enterprise noted that the matter of a Bank Holiday later in the year had been raised at a previous National Strategy Group meeting [28 April 2020; Minute 206/2020a refers].

After consideration, Council agreed that:

1. Friday 28 August 2020 be approved as a Bank Holiday, and that the extended holiday weekend [to include the Monday Bank Holiday 31 August 2020] be themed in recognition of the response by the people of the Isle of Man to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; and

2. Treasury and the Department for Enterprise lead a stakeholder consultation in relation to the content, theme and extent of activities and events for such.

Confidential Page 1 of 2

Council of Ministers Paper No. 20/184
[Obtainable from 686409]

Paper for Council of Ministers
Routine Business

Department/Board/Office Treasury Chief Officer Caldric Randall Responsible Officer

Cut ups to be sent to Caldric Randall

Date of Council Meeting
4th May 2020

Title Removal of ‘Senior Race Day’ as a public Holiday for 2020.

*Collective Responsibility: (Mandatory field, please choose an option)

Not a Collective Responsibility matter *Which of the 3 Government Strategic Objectives does this proposal comply with?

Financially Responsible Government Which of the Council of Ministers Sub- Committees has considered this proposal?

Not applicable The proposal relates only to the Department’s core or statutory responsibilities

Not Applicable

Has appropriate internal and/or public consultation taken place? Not applicable Are there any resource/personnel implications? No Has Treasury concurrence been obtained where necessary? Yes Is the Department acting within its legal powers or has legal advice been obtained? (If yes confirm and provide evidence within the paper) Not applicable Are there any inter-Departmental implications?
Not applicable If yes, which other Departments are involved?
Treasury What is the intention of this paper?
Seek Direction Primary Legislation: Has Council Legislation Subcommittee approved the inclusion of the proposed Bill on the Legislative Programme. If Yes please give decision date:
No Major Policy Proposal/Primary Legislation:
Have you completed an Impact Assessment? If yes please attach a copy as an Appendix to the paper. No Have you taken appropriate Corporate Communications Service advice?
Not applicable Does this initiative/announcement have a communications plan?
Yes Purpose of the Paper:
To seek direction from the Council of Ministers on whether the Bank Holiday normally falling on Senior Race Day should be removed for 2020.

Confidential Page 2 of 2

Introduction:

Bank Holidays are made by Treasury under Section 1(2) of the Bank Holidays Act 1989. The current Order made under this Act, the Bank Holidays Order 2019, was laid before the July 2019 sitting of Tynwald. This was done to accommodate the move, for 2020 only, of the early May Bank Holiday, to coincide with VE Day celebrations.

This order also clearly states all Bank Holidays held on the Isle of Man, including Senior Race Day, which is listed as “the day scheduled as Senior Race Day as part of the Tourist Trophy motorcycle races”.

Current Position:

Due to the outbreak of Covid-19, the Council of Ministers decided that, as part of the measures to protect the Island’s population from the pandemic, the 2020 edition of the TT motorcycle races would be cancelled. As a result, there will be no Senior Race on the last Friday of TT week, a day which is ordinarily deemed to be a Bank Holiday.

Traditionally, many industries, particularly those connected with the construction industry, close down for some or all of the TT period. However, many of those industries have, as of the 24th April been allowed to return to work, subject to adherence with current social distancing rules, after a number of weeks of ‘lockdown’. Its felt that given the period of ‘lockdown’ that these industries will not close down for the TT period so soon after being allowed to resume work and therefore, it would be appropriate to revoke the Bank Holiday that would have been held on Senior Race Day.

Attached is the Bank Holidays (amendment) Order 2020, which allows for the revocation of Senior Race Day as a Bank Holiday for 2020 only, as the Bank Holidays Order 2019 will re- instate this as a Bank Holiday for 2021. There are no plans to revoke any of the other Bank Holidays, at this stage.

Recommendation/Decision:
Council of Ministers is asked to provide guidance on Treasury’s decision to revoke the Senior Race Day Bank Holiday for 2020.

Chief Officer
Caldric Randall Department

The Treasury

Date

1st May 2020

CONFIDENTIAL
Page 1

Council Paper No. 2020/202

PAPER FOR COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

From Treasury Chief Officer Caldric Randall Responsible Departmental Officers As above Cut ups to be sent to As above Date of Meeting
11 May 2020

Title Bank Holiday 28 August 2020

Collective Responsibility: (Mandatory field, please choose an option)

Matter of National Importance Which of the 3 Government Strategic Objectives does this proposal comply with?

Not Applicable Which of the Council of Ministers Sub- Committees will consider this proposal?

Not applicable The proposal relates only to the Department’s core or statutory responsibilities

Not Applicable

Does the paper refer to a specific corporate objective or target? Ref:
Has appropriate consultation taken place? Not applicable Are there any resource/personnel implications? Yes Are there any inter-Departmental implications?
Yes If yes, which others Departments are involved?
Treasury, DfE, What is the intention of this paper?
Seek Approval Purpose of the Paper:

For Council of Ministers to confirm 28th August 2020 as a Bank Holiday to replace the TT Senior Race Day holiday of 12th June, the consultation and process for determining the holiday theme and activities.

CONFIDENTIAL
Page 2

Background

On 4th May Council of Ministers, paper 20/184 refers, agreed with the Treasury Minister’s decision to revoke the Senior Race Day Bank Holiday for 2020, with the Order then being placed on the Order paper for May Tynwald.

Replacement

The intention was to consider a ‘replacement’ of the holiday with an additional day later in the year linked to a celebration of the island’s response to the Coronavirus. Given the reaction to the Order a potential date has had to have been announced earlier than initially intended.
The date indicated is the 28th August 2020.

The rationale for this decision is as follows:

 Should the stay safe strategy progress as is hoped, then there should be significantly more economic activity with perhaps shops, restaurants, pubs and other attractions being open. This will not only allow people to enjoy the day more but provide a boost for those businesses.  The levels of unemployment and numbers relying on MERA and Salary Support are high at present and whilst it is anticipated that levels of unemployment will continue to be higher than normal, there is likely to be more disposable income available later in the year;  The 28 August 2020 would tie in with the existing 31 August 2020 Bank holiday and so would provide a 4 day holiday. This would allow most workers to have some time off, would provide a replacement for the ‘lost’ Easter holiday that happened under controlled conditions and would allow an extended weekend to be available for the celebration.

Theme

There have been a number of suggestions as to the theme or reason for the holiday including a celebration of the Health workers, Key workers or for the whole community. Care needs to be taken in selecting the theme as there has been significant contributions from a very wide range of the community and as we have recently experienced circumstances relating to the control of the virus can change rapidly. In addition announcing a ‘celebration’ as this earlier stage may indicate that the fight against the virus is over and we are signalling a victory which would be inappropriate.

However it is suggested that an announcement is made that the weekend should be ‘pencilled in’ as a recognition of the response to the Coronavirus by the people of the Isle of Man.
Some caution must be exercised though as there is a risk of subsequent waves of infection and this could potentially reverse some of the relaxation that may have been made.

This plan would provide for businesses, especially those in the hard hit leisure sector, some opportunity to plan in advance for the weekend. Whilst it is expected that there will still be social distancing restrictions and there would need to be caution around allowing mass gatherings, this should allow increased trade for businesses and for the public. The latest economic scenario included within the Bank of England’s May Monetary Policy indicates that whilst Q2 will see a significant downturn in consumer spending, a bounce could be experienced in Q3. This relates to the UK of course and August is not quite Q2, however it does indicate that there may be some pent up consumer demand that could provide an economic boost. CONFIDENTIAL
Page 3

The detailed content of the day and its themes can be worked up over the coming weeks. In a similar vein to ‘the year of our island’ some Government funding could also be made available if desired. For example a grant to towns to run their own events.

It is suggested that Treasury and the Department for Enterprise lead the development of the plans and consultation is undertaken with the following groups:

 Tynwald members  Businesses  Government departments and bodies, including Manx National Heritage

Due to the uncertainties with the progression of the virus it is unlikely that details of events or plan will be able to be announced until July, however they would be planned to allow some broader economic activity and social interaction, within restrictions.

There is a further uncertainty of course in that the UK Government could consider a similar bank holiday and this could bring additional pressure to implement that as well.

Recommendations

The 28th August 2020 is approved as a Bank Holiday and the weekend is used to recognise the response of the community to Coronavirus.

Treasury and DfE lead a consultation on the content of the extended weekend and return to Council of Ministers with further details for approval.

Caldric Randall Chief Financial Officer 9th May 2020

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244 Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 1286147 8 June 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 8 May 2020 and which states:

"I require all information pertaining to the cancellation of the Senior Race Day bank holiday 2020c and all information relating to the establishment of a new bank holiday in August. Including, emails, written correspondence, etc"

Our response to your request is as follows: I have attached copies of the information that is being released to you. • Council of Ministers paper 2020/184 – ‘Removal of ‘Senior Race Day as a public Holiday for 2020’ • The Bank Holidays (Amendment) Order 2020 was laid before the May 2020 sitting of Tynwald [19 May 2020] • Council of Ministers paper 2020/202 – ‘Bank Holiday 28 August 2020’ • Extracts of relevant minutes – 30 April and 4, 9, 11 May 2020 While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because it is absolutely exempt under section 25 (b) of the Act (absolutely exempt personal information) namely the names of some Government Officers have been redacted. The reasons why that exemption applies are that: The Cabinet Office is satisfied that the information amounts to personal data of which you are not the data subject; and The Cabinet Office is satisfied that disclosure of the information would contravene one of the data protection principles as set out at Article 5 of the General Data Protection Regulation as it applies in the Isle of Man pursuant to the Data Protection (Application of GDPR) Order 2018, namely that the Cabinet Office can only disclose the information where it would be fair, lawful and meet one of the conditions for lawful processing in Article 6 and in this case, no

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