Yellow card data, who reviewed it

Summary: The requester sought correspondence and governance details regarding Yellow Card data and COVID-19 vaccine adverse reactions between December 2020 and December 2021. The Cabinet Office responded with partial information, providing specific email exchanges from April 2021 concerning a death and anaphylaxis incident, while noting that not all requested information was held.

The request was clarified to cover the period between December 2020 and December 2021 inclusive.

The outcome was 'Some information sent but not all held'.

Disclosed emails show a mix-up between a death following a Pfizer vaccination and a separate anaphylaxis Yellow Card incident.

Minister David Ashford and Kathryn Magson discussed the appropriate public statement regarding the unconfirmed cause of death.

The response included 9 pages across 2 documents.

2023-10-16
2023-11-14
December 2020
December 2021
15 April 2021
25 November 2021
23 October 2023
9 pages
2 documents
FOI 21/401
Tynwald Question 3.3


Staffing Levels - Number of employees, posts held and sickness abscenc

Summary: A request was made to Manx Care for detailed staffing statistics, vacancy rates, and sickness absence data regarding social work roles in Adult and Children's services between 2021 and 2023. The authority confirmed that all requested information was sent to the applicant on August 22, 2024.

The request covered qualified social work roles in Adult fieldwork and Children's services, excluding mental health.

Data was requested for specific dates: March 30, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

The response included information on permanent, agency, and vacant posts.

Sickness absence data related to work stress was requested for the years 2020 through 2023.

The authority confirmed the outcome as 'All information sent'.


External legal services paid for by AG's Chambers.

Summary: The request sought total payments made by the Attorney General's Chambers to external lawyers for the years 2018 through 2022. The authority disclosed the specific monetary amounts for all requested years, noting that a practical refusal reason applied to any further analysis or compilation of data.

The Attorney General's Chambers paid £280,270 to external lawyers in 2022.

Payments to external lawyers increased from £89,196 in 2018 to £268,274 in 2021.

The response cited section 11(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 as a practical refusal reason for creating or compiling additional information.

The request covered both Isle of Man and UK law firms for civil and criminal representation.

The case was concluded on 20 November 2023 with reference number 3486489.

Section 11(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Practical refusal reason)

Section 8(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Create or derive information)

Section 8(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Undertake research or analysis)

Section 8(3)(c) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Substantial compilation or collation)


Energy Policy Board

Summary: The requester asked for details on staffing positions, hours, grades, and budgets for the Energy Policy Board Secretariat and external experts. The Cabinet Office responded that the specific information was not held, though they provided context that secretariat duties are part of existing roles and a £500,000 funding request is pending Treasury approval.

The Cabinet Office does not hold the specific information requested regarding position counts, grades, or allocated budgets.

Secretariat functions for the Energy Policy Board will be undertaken by existing Cabinet Office officers as part of their current duties.

The Council of Ministers agreed to request £500,000 per annum from the Treasury to cover resourcing over three years.

The requested funding has not yet been considered or allocated by the Treasury.

Discussions are ongoing regarding the potential secondment of part-time officers from other Departments.


Press Office Contacts with the Media

Summary: A request was made for all correspondence between the Cabinet Office Press Office and IOMTODAY from June to November 2023, resulting in the disclosure of some emails regarding electric bus trials while other information was withheld under exemptions.

The request covered the period from 01 June 2023 to 04 November 2023.

Disclosed emails detail inquiries about electric bus purchase prices and charging infrastructure costs.

The Department of Infrastructure (DoI) is currently trialling two electric vehicles.

Future infrastructure requirements for a full electric fleet are currently unknown.

The DoI has not yet trialled hydrogen or biofuel options.


Trials vacated due to delay in receiving medical reports

Summary: A request was made for data on criminal trials vacated due to delays in receiving medical reports from Manx Care for 2021-2023. The Attorney General's Chambers refused the request, stating they do not hold the information.

The request sought monthly data on vacated criminal trials in summary courts due to medical record delays.

The data was requested for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023 (year to date).

The responding authority is the Attorney General's Chambers on the Isle of Man.

The request was received on 15 November 2023 and responded to on 23 November 2023.

The authority cited a practical refusal reason as they do not hold the requested information.

Section 11(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information not held)


Respite Allocation Toolkit & Decision Making

Summary: The requester sought details on the review of the respite allocation framework, criteria for service reductions, and impact assessments for disabled children between October 2022 and 2023. Manx Care responded by providing a September 2023 referral toolkit and scoring matrix for respite services, though the outcome was noted as partially exempt.

The Children with Disabilities (CwD) Team developed the respite allocation toolkit in September 2023.

The toolkit references the NHS Continuing Healthcare Decision Support Tool Guidance 2022.

Referral reasons include carer respite, socialisation, early intervention, overnight respite, and independence skills.

A scoring system is used to assess needs, with 'High' rated at 10 points and 'Low' at 2 points.

Assessment criteria cover care needs, sleep hygiene, supervision requirements, family support, and emotional support.


MEDS overnight closure

Summary: The requester asked for the Policy Impact Assessment and Business Case regarding MEDS overnight closures; Manx Care provided the Business Case but refused the Assessment citing it was not held.

Manx Care does not hold the requested Policy Impact Assessment.

The Business Case was submitted to the Department of Health and Social Care.

Overnight closures were proposed for 12 weeks starting 8 January 2024.

A GP pay uplift to £120/hour was approved to ensure service viability.

The proposed closure model resulted in a cost saving of £1,955.84 compared to the current model.

Section 11(3)(a) of the Act (Information not held)


South Drive, Noble's Hospital

Summary: The requester asked for maintenance budgets, road safety responsibilities, and inspection reports for South Drive at Noble's Hospital, specifically regarding tree clearance and adherence to road standards. Manx Care disclosed that the road is unadopted, budget data cannot be broken down by specific road, and no tree surveys have occurred since October 2023, while clarifying that national road standards do not apply to the site.

South Drive is an unadopted road and not designated as a public highway.

Maintenance budgets are held by the Department of Infrastructure (DOI) and cannot be broken down for specific roads.

Tree surveys are conducted annually, but no surveys or works have been carried out since 24 October 2023.

Trees are pruned to allow double-decker bus clearance for the TT and Manx Grand Prix.

The GN-00-019 'Manual for Manx Roads' standards do not apply to existing unadopted roads like South Drive.


Carbon literacy training

Summary: The request sought details on the procurement, costs, and attendance figures for Carbon Literacy training across Isle of Man public bodies. The authority disclosed the training provider, budget, payments made, and staff attendance numbers, while directing the requester to existing financial regulations for procurement process details.

The training organization supporting delivery is Earthscope, using materials from the Carbon Literacy Project.

The total budget for Carbon Literacy training is £26,500, with £7,556.99 paid to date.

A total of 46 staff members across 13 public bodies have attended the training.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) had the highest attendance with 18 staff members.

The training represents a total of 360 working hours.

Section 20 of the Act (Information already reasonably accessible)


yellow card - increasing awareness

Summary: The requester asked Manx Care for communications detailing how the authority addressed public awareness of the 'Yellow Card' injury reporting system following a 2022 Tynwald session. Manx Care responded by releasing all requested information, confirming that copies of the relevant communications were attached to the response.

The request was made on 2024-02-09 and responded to on 2024-08-07.

The request stemmed from a Tynwald session on 11th July 2022 where Mrs Cope agreed to reinforce Yellow Card messaging.

The requester noted that a basic search for 'yellow card' on the gov.im website did not yield results.

Manx Care confirmed that all information regarding the communications was released.

The response included one document consisting of two pages.


Payment Processors and rails transaction volumes and flows

Summary: A request was made to the Isle of Man Financial Intelligence Unit for detailed data on B2C payment processor volumes, transaction flows, and fees over the past five years. The authority responded that the information is not held because the FIU does not collect data regarding payment processors or retail transaction volumes.

The Financial Intelligence Unit does not hold or collect data on payment processors or retail transaction volumes.

The FIU's statutory functions under Section 5 of the FIU Act are limited to financial crime prevention, detection, and analysis.

The request was received on 14 February 2024 and the response was issued on 13 February 2025.

The authority apologized for the one-year delay in providing the response.

The request covered 12 specific data points including transactional volumes, industry breakdowns, and merchant costs.


PRO transactions log

Summary: The request sought a transaction log for a specific Department of Home Affairs file regarding police employment terms held at the Public Record Office. The authority disclosed all information, providing details on the file's transfer, closure period expiry, and a log of six specific access events between 2022 and 2024.

The file (A113 Box 43) was subject to a 30-year closure period under the Public Records Act 1999.

The file became open to the public on 1 January 2024 upon the expiry of its closure period.

Six distinct interactions were recorded, including requests from the Attorney General's Chambers, the Department of Home Affairs, and members of the public.

The Public Record Office supplied redacted copies of correspondence, retrieval slips, and database entries as evidence of these transactions.

The file was transferred to the Public Record Office in 2018 and repackaged into specialist archival boxes.

2024-02-28
2024-03-25
1990-1993
2018
1 January 2024
27 April 2022
3rd May 2022
22 December 2023
28 December 2023
4th January 2024
10th January 2024
11th January 2024
173 pages
2 documents
Accession 113
Box 43
Unit 40A Spring Valley


Miscarriage/stillbirth figures

Summary: The requester asked for monthly and yearly figures of miscarriages and stillbirths on the Isle of Man from 2018 to the present. Manx Care withheld detailed breakdowns due to privacy concerns but disclosed the total number of recorded miscarriages for the period.

Detailed monthly or yearly figures were refused because low numbers could identify patients.

The total number of recorded miscarriages from 2018 to March 2024 is 776.

Stillbirth figures were not provided in the response.

The authority noted that miscarriages occurring without medical care are not captured in their data.

The request was processed under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

Section 25(b)(i) & (ii) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Absolutely exempt personal information)

Article 5 of the General Data Protection Regulation (Data protection principles)


Deletion of Former Chief Constables Emails

Summary: The requester sought clarification on the Isle of Man Constabulary's email retention policies and the source of information regarding a former Chief Constable's 'agreement in principle' with the Department of Home Affairs, given claims that relevant emails were deleted. The authority responded by confirming the request was received and began detailing the retention policy, though the provided text cuts off before the full response is visible.

The request concerns the deletion of the former Chief Constable's emails prior to a previous FOI submission.

The requester questions how the Constabulary confirmed an 'agreement in principle' if the supporting email records were deleted.

The Constabulary received this specific FOI request on 12 March 2024.

The response was issued on 28 March 2024 with the reference number 3726171.

The authority stated they would detail the policy for retaining correspondence of police officers and chief constables.


Patient care in the uk

Summary: The requester asked for a detailed breakdown of costs for transferring patients to the UK for treatment over the last 12 months, but Manx Care stated they do not hold this specific information. However, the authority disclosed the total spend on fixed-wing Air Ambulance Services for patient transfers between April 2023 and February 2024.

Manx Care refused the request under section 11(3)a of the Act as the specific cost breakdown was not held.

The total spend on fixed-wing Air Ambulance Services for patient transfers between 1 April 2023 and 29 February 2024 was £2,427,000.

The disclosed figure includes Coast Guard Rotary transfers but excludes GNNAS pre-hospital rotary activity.

The request was received on 8 March 2024 and the response was issued on 7 August 2024.

The requester has the right to request an internal review or appeal to the Information Commissioner if dissatisfied.

Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information not held)


joint meeting agendas, attachments and minutes (or filenotes)

Summary: The request sought agendas, attachments, and minutes for bi-monthly meetings between the First Deemster and the Justice Minister from November 2021 onwards. The authority disclosed notes from three specific meetings in 2021 and 2022 but withheld further information citing Section 25 exemptions.

The request covered meetings between the First Deemster and the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs starting from 24 November 2021.

Disclosed documents include meeting notes from 24 November 2021, 28 February 2022, and 28 November 2022.

The 24 November 2021 meeting established an agreement for bi-monthly meetings between the First Deemster and the Minister.

Key discussion topics included the future of Legal Aid, Court Welfare Service reviews, and Manx Bar Exam reforms.

Part of the requested information was withheld under Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act.

24 November 2021
28 February 2022
28 November 2022
4:00pm
5:30pm
5.15pm
16:00 - 17:30
8 December 2021
Section 25
11 pages
5 documents


Expol's investigation into Abbotswood *REDACTED*

Summary: The requester sought the full Expol investigation report regarding a 2020 Covid outbreak at Abbotswood, but the Department of Health and Social Care failed to respond within statutory timeframes and applied exemptions incorrectly.

The Information Commissioner upheld the complaint partially, finding the authority failed to respond within required timescales.

The authority did not provide the requested information and incorrectly applied exemptions without clear explanation.

The review noted the request displayed characteristics of private interest, suggesting a Data Subject Access route might have been more appropriate.

The authority conducted a reasonable search and located the documents promptly.

The authority failed to offer appropriate advice and assistance, with minimal contact made during the process.

Data protection (implied via suggestion of Data Subject Access route)


Outstanding fines

Summary: A request was made to the General Registry for the total amount of outstanding unpaid criminal court fines as of March 18, 2024. The authority responded by disclosing the full figure of £7,118,363.44.

The request was received on 18 March 2024.

The total outstanding unpaid criminal court fines were £7,118,363.44.

The information was provided by the General Registry of the Isle of Man Courts of Justice.

No information was withheld or exempted in this response.


CoMIN committees, sub-committees and boards minutes

Summary: The requester asked for meeting dates and minutes since inception for three CoMIN committees: Justice, Legislative, and Operational Performance Board. The Cabinet Office responded with a partial disclosure, providing some information while withholding parts due to exemptions and the volume of records requiring consultation.

The request was received on 2024-03-20 and the final outcome was issued on 2024-08-01.

The response included 265 pages across 5 documents.

The authority requested clarification on specific dates before processing the request.

Processing was delayed multiple times due to the need to consult affected parties and the high volume of information.

The outcome was classified as 'Some information sent but part exempt'.

Qualified exemption applied requiring consultation with those who may be affected by disclosure


The wreck of the "Boy Ken".

Summary: The request sought confirmation of rumors regarding the award of a contract to JCK Limited for the disposal of the wrecked vessel 'Boy Ken' and details on cost recovery from the owner. The Department of Infrastructure released tender documentation outlining the evaluation criteria and process but withheld specific information on the awarded contractor and cost recovery status under commercial confidence exemptions.

The vessel 'Boy Ken' was arrested on 31 August 2023 under Section 22 of the Harbours Act 2010.

The disposal contract was to be awarded using the Isle of Man Government's tender process.

Tender evaluation criteria weighted price at 60% and quality at 40%.

Site visits were a mandatory requirement for tenderers prior to submission.

The response included a 'Quick Quote' document dated December 2023 marked 'Commercial in Confidence'.

31 August 2023
25 October
16 October 2023
2024-03-20
2024-05-24
December 2023
60%
40%
Section 22
Section 25
Reference: 2408
28 pages
3 documents


Police + security costs for Royal visit

Summary: The Isle of Man Constabulary responded to a request for policing and security costs regarding Queen Camilla's visit on 20 March 2024, disclosing a total of £101,463.13 while noting that two outstanding invoices were not yet included.

The total disclosed cost for policing and security was £101,463.13.

Some information was withheld because the authority is awaiting two outstanding invoices.

The largest single expense category was mutual aid from other police forces, totaling over £57,000.

Visiting officers' travel and accommodation costs exceeded £24,000.

Police overtime in March 2024 accounted for £13,156.00 of the staffing costs.


legal aid contrary interest exception

Summary: The requester asked for statistics and documents regarding the 'contrary interest exception' for disregarding partner resources in Legal Aid applications for financial years 2021/22 to 2023/24. The Treasury responded that the information is not held because this exemption is not currently part of the Legal Aid assessment process and has never been discussed or applied.

The Treasury does not hold the requested information regarding the contrary interest exemption.

The contrary interest exemption is not currently part of the Legal Aid application or appeal process.

There have been zero successful or unsuccessful requests to disregard partner resources under this exemption.

No meeting agendas, minutes, or correspondence exist regarding the inclusion of this exemption in the process.

The request was refused under section 11(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.


Relocation benefits awarded

Summary: The requester asked for 10-year spending data on various relocation and recruitment benefits for the Department of Education, Sport and Culture. The authority responded that it does not hold information prior to the 2014-2017 period and could not provide specific figures for interview travel costs, limiting the response to the 2017-2024 fiscal years.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture does not hold information regarding relocation benefits prior to the 2014-2017 period.

The provided response covers fiscal years from 2017-2018 to 2023-2024.

Specific data on costs for facilitating travel to interviews could not be found after reasonable steps.

The authority referred the general relocation spending question to the response regarding moving costs and relocation packages.

The request was received on 27 March 2024 and the outcome was issued on 24 April 2024.

Information cannot be found after taking reasonable steps


Reports relating to Housing Deficiency Payments

Summary: A request was made for reports and documents regarding the Housing Deficiency Payment system, resulting in the disclosure of some information while parts were withheld under specific exemptions.

The Treasury responded to the request on 2024-06-25 with an outcome of 'Some information sent but part exempt'.

The response included 86 pages across 2 documents detailing housing deficiency calculations.

Data covers multiple housing authorities including Braddan, Douglas, Peel, Ramsey, and Rushen.

Calculations involve rent values, void allowances, maintenance allowances, and reserve adjustments.

The total expected expense for the 2023/24 period is listed as 6,441,023.


Correspondence and Notes relating to Housing Deficiency Payments

Summary: The requester sought correspondence and notes regarding Housing Deficiency Payments between February and March 2024, resulting in a partial disclosure where some documents were released while others were withheld due to exemptions.

The request was made to the Department of Infrastructure on 27 March 2024.

The response was issued on 18 July 2024 with an outcome of 'Some information sent but part exempt'.

The requester clarified interest in any meeting minutes containing discussions on housing deficiency payments, even if not the primary topic.

Personal data was withheld under Section 25 as it was deemed absolutely exempt.

Information relating to government policy formulation was withheld under Sections 34 and 35 after a public interest test.

Section 25(b)(i)&(ii) - Absolutely exempt personal information

Section 34(a) - Formulation of Government policy

Section 35(c) - Prejudice to the effective conduct of public business


Clinical Advisory Group minutes

Summary: The requester asked for Clinical Advisory Group (CAG) minutes, membership details, and specific information regarding discussions on COVID vaccine injuries. The authority, Manx Care, disclosed all requested information, providing 96 documents totaling 402 pages, including agendas and a detailed NHS plan on Long COVID.

Manx Care released all requested information regarding the Clinical Advisory Group.

The disclosure included 96 documents spanning 402 pages.

Meeting agendas from 2021 and 2022 cover topics such as Long COVID, vaccine allergies, and dementia prevalence.

A specific document titled 'Long COVID: the NHS plan for 2021/22' was included in the response.

The group discusses clinical pathways and capacity bills, reporting to various departments.

402 pages
96 documents
2024-04-01
2025-01-15
12 August 2021
23 June 2021
30th March 2022
89 clinics
1500 referrals
1.5 million visits
50 million
2019
2050


First Time Buyers Scheme

Summary: A requester asked the Department of Infrastructure for statistics and financial details regarding the First Time Buyers Scheme, specifically focusing on equity buyouts, interest payments, and the allocation of surplus income since 2018. The authority confirmed that all requested information was sent to the applicant on May 9, 2024.

The request was received by the Department of Infrastructure on April 4, 2024.

The outcome of the request was 'All information sent'.

The request covered data from the 2017/18 financial year to the present.

The response consisted of 4 pages across 1 document.


IBD population

Summary: A request was made to Manx Care for the number of patients with specific Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) codes at each GP surgery to aid service development. The authority responded that the information is not held and cannot be found after reasonable steps.

The request sought patient counts for various IBD conditions including Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis across Isle of Man GP surgeries.

Manx Care determined they do not hold the requested data or could not find it after taking reasonable steps.

The requester was advised to contact individual GP practices as they may hold the information.

The response cites section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 as the reason for refusal.

The request was received on 9 April 2024 and the outcome was issued on 23 May 2024.


Lexis Nexis

Summary: The requester sought details on a Lexis Nexis contract and reasons for alleged missing judgments; the General Registry disclosed a redacted 2017 contract while denying the existence of legislation services or reports on missing judgments.

A contractual agreement exists between The Treasury and Relx (UK) Limited trading as Lexis Nexis dated 21 December 2017 for the production of Manx Law Reports.

The General Registry is not aware of any 'Lexis Nexis legislation services' and does not engage Lexis Nexis for them.

No policy, procedure, filenote, or report exists explaining a lack of uploaded judgments, and the authority asserts judgment publication numbers are consistent or increased.

Personal data and commercial information regarding costs, charges, and volume numbers were redacted from the released contract.

The authority cited upcoming procurement processes as a reason to withhold specific financial details to ensure competitive tendering.

21 December 2017
9 April 2024
17 June 2024
2011
3787922
section 13
section 39
section 30

Section 39 (Personal data)
Section 30 (Commercial interests)


Benefit in Kind - Company Vehicles

Summary: The request sought internal Treasury communications regarding the Income Tax (Benefits In Kind) (Car and Fuel) Order 2024, specifically asking for tax impact analysis and alternative proposals. The response disclosed a document reviewing four options for calculating vehicle benefits, including inflation adjustments and CO2-based systems, but noted a lack of data to estimate additional tax revenue for commercial vehicles.

The Treasury reviewed four options for calculating Benefit in Kind charges for cars, ranging from inflation-adjusted cylinder capacity rates to UK-style CO2 emission percentages.

Option 1 and Option 2 proposed increasing current scale rates by 50% to align with inflation since 2009/2010.

Option 3 suggested a system based on list price multiplied by a percentage derived from CO2 emissions, similar to UK rules.

The Treasury stated it does not hold data to estimate the additional tax due from charging commercial vehicles, relying instead on anecdotal evidence of significant private use.

Electric vehicles were identified as a challenge under cylinder capacity systems due to the lack of CC values, requiring alternative calculation methods like battery power or market value bands.


Taxa Genomics

Summary: A request was made for payment details and work descriptions for Taxa Genomics between 2020 and 2024, but Manx Care responded that the information is not held.

Manx Care does not hold the requested information regarding payments to Taxa Genomics.

Manx Care was established on 1st April 2021.

Information regarding commercial activities prior to April 2021 is held by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

The request was refused under section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.


Complaint against Ms Moreblessing Pedhuru

Summary: The applicant requested copies of correspondence and answers to questions regarding a complaint against Ms Moreblessing Pedhuru and legal advice from the Attorney General. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed limited information regarding postal procedures and signage evaluations but withheld legal advice due to privilege and refused to generate new information or answer repeated questions.

The request was received on 2024-04-16 and the response was issued on 2024-05-20.

The Department stated it has no obligation to generate information for several questions.

Legal advice from the Attorney General was withheld under Section 40 (Legal professional privilege).

Some questions were rejected as substantially similar to a previous FOI request (case 3785533).

The evaluation of signage at Pulrose Bridge and Old Laxey Hill was conducted via visual inspections.

2024-04-16
2024-05-20
11th April 2024
15.07
3800037
3785533
25th April 2024
two days
Section 8. (3) a)
Section 10. (1)
Section 40
Section 11
Road Traffic Regulations Act 1985
Road Traffic Regulations Act 2015
IM1 2RF
(01624) 686785

Section 8. (3) a) - No obligation to generate information

Section 10. (1) - No obligation to generate information

Section 40 - Legal professional privilege


Scrap and abandoned boats

Summary: The request sought costs for scrapping the Venture and Boy Ken vessels, pollution charges, and plans for a derelict lifeboat. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that the Venture was disposed of privately and the lifeboat is scheduled for removal, but withheld Boy Ken scrapping costs citing commercial interests.

The vessel 'Venture Again' was disposed of privately by the registered owner, so the Department holds no information on its scrapping costs.

Costs for removing the vessel 'Boy Ken' are exempt from disclosure but will be passed on to the registered owner.

An investigation into pollution caused by the sinkings is currently in progress with the Environment Directorate of DEFA.

The former lifeboat 'Llas-Sah-D' has been identified as derelict and is scheduled for removal and dismantling from Peel Harbour.

The removal of the lifeboat is proceeding under Section 22 of the Harbours Act.

Section 30(2)(b) - Prejudice to commercial interests


Permit for TT firework display in Douglas Bay Marine Nature Reserve

Summary: The requester asked for permits regarding fireworks in the Douglas Bay Marine Nature Reserve for 2019, 2022, and 2023, along with confirmation on cleanup efforts and plastic-free policies. The authority responded by providing a new permit for June 2024 which mandates the use of biodegradable materials and requires the site to be returned to its pre-activity state, though it did not explicitly provide the historical permits for the requested years.

Douglas Bay was designated as a Marine Nature Reserve on 1st September 2018.

Byelaw 5 prohibits depositing substances in the reserve without a permit issued under Byelaw 14.

The provided permit (WLA/MNRP 04/24) requires fireworks to be composed of biodegradable materials with no plastic components.

Permit holders must return the Douglas Bay MNR to its pre-activity state following the display.

Fireworks discharge is restricted to offshore locations from a floating platform.

1st September 2018
2019
2022
2023
7th May 2024
9th May 2024
7th June 2024
9th June 2024
£10,000
Permit No. WLA/MNRP 04/24
Byelaw 5
Byelaw 14


Cardiac issues

Summary: A request was made to Manx Care for statistics on cardiac arrests and atrial fibrillation admissions between 2015 and 2024, including causes and age breakdowns. The authority disclosed that all requested information was provided, detailing specific admission counts and referring to an annex for granular data on causes and demographics.

Data covers patient admissions from 01 Jan 2015 to 30 April 2024, excluding private patients and archived episodes.

There were 139 patient spells referencing cardiac arrest with successful resuscitation (ICD10 I460).

1,275 patient spells had atrial fibrillation as the primary diagnosis.

10,644 patient spells had atrial fibrillation listed as a secondary diagnosis.

Detailed breakdowns of causes and age groups are contained in Annex 1 of the response.


Covid stats

Summary: The requester asked Manx Care for details on COVID-19 statistical criteria, symptomatic patient counts, and pathogen category downgrades. Manx Care confirmed statistics were based on PCR/TMA tests only, stated they do not hold data on symptomatic classifications or untested hospital cases, and clarified that SARS-CoV-2 was never downgraded to Category 2.

Public Health received positive COVID test numbers from Microbiology and Immunology for PCR and TMA only.

No information was held or logged regarding Lateral Flow Test (LFT) results.

The authority does not hold data on how many patients were classed as symptomatic or how many hospital cases were diagnosed without a test.

SARS-CoV-2 was never downgraded from Category 3 to Category 2 by the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens.

Respiratory samples were manipulated for testing in a Category 3 Laboratory based on a risk-based approach.

Section 11(3)a of the Act (practical refusal reason: information not held or cannot be found after reasonable steps)


Age of deaths

Summary: The requester asked for annual age brackets and average ages of death in the Isle of Man from 2015 to 2023. The Cabinet Office provided the average age of death for 2015-2022 but stated they do not hold the data for 2023 or the specific age brackets requested.

The request covered death statistics for the years 2015 through 2023.

The Cabinet Office does not hold the average age of death for 2023.

The Cabinet Office does not hold the specific age bracket data requested.

Average age of death data was provided for the years 2015 to 2022.

The outcome was classified as 'Some information sent but part exempt' due to lack of held information.


Fire and Rescue Service callout charges

Summary: The requester asked for statistics on charges issued and paid for emergency fire callouts over the last five years, but the Department of Home Affairs responded that the information is not held because emergency callouts are not charged.

The Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service does not charge for callouts deemed to be emergencies.

Charges are applied to false alarms or fake/prank calls.

The fee for false alarms was £375 per call until 1st May 2023.

The fee for false alarms increased to £395 per call (plus VAT) from 1st May 2023.

The authority could not find the specific historical data requested regarding emergency callout charges.


Smart meters

Summary: The request sought clarification on the Isle of Man's smart meter rollout, including its link to government climate strategies, cost implications, and infrastructure details. The Manx Utilities Authority disclosed that the project supports the Island Plan's decarbonisation goals, clarified that no new sites were acquired due to De Minimis exemptions, and outlined future IIoT applications.

The smart meter rollout supports the Economic and Energy Strategy under the Island Plan to decarbonise services by 2030.

The goal is an overall reduction of 35% in the Island's greenhouse gas emissions.

No new sites were acquired for the infrastructure; existing telecommunications sites are being shared.

Permissions for the 16 sites were considered De Minimis, meaning no planning approval or associated costs were required.

The infrastructure will support Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices such as smart street lighting and water leakage detection.

Section 20 of the Act (Information reasonably accessible)


board minutes and website omissions

Summary: The requester asked for a list of Manx Care board and committee meetings and an explanation for missing minutes on the website, specifically citing the 26th July 2022 gap. Manx Care provided a partial list of meetings with attendee details and committee reports but did not address the specific explanation for website omissions or the whistleblower context.

Manx Care responded that some information was sent but not all held.

The response lists board meetings from April 2021 to November 2021, distinguishing between private and public sessions.

Public meeting minutes are noted as available on the website, while private meetings list specific directors present.

The response includes a list of committee reports (e.g., D&I, People, QSE) associated with specific board meetings.

The authority did not provide an explanation for the gaps in sequential board minutes on the website as requested.


Cinema booker

Summary: A request for fees paid to the Broadway Cinema film booker from 2020 to 2024 was initially refused under commercial interest exemptions but was fully upheld following an internal review, resulting in the disclosure of gross and net payment amounts.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture initially withheld the information citing Section 30 of the Act regarding commercial interests.

An internal review overturned the initial refusal, upholding the requester's complaint.

The final decision disclosed specific gross and net fees paid to the film booker for the years 2020 through 2024.

No public tender was conducted for retaining the booker because the sums involved were below the required thresholds.

The authority confirmed that an exemption has been granted for the arrangement.

Section 30 of the Act (Commercial interests)


Air Ambulance


Staff who live off Island

Summary: A request was made to Manx Care for detailed statistics and cost breakdowns regarding civil servants and direct employees living off the Isle of Man. The authority refused to disclose any information, stating they do not hold the requested data.

Manx Care received the FOI request on 2024-04-15.

The request sought data on off-island staff including contract types, attendance frequency, and costs.

Manx Care responded on 2024-10-03 stating they could not provide the information.

The refusal applies to both civil servants and directly employed staff.

The authority cited a practical refusal reason under section 11(3)a of the Act.

Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Practical refusal: information not held or cannot be found after reasonable steps)


Cancer diagnosis

Summary: A request was made to Manx Care for statistics on hospital admissions involving malignant cancer, history of cancer, and COVID-19 infections between 2015 and 2024, including age breakdowns. The authority disclosed that all requested information was sent, providing specific counts of patient spells and referencing supporting documentation for detailed yearly and age group data.

The data covers hospital admissions from 1 January 2015 to 30 April 2024.

There were 18,041 patient spells with a diagnosis of malignant cancer (ICD10 Chapter C).

3,234 of these spells involved patients with a previous history of cancer.

119 spells involved patients with a previous history of COVID-19 infection.

The figures exclude private patients and archived episodes.


Dvt

Summary: A request was made to Manx Care for annual statistics on DVT and thrombocytopenia cases, including age demographics, between 2015 and 2025. The authority responded by stating that all requested information had been sent and closed the case.

The request was submitted to Manx Care on 2024-04-15.

The request sought data on DVT and thrombocytopenia cases from 2015 to 2024/2025.

The request also asked for average and youngest ages per year for these conditions.

The outcome was recorded as 'All information sent' on 2024-05-02.

The response consisted of 3 pages across 1 document.


EV Charge Points

Summary: A request for detailed data on EV charge points installed by public bodies was partially fulfilled, with the authority disclosing total procurement costs, annual revenue, and maintenance records while citing data accessibility and technical limitations for withholding specific per-unit revenue and usage rankings.

Manx Utilities has spent £598,943.39 on the procurement of hardware and installations for EV charge points.

Total revenue from charge points increased from £22,573.64 in 2021-22 to £80,982.60 in 2023-24.

The most used charge point is located at the Sea Terminal, while the least used is at the Bungalow.

All maintenance and repairs listed were carried out under warranty at no cost to Manx Utilities.

Specific revenue and usage data for individual charge points could not be provided due to limitations in the third-party Podpoint database.

Section 11(3)a of the Act (Information not held or cannot be found after reasonable steps)


Poortown Road Signage

Summary: The requester sought correspondence with the Attorney General's Chambers and internal reports regarding the inspection and removal of signage on Poortown Road. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed some emails related to signage complaints but withheld legally privileged legal advice and specific inspection reports.

Legal advice from the Attorney General's Chambers was sought on 11 May 2023 and is considered legally privileged.

The Department cited public safety concerns regarding confusion caused by the signs erected on the requester's property.

Signage at Pulrose Bridge and Old Laxey Hill was inspected and found not to contravene the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1985.

The response included emails regarding disabled parking signs on Derby Road, which were reported as potentially unauthorized.

The outcome was classified as 'Some information sent but part exempt'.

11 May 2023
28 March 2024
25 January 2024
31 January 2024
Road Traffic Regulations Act 1985
Section 25 (1)(a)
3 disabled parking signs
17 pages
2 documents

Legal privilege regarding advice from the Attorney General's Chambers


Smart meters

Summary: A request was made for detailed cost breakdowns, ongoing service fees, and liability information regarding the Isle of Man's smart meter programme. The authority partially disclosed information but redacted specific financial details and vendor costs citing commercial and economic interest exemptions.

Manx Utilities is a Statutory Board of the Isle of Man Government managing water, wastewater, and electricity.

The smart meter replacement programme has a total value of £18.15M.

Trilliant supplies the radio frequency network, Holley Tech Ltd supplies the meters, and Hildebrand Tech Ltd designed the SmarterLiving App.

The Communications and Utilities Regulatory Authority issued the licence for the system in January 2019.

Specific costs for vendors and monthly spending details were withheld to protect commercial interests.

S30(1) & (2) - Economy and commercial interest

S30(1) – Economic and financial interest


Annual defence contribution to the UK

Summary: The request sought details on the Isle of Man's annual defence contribution to the UK, including funding sources, payment history, and a list of services covered. The authority disclosed specific payment amounts from 2021 to 2024 and attached the 1994 Contribution Agreement, but stated it does not hold a breakdown of specific services or how the funds are spent on the Island.

The Isle of Man pays an annual contribution to the UK under the Contribution Agreement 1994.

The payment is made in recognition of Defence and other common services provided by the UK Government.

The Cabinet Office does not hold a specific list of services covered by the payment.

The authority confirmed that no part of the annual payment is spent on the Island itself.

Requesters were advised to contact The Treasury for further information regarding service breakdowns.


Antibiotic Resistance within the Isle of Man

Summary: A researcher requested data on antibiotic resistance rates within the Isle of Man general public for a dissertation. Manx Care responded by sending all requested information, noting that patient counts across different years may overlap.

The request was made on 2024-04-16 regarding antibiotic resistance in the general public.

Manx Care confirmed that all information was sent on 2024-05-02.

The response included two tables of data where patient totals may not sum correctly due to repeat admissions across years.

The requester was advised to quote reference number 3805550 for future communications.

The response outlined the right to an internal review and subsequent appeal to the Information Commissioner.


Villa Marina operation

Summary: A request was made for detailed profit and loss accounts for Villa Marina and the Gaiety Theatre covering the years 2019 to 2023. The Department of Education, Sport and Culture disclosed all requested information, providing financial breakdowns for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021.

The request covered financial data for Villa Marina and the Gaiety Theatre for the years 2019 through 2023.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture responded with all information sent.

The response includes detailed cost centre breakdowns for Finance, Building Infrastructure, Programming, and Operations.

Financial data provided covers the years ending March 2019, 2020, and 2021.

The response documents contain 7 pages across 2 documents.


Cost of medicines

Summary: The requester asked for the total cost of medicines, appliances, and medical devices purchased by Manx Care in 2023 and 2018. Manx Care provided the 2023/24 financial year figure but refused the 2018 request because the organization did not exist at that time.

The total cost of medicines, appliances, and medical devices for the 2023/24 financial year was £38,801,971.

Capital equipment purchase costs are held by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), not Manx Care.

Manx Care was established in April 2021, meaning it holds no data for the year 2018.

The request for 2018 data was refused under section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 as a practical refusal.

The requester was advised to contact the DHSC for historical data prior to April 2021.

Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Practical refusal: information not held)


Live farm animal exports

No information sent - all held but exempt

Summary: A request for data on live farm animal exports, veterinary costs, and government subsidies for the IOM Meat Plant was made to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. The authority refused to disclose the information, citing that monetary values are held by private farmers, questions regarding necessity and food security seek opinions rather than recorded data, and the response was cut off before addressing cost-related queries.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture stated it does not hold the approximate monetary value of exported cattle and sheep as this is held by individual farmers.

Questions regarding the necessity of exports and threats to food security were refused because they seek opinions rather than recorded information.

The authority cited Section 9(5)(a)(iii) and Section 9(5)(b)(ii) of the Freedom of Information Act regarding the requirement for adequate descriptions of information.

The response indicated a potential refusal under Section 11(3)(c) of the Act for requests that do not comply with Section 9.

The provided text cuts off before the authority addresses the costs of veterinary inspections, certification, or government grants.

Information not held by the public authority (held by individual farmers)

Request seeks opinion rather than recorded information

Section 9(5)(a)(iii) of the Freedom of Information Act (adequate description)

Section 9(5)(b)(ii) of the Freedom of Information Act (capable of subsequent reference)

Section 11(3)(c) of the Freedom of Information Act (practical refusal reason)


Dyslexia

Summary: The requester asked for data on dyslexia training for teachers, diagnosis rates, funding, and literacy outcomes in Isle of Man primary schools between November 2019 and May 2024. The Department of Education disclosed limited statistics on teacher training but refused to provide diagnosis numbers citing a practical refusal under the Freedom of Information Act.

Only 6 teachers across 3 schools received formal dyslexia training between November 2019 and April 2024.

18 schools reported no formal dyslexia training for teachers within the past 5 years.

9 schools provided no information or did not respond regarding teacher training.

The Department does not hold data on the number of children formally diagnosed with dyslexia.

Schools do not diagnose dyslexia; teachers are tasked with assessing literacy needs instead.

Freedom of Information Act 2015 section 11(2)(b)

Freedom of Information Act 2015 section 11(3)(a)


Removal of signs

Summary: The requester asked for correspondence regarding the removal of signs from their garden wall by Parish Wardens. The Department of Infrastructure released some internal emails and hard copy documents but withheld personal data under an absolute exemption.

The request was received on 2024-04-23 and responded to on 2024-06-27.

The incident concerns the removal of signs from a property on Poortown Road, Peel.

The Department provided Appendix 1 containing internal emails and hard copy correspondence.

Part of the request was withheld because it constituted the requester's own personal data.

The Department offered to process the withheld information as a Subject Access Request (SAR) under GDPR.

Section 25(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Personal Data)


Removal of signs - E-mail Correspondence with XXRedacted NameXX

Summary: The requester sought documentation regarding the removal of disabled bay signs by Department of Infrastructure staff, including job descriptions and authorizations, following a dispute over the signs' storage and return. The Department responded that some information was sent but part of the request was exempt, citing a formal complaint that halted direct communication.

Parish Wardens removed the disabled bay signs and stored them at the Ellerslie Depot.

The requester questioned the authorization and job descriptions of the staff who removed the signs.

A formal complaint was submitted by the requester, leading the staff member to cease direct communication.

The Department of Infrastructure issued a partial exemption response on 21 June 2024.

The signs were not returned to the requester's rear porch due to theft concerns.

Part exempt due to formal complaint halting communication


vehicle tax and licensing

Summary: A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for clarification on vehicle registration fees, the purpose of vehicle tax, and refund policies under Isle of Man law. The authority confirmed that all requested information was sent, addressing the £15 registration fee, the destination of revenue, and the specific legal conditions required for tax refunds.

Vehicle registration or change of ownership incurs a £15 fee.

Vehicle tax (duty) is calculated based on carbon emissions and engine size.

Refunds for vehicle tax are only available if the vehicle is exported, scrapped, or written off.

No refunds are provided for vehicles temporarily taken off the road or parked on private driveways.

The 1985 Act allows for rebates only if specific prescribed requirements are met upon surrendering the licence.

2015 Licensing and Registration of Vehicles Regulations


iniquitous legal opinions issue

Summary: The requester asked for information regarding tribunal arrangements to review alleged unlawful legal opinions from the Attorney General's Chambers. The General Registry refused the request, stating they do not hold the information and lack access to privileged legal advice.

The General Registry confirmed no 'policy and procedure' exists for the requested review of legal opinions.

The authority stated it does not have access to legal opinions from His Majesty's Attorney General's Chambers.

Access to such opinions is restricted because they are likely subject to legal professional privilege.

The General Registry is not responsible for reviewing or commenting on legal advice given to any person.

The request was refused under section 11(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015

Section 11(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information not held)


illegally operated online legal aid calculator

Summary: A request was made for internal documents and user statistics regarding the Isle of Man's online legal aid calculator, alleging it caused miscarriages of justice. The Treasury responded with partial information, providing daily pageview statistics for early 2023 and Google Analytics data for early 2024, while withholding the requested internal legislative analysis and correspondence.

The request was received on 2024-04-23 and amended on 2024-06-18.

The outcome was determined on 2024-07-08 as 'Some information sent but part exempt'.

The response included 18 pages across 3 documents.

Daily pageview data for the calculator was provided for January through July 2023.

Google Analytics data covering January to June 2024 was included in the response.

1,750 total pageviews for /civil-legal-aid-calculator


political asylum claims due to Isle of Man Government corruption

Summary: The requester asked for statistics on political asylum claims by Isle of Man residents against the government due to corruption for 2021-2023, but the Cabinet Office responded that no such information is held because asylum claims cannot be made within the Isle of Man.

The Cabinet Office does not hold information on political asylum claims by Isle of Man residents against the government.

Asylum claims by Isle of Man residents must be made in another country, not within the Isle of Man.

The authority noted the request contained unfounded accusations of government corruption.

The request was considered potentially vexatious under section 11(3)(d) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015, but a practical refusal was not applied.

The requester had been previously warned on 13 February 2023 regarding the inclusion of unfounded accusations in requests.

Section 11(3)(d) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (considered but not applied)


Road

Summary: The request sought correspondence and meeting records regarding access to the Braddan Roundhouse via the Nobles Hospital site between October 2021 and the request date. The response was partially upheld, disclosing letters and emails confirming Manx Care's opposition to permanent access due to traffic risks, particularly during TT periods.

Manx Care maintains that access to the Braddan Roundhouse via the Nobles Hospital site should not be permitted due to unmitigable traffic risks.

Concerns were raised that traffic volumes could significantly impact hospital access during TT (Tourist Trophy) periods.

Proposed mitigations are deemed sufficient only for partial, short-term operation of the Roundhouse.

Manx Care requires assurances from Braddan Commissioners that a permanent access road will be constructed before full operation.

The Department of Health and Social Care is considering transferring land to Braddan at nil or nominal cost, subject to Treasury approval.

1 October 2021
28 February 2024
27 February 2024
15 December 2023
31 January 2024
09 February 2024
119 pages
5 documents
nil / nominal cost


Roads

Summary: The requester sought correspondence, meeting minutes, and telephone recordings regarding the 'Roundhouse' roadway between the Department of Infrastructure, Manx Care, and DHSC from October 2021 to April 2024. The Department of Infrastructure responded with the Highways Act 1986, and the request was ultimately not upheld.

The request was made on 2024-04-24 and the outcome was determined on 2024-10-11.

The request covered communications and meetings regarding the roadway to/from the 'Roundhouse'.

The response included the text of the Highways Act 1986 rather than the specific correspondence requested.

The case involved the Department of Infrastructure, Manx Care, and the Department of Health and Social Care.

The final outcome of the request was 'Not upheld'.


Number of shoplifting offences recorded in 2021 up until April 2024

Summary: The Isle of Man Constabulary responded to a request for shoplifting offence statistics from 2021 to April 2024 by providing recorded crime data for theft from shops across five crime years. The authority disclosed that the data covers full crime years from 2020-2021 to 2023-2024, with a partial figure for 2024-2025.

The request was received on 25 April 2024 and the response was issued on 20 May 2024.

Data is presented by crime year (1st April to 31st March) rather than calendar year.

The 2024-2025 figure only includes investigations recorded up to 09 May 2024 and is not a comparable full crime year.

The highest number of recorded thefts from shops occurred in the 2022-2023 crime year.

The authority confirmed that all requested information was sent.


Employment Agencies List and Enforcement

Summary: The request sought a list of registered employment agencies and details of enforcement actions over the last five years. The Department for Enterprise disclosed a list of 24 licensed agencies and provided summaries of six specific enforcement cases or investigations.

24 employment agencies and businesses were licensed as of 29 April 2024.

Six enforcement actions or investigations were recorded in the five years leading up to April 2024.

One case from June 2020 was dropped due to a lack of evidence.

A complaint in December 2023 revealed the entity in question did not require a license.

Several cases from 2023 and 2024 remain pending or under investigation.


Contract to ACUE regarding TT Races

Summary: The request sought details on the research justifying a non-competitive contract with ACUE for the TT Races and the associated yearly costs. The Department for Enterprise disclosed that ACUE is the only qualified organizer due to licensing and experience, and revealed the 2024 contract value and specific payment to ACUE.

The rights to the TT Races are owned by the Auto Cycle Union (ACU), not the Isle of Man Government.

The Department holds a license from the ACU permitting them to run the races until 2033.

ACUE was appointed as the race organizer in 2008 and is considered the only organization with the required experience and resilience.

An exemption from the standard tender process was granted by the Treasury Board due to the unique nature of the service provider.

The 2024 agreement includes services such as marshalling, medical helicopter provision, and course setup.


Children in Secure Accommodation.

Summary: A request was made to Manx Care for annual statistics on children held in Cronk Sollysh secure accommodation from 2014 to 2024, covering remand, sentencing, police requests, and looked-after status. The authority provided partial data for total children, repeat admissions, and looked-after children, but refused the request regarding police custody for court attendance due to lack of records.

Manx Care responded to the FOI request on 2024-05-22 regarding children in secure accommodation at Cronk Sollysh.

Information was withheld for the number of children held at the request of the Isle of Man Constabulary for court attendance.

The total number of children aged 17 and under held in Cronk Sollysh from 2014 to 2024 is 52.

The highest number of children held in a single year was 14 in 2020.

Manx Care suggested contacting the Department of Home Affairs for information not held by them.

Section 11(3)a of the Act (practical refusal reason: information not held or cannot be found after reasonable steps)


Successful early retirement claims for illnesses such as M. E. or CFS

Summary: A request was made for the number of Isle of Man government employees who successfully claimed early retirement due to M.E. or CFS before age 50. The Public Sector Pensions Authority responded that they do not hold this specific information.

The request asked for statistics on early retirement claims for M.E. or CFS for employees under 50.

The authority stated the information is not held.

Early retirement determinations are based on capacity for gainful employment and medical adviser advice.

The request was received on 2024-04-30 and closed on 2024-05-09.


Cars seized without tax in a public area

Summary: The requester asked for data on vehicles seized by the Department of Infrastructure for lacking tax in 2024. The authority disclosed that 60 vehicles were seized for being untaxed for over 30 days and 354 tickets were issued for the same offence between January and May 2024.

60 vehicles were seized for vehicle licence not in force by over 30 days in the requested timeframe.

The Department of Infrastructure does not issue fixed penalty notices for 'no tax displayed'.

The enforced offence is classified as Offence 11.1 for vehicle licence not in force.

354 tickets were issued for this offence from 1st January 2024 to 21st May 2024.

All requested information was provided in the response.

60 vehicles
30 days
354 tickets
1st January 2024
21st May 2024
Offence 11.1
3833182


DFE19022024

Summary: The requester sought the final analysis from a tender comparing high street business costs between the UK and the Isle of Man. The Department for Enterprise disclosed that the work has not been completed because two previous procurement attempts failed to receive suitable submissions.

The Department for Enterprise does not hold the requested final analysis.

Two separate procurements were carried out to find a partner for the work.

Neither procurement received a suitable submission.

The Business Agency plans to approach the project again in line with the Local Economy Strategy.


Covid Vaccine Contracts

Summary: A request for copies of Covid vaccine contracts procured for the Isle of Man was denied by the Department of Health and Social Care because they do not hold the information. The authority indicated that the contracts are likely held by Manx Care following a 2021 restructuring that separated policy from service delivery.

The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the requested Covid vaccine contracts.

The information is likely held by Manx Care due to the separation of policy and service delivery.

The Department was redesigned on 1 April 2021 following Sir Jonathan Michael's Independent Review.

The request was formally closed on 28 May 2024.

Applicants have the right to request an internal review or appeal to the Information Commissioner.

Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information not held)


Printing and Signage.

Summary: The requester asked for a breakdown of Department of Infrastructure spending on printing and signage with six specific companies over the last three years. The authority disclosed the total amounts spent with each company, revealing significant expenditure with Signrite and Words and Spaces, while Cannell Print had zero spending.

The request was received on 2024-05-01 and responded to on 2024-05-20.

Signrite received the highest expenditure at £137,402.35.

Words and Spaces received £115,258.44 in spending.

Cannell Print had no recorded spending (£0) during the period.

The total disclosed spending covers six specific vendors over a three-year period.


Nursing Agencies registered with Registrations and Inspections

Summary: The request sought details on registered nursing agencies, investigation procedures for fee-paying nurses, and enforcement actions against unregistered agencies. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed two registered agencies, provided the enforcement policy document, and confirmed no enforcement actions have been taken in the last five years.

There are currently two nursing agencies registered under the Regulation of Care Act 2013.

The registered agencies are Platinum Recruitment Ltd and Top Care Nursing Agency.

There are no pending applications for nursing agency registration.

No enforcement actions have been taken against unregistered nursing agencies in the last five years.

Questions regarding nurses paying fees to agencies were deemed outside the remit of the Registration and Inspections team.


External Review into Day Services undertaken by Jan Lawry

Summary: The requester asked for the 2023 external review of day services for adults with learning disabilities and the resulting actions, which Manx Care fully disclosed by providing the report and a summary table of findings and progress.

The external review was conducted by Jan Lawry between May and July 2023.

Manx Care is designing a strengths-based care model to promote positive risk-taking and independence.

A transitions working group has been established to coordinate future day service requirements across multiple departments.

Supported employment initiatives are adopting European practice frameworks and linking with the Disability Employment Service.

Manx Care is considering commissioning third-sector partners to deliver community-based activities and social enterprises.


Free press: DEFA payments for media coverage

Summary: The request sought details of DEFA payments for sponsored newspaper articles over five financial years to ensure press scrutiny. The authority disclosed that no payments were made in 2019-2020, but provided specific amounts and article titles for the IOM Examiner and IOM Courier for the subsequent four years.

DEFA made no payments for sponsored articles in the 2019-2020 financial year.

The IOM Examiner received £5,500 annually for 'Food and Farming' articles from 2020-2021 through 2023-2024.

The IOM Courier received £5,000 in 2022-2023 for energy efficiency campaigns and £1,895 in 2023-2024 for net zero and wildlife features.

Sponsored content included both printed articles and digital campaigns on IOM Today and Gef.im.

The request was fully satisfied with all information sent on 28 May 2024.


QE2 school changes

Summary: A request was made for email communications between QE2 School and Bus Vannin regarding September 2023 timetable changes, but the Department of Infrastructure responded that the information is not held.

The Department of Infrastructure does not hold the requested email communications.

The request covered emails between 1st March 2023 and 4th September 2023.

The subject matter concerned Bus Vannin's ability to facilitate school timetable changes.

Applicants were advised to contact DOESchoolEnquiries@gov.im for potential assistance.

The request was formally closed on 16 May 2024.


2024-25 Support for Sport programme

Summary: The Department of Education, Sport and Culture responded to a request for 2024-25 Support for Sport funding allocations and membership numbers by providing a complete list of 29 sports with their respective financial grants and registered member counts.

The request was received on 2024-05-07 and fully answered on 2024-05-14.

Football received the highest number of registered members at 3,903, while Crown Green Bowls had 1,360 members.

Equestrian received the highest funding allocation at £9,900, followed by Athletics at £9,000.

Membership data provided is based on 2023 figures.

A total of 29 distinct sports or organizations received funding allocations for the 2024-25 financial year.


asbestos retained in Old Nurses Home project

Summary: A request was made for reports and risk assessments regarding asbestos removal and retention in the Old Nurses Home project, to which the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed the timeline of awareness but withheld specific risk assessment documents citing commercial sensitivity.

The Department was first made aware of asbestos in the building via a Ferncroft survey conducted between October and December 2021.

The Department was first made aware of the specific removal of asbestos by the MDC on 29 April 2022.

The asbestos report was submitted as part of a demolition application to Planning and Building Control.

The requestor complained that retaining asbestos in a future residential building was reckless and should not be withheld under commercial sensitivity.

The final outcome of the complaint was a Decision Notice stating the complaint was not upheld.


NSC non-transferable non-refundable bookings policy

Summary: The requester sought the start date, meeting records, and no-show statistics for the National Sports Centre's non-transferable, non-refundable booking policy. The Department of Education, Sport and Culture disclosed the current policy document but stated that historical meeting records and specific no-show statistics are not held due to the policy's age and system limitations.

The NSC Book and Pay Policy has been in place for approximately 15 years.

Meeting notes and agendas regarding the policy introduction are not held on file.

Statistics on transferred or refunded bookings that prompted the policy are not retained.

The NSC does not record no-show statistics for badminton bookings because customers are not required to scan their MSR Scorecard upon entry.

The current software package cannot generate reports on unbooked badminton availability.

Information not held or cannot be found after taking reasonable steps

Records not held in line with the Department's retention schedule


Wind speed tolerances

Summary: The requester asked for specific wind speed tolerance data (cut-in, cut-out, survival speeds) for proposed turbines at Earystane & Scard, but the Manx Utilities Authority responded that the information is not held because no final decision on the turbine make or model has been made.

The Manx Utilities Authority does not hold the requested wind speed data as there is no standard measure applicable without a specific turbine model.

No final decision has been made regarding the size, make, or model of the turbines for the Earystane & Scard sites.

Wind turbines at the site will not operate during very low or very high wind speeds to protect assets and avoid degradation.

The Environmental Impact Assessment process includes gathering accurate wind speed data to ensure turbine design withstands extreme conditions.

The authority directed the requester to a Tynwald House of Keys recording from 30 April 2024 for further context on turbine types.


Estimated project costs Windfarm

Summary: The requester asked for a breakdown explaining the cost increase of the Isle of Man windfarm project from £23.5m to £36m. The Manx Utilities Authority responded by providing a cost breakdown and explaining that the increase is due to updated turbine design ranges and the inclusion of contingency margins.

The original decision-making document quoted a cost of £23.5m based on a specific 21MW turbine design.

The current working assumption for the project cost is £36m, which includes contingency margins.

The cost increase is attributed to additional surveys expanding the turbine design range to 20MW–28MW.

Exact costs cannot be confirmed until a specific turbine manufacturer is appointed.

Some information was redacted from the response as it contained commercial references or was out of scope.

Out of scope for the purpose of the request


income from printed copies of claims and judgments

Summary: The requester asked for income statistics regarding printed and digital copies of claims and judgments, as well as policies on publishing judgments. The General Registry responded that it does not hold the specific financial data requested and confirmed that no formal policy documents exist regarding the open justice principle or publication percentages.

The authority does not hold information on total public counter till transactions or income for printed and digital copies of claims and judgments.

No policy documents, meeting agendas, or minutes exist regarding the open justice legal principle or the scope of judgments uploaded to www.judgments.im.

There is no legislative requirement to publish judgments, and publication depends on factors such as setting a legal precedent.

Family cases have specific safeguards to prevent party identification, affecting publication decisions.

The General Registry 2023 Annual Report contains data on the number of judgments uploaded annually from 2020 onwards.


Query regarding Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

Summary: A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs for annual user statistics of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre since its opening. The authority responded that it does not hold this information and suggested contacting Manx Care instead.

The Department of Home Affairs does not hold the requested information regarding SAR Centre user numbers.

The request was received on 2024-05-08 and the outcome was issued on 2024-06-04.

Applicants are advised to contact Manx Care for the requested data.

The requester has the right to an internal review or appeal to the Information Commissioner.


Tree Branch Cutting Around Bray Hill Area

Summary: A request was made to understand the rationale behind the removal of foliage from trees on Port-E-Chee Ave and High View Rd in Bray Hill. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that the work was based on a tree survey following complaints and licensed advice to use pollarding for height restriction and tree longevity.

The trees are maintained by the Department of Infrastructure.

A tree survey was conducted following several complaints from the public.

The work was carried out under a licence issued by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

Pollarding was advised by contractors to restrict tree height and extend their lives.

Pollarding is described as common practice among UK local authorities.


Minutes of the Wildlife Committee Meetings

Summary: The request sought minutes and decisions from the Isle of Man Wildlife Committee regarding American XL Bully dogs from August 2022 onwards. The authority disclosed a specific consultation report and committee recommendation to ban the breed under the Wild Animals Act, though some information was redacted.

The Wildlife Committee recommended adding American XL Bullies to the Wild Animals Act Schedule as a short-term measure.

Committee members expressed concern that the Wild Animals Act is not ideal legislation for domestic dogs and called for more appropriate long-term laws.

Enforcement challenges were noted due to the lack of a dog licensing requirement to identify existing owners.

Public consultation included comments from Animals in Distress IoM regarding rehoming difficulties and the need for licensing rather than a total ban.

The committee agreed that while the ban is a necessary stop-gap, the root issue lies with irresponsible ownership across all breeds.

Wild Animals (Restriction on Importation etc.) Act 1980

Part exempt (specific redactions present in the document)


Pupil Behaviour Management and Allied Issues

Summary: The request sought detailed data on vandalism costs, staff feedback, and disciplinary actions under the Education Act 2001 for Isle of Man secondary schools, but the response primarily disclosed a 'Ready to Learn Refresh' policy document outlining behavioral expectations and mobile device rules.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture responded with a 'Ready to Learn Refresh' policy for the 2023-24 academic year.

The most disruptive classroom behaviors identified are not following instructions, mobile device use, lateness, and lack of equipment.

Mobile devices are prohibited during learning time, including travel between classrooms, unless used for specific learning tasks with permission.

Violations of mobile device policies result in escalating sanctions including ePraise logs, break reflections, and removal to a Recovery Room.

The outcome was classified as 'Some information sent but part exempt', indicating specific data on vandalism costs and Section 21 reports was withheld.


Recording of DHSC meeting with Braddan Commissioners

Summary: The requester sought a recording of a May 2024 meeting between the Department of Health and Social Care and Braddan Commissioners regarding access to the Nobles Hospital estate. The response disclosed the meeting's attendees, a detailed summary of the discussion on vehicular access and land sales, and the conflicting positions of both parties, though the recording itself was not provided.

The Department of Health and Social Care maintains that vehicular access via private roads on the Nobles Hospital estate to the Roundhouse is not acceptable due to public safety.

Braddan Commissioners argue that an implied acceptance of access via hospital estate roads has existed since 2005 and cite a 2016 assurance from the Minister.

The Department offered to sell land to Braddan Commissioners for £250 and provide a licence to start road construction before the land sale is finalized.

Manx Care conducted a risk assessment underpinning the decision to restrict access, which Braddan Commissioners dispute as being overly cautious.

The meeting concluded with the Minister stating there are no circumstances where access over the estate is allowed, while Commissioners sought a compromise to progress alternative access.


legal Aid Payments

Summary: A request was made to the Isle of Man Treasury for legal aid payment details regarding two specific law firms and cases. The authority refused to confirm or deny holding the information due to a statutory exemption under the Legal Aid Act 1986.

The request was received on 2024-05-10 and responded to on 2024-06-06.

The outcome was 'Neither confirm or deny information held'.

The exemption is based on section 27(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

Disclosure is restricted by law under section 14 of the Legal Aid Act 1986.

The request concerned payments to Hannan Law Advocates and Callin Wild Advocates.

Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Neither confirm nor deny)

Section 27(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Disclosure restricted by law)


Tribal Validation of Schools Spring Term 2024

Summary: A request was made for all documents, costs, and participation data regarding the Tribal validation of five schools in Spring 2024, but the Department of Education, Sport and Culture refused to disclose the information.

The request covered five schools: CRHS, QEII, Kewaigue Primary School, Peel Clothworkers' School, and St Mary's RC School.

The Department refused the request citing Section 33(b) regarding audit functions.

A public interest test was conducted, weighing transparency against the need to protect the integrity of the ongoing validation process.

The validation process is currently in a pilot phase before a three-year cycle begins in September 2024.

The outcome of the request was 'Not upheld' on 2024-09-17.


eet 20/152 tribunal member costs

Summary: The request sought additional tribunal member costs for case 2020/152 since a previous FOI, and the General Registry disclosed an informal breakdown of preparation, attendance, and report writing costs for the Chair and Members for financial years 2022/2023 and 2023/2024.

The formal Treasury payment system does not identify specific tribunal cases for individual payments.

The disclosed data was extracted from an informal record maintained by the General Registry.

The authority warned that due to the informal nature of the record, errors and omissions may exist.

The response covers costs for the case 'Graeme Jones v Office of the Clerk of Tynwald'.

The Chairperson's total costs for the 2022/2023 financial year were £31,986.86.


open justice legal principle

Summary: The requester asked for policies governing the redaction and publication of judgments on the Isle of Man courts website. The General Registry responded that no such written policies or strategies exist, as publication decisions are based on the application of Manx Law and specific legislative safeguards rather than a formal document.

The General Registry does not hold a 'judgments policy' or related procedures determining redaction or availability.

Judgment availability is determined by the application of Manx Law rather than a specific policy document.

There is no legislation mandating the publication of judgments, though some legislation prohibits publishing certain information.

Safeguards exist in family cases to prevent the identification of children.

No 'judgments website uploads policy or strategy' exists for the www.judgments.im website.


Legal definition of a caravan

Summary: The requester asked for the legal definition of a caravan following restrictions on permanent imports to the Isle of Man. The Department of Infrastructure refused to send the information directly, citing that it is already reasonably accessible to the public via a provided link to Tynwald legislation.

The request was made to the Department of Infrastructure regarding the legal definition of a caravan.

The authority stated that new caravans are no longer allowed to be imported permanently to the island.

Information was withheld under Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 because it is already reasonably accessible.

The requester was directed to a specific PDF link on the Tynwald website containing the legislation.

The case was closed on 14 May 2024 with the outcome 'No information sent - all held but exempt'.

The requester noted a previous attempt to obtain this information via email in February 2023 was ignored.

Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information reasonably accessible)


Green Living Grants

Summary: The request sought statistics on Green Living Grants and EPC surveys, to which the Department for Enterprise responded with data on grant offers, payments, and clarified that Manx Home Energy Audits (MHEAs) replaced EPCs.

1,121 grant offers were made totaling £3,001,991.74.

849 grant payments were made totaling £2,087,994.61.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are not used; they are replaced by Manx Home Energy Audits (MHEAs).

4,266 MHEAs were completed at a total cost of £953,550.00.

The combined value of grants paid including MHEA costs is £3,041,544.61.


Bus Vannin cost savings

Summary: The requester asked for specific cost savings figures for Bus Vannin's Connect Villages service by financial year, but the Department of Infrastructure provided a qualitative explanation of savings mechanisms and average annual figures instead of a year-by-year breakdown.

The North Island bus network changed in 2019/20, replacing large scheduled buses with demand-responsive minibuses.

Savings were achieved by moving larger vehicles to the South route, increasing frequency and revenue by approximately 2%.

Fuel efficiency improved significantly, with Sprinter minibuses averaging 24 mpg compared to 8 mpg or less for large buses.

Driver costs were reduced because the new vehicles required a lesser licence, lowering hourly rates from over £20 to over £11.

Patronage on these services grew from an average of 1,000 to 3,000 per month, though revenue growth was limited by free concessionary travel.

£5772 per driver plus on costs per annum


Fire and Rescue Service charges

Summary: The request sought 10 years of data on Fire and Rescue Service charges for false alarms and prank calls, including unpaid amounts. The authority provided 7 years of data for false alarm charges but confirmed no charges were issued for prank calls and stated they do not hold records on unpaid charges.

The authority limited the data provision to 7 years (2017-2023) instead of the requested 10 years due to Financial Regulations.

A total of 939 charges were issued for false alarms over the 7-year period.

Zero charges were issued for fake or prank calls during the period.

The Department of Home Affairs does not hold information regarding the number of unpaid charges.

Applicants were advised to contact the Treasury for information on unpaid charges.

Fake/Prank Calls: Total Charges Issued (0)

Information not held by the public authority

Financial Regulations limiting record retention to 7 years


Information regarding Braddan Commissioner's Roundhouse

Summary: The requester asked for legal evidence regarding the Department of Health and Social Care's right to restrict access to the Braddan Commissioner's Roundhouse and correspondence between the Health Minister and Chief Executive. The Department responded that it does not hold the requested information, citing practical refusal reasons and directing the applicant to other government resources for land ownership and public rights of way data.

The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold evidence confirming its legal rights to close or restrict vehicular access to the Roundhouse.

Applicants are directed to the Isle of Man Land Registry for proof of land ownership around the Roundhouse.

Applicants are directed to the Department of Infrastructure's Public Rights of Way website for mapping data.

Correspondence prior to 24 April 2024 was deemed reasonably accessible via a previous FOI response (reference #3822123).

Correspondence on or after 24 April 2024 was not held or could not be found after reasonable steps.

Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information not held or cannot be found after reasonable steps)

Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information accessible to applicant by other means)


Wildlife killed at the airport since 2019

Summary: The Department of Infrastructure responded to a request for data on wildlife killed at the Isle of Man airport since 2019, disclosing specific culling figures, species details, and methods used.

Records for specific bird species were only implemented from June 2019 onwards.

Four crows were culled between January and June 2019 before species-specific recording began.

The airport currently does not use trapping techniques for birds, though it was done in 2019.

Eleven birds were captured by traps between January and July 2019.

The response includes a table detailing other animals culled and the methods used.


Anonymised survey responses

Summary: The requester asked for anonymized survey responses regarding a government conference promoted on social media. The Cabinet Office disclosed the data, including quantitative attendance figures and qualitative feedback on content and execution, though the response was marked as partially exempt.

The survey asked respondents about their attendance at conference sessions.

Respondents provided feedback on missing elements such as catering, content relevance, and presentation quality.

Criticism was directed at the use of acronyms and the perceived lack of future-focused insights.

Some attendees reported physical discomfort due to red striped lighting in the Promenade Suite.

The response included data on session attendance ranging from 0 to 20 sessions.

2024-05-17
2024-06-17
12 respondents attended 1 session
9 respondents attended 2 sessions
7 respondents attended 3 sessions
10 respondents attended 4 sessions
9 respondents attended 5 sessions
5 respondents attended 6 sessions
2 respondents attended 7 sessions
1 respondent attended 8 sessions
1 respondent attended 10 sessions
1 respondent attended 12 sessions
1 respondent attended 14 sessions
1 respondent attended 17 sessions
1 respondent attended 20 sessions
21 pages
2 documents


Reports of Wildlife Crime

Summary: A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs for details on Wildlife Crime Officers and crime statistics for the last five years. The authority responded that they do not hold the requested information and suggested the requester contact the Isle of Man Constabulary instead.

The Department of Home Affairs does not hold the requested information regarding Wildlife Crime Officers.

The requester was advised to re-submit the request to the Isle of Man Constabulary.

The request covered five specific questions including officer numbers, training, remuneration, and crime reports.

The response was issued on 20 May 2024 with reference number 3865021.

The request defined 'wildlife or environmental crime' by listing 14 specific Acts ranging from 1882 to 2021.


Protection of sites of critical importance for nature conservation

Summary: The requester asked for confirmation on the status of biodiversity protection targets and specific land conservation statistics under the Isle of Man Biodiversity Strategy. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture confirmed that not all critical sites are protected, cited a lack of resources and previous fisheries agreements as reasons, and directed the requester to an online dashboard showing 19.76% of land is currently protected.

Not all sites of critical importance for biodiversity conservation are currently effectively protected and managed on land and at sea.

The Department does not hold the specific information explaining why protection targets have not been met, citing Section 11(3)a of the Act.

Resource constraints and the previous fisheries agreement have restricted the Department's ability to fulfill conservation expectations.

The Nature Recovery Network dashboard indicates that 19.76% of the land area is currently protected or in Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs).

Manx National Heritage land and Registered Woodlands have protection but have not yet been added to the Nature Recovery Network map.

Section 11(3)a (Information not held or cannot be found after reasonable steps)

Section 20 (Information already reasonably accessible)


Procedures for dealing with FOI requests

Summary: The requester asked for training materials and advice on handling Freedom of Information requests, including specific guidance on refusals and exemptions. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed publicly accessible guidance links and internal training materials but stated that specific advice documents on deflecting requests or extending processing periods were not held.

The request was received on 2024-05-21 and the outcome was issued on 2024-06-19.

The authority is the Department of Infrastructure on the Isle of Man.

Publicly accessible documents such as the FOI Act 2015 and Code of Practice were provided.

Specific advice on how to deflect or refuse requests was not held by the authority.

Specific advice on using sections 13 and 14 to extend processing periods was not held.


Wildlife Crime

Summary: A Freedom of Information request was made to the Isle of Man Constabulary regarding the number, training, and reporting statistics of Wildlife Crime Officers. The authority disclosed that two officers hold the role without special remuneration and reported only one specific wildlife offence in the last five years.

The Isle of Man Constabulary has two officers undertaking the Wildlife Crime Officer role.

Wildlife Crime Officers do not receive special remuneration for their additional duties.

Officers attended a 5-day training course in Stoke-on-Trent covering UK and Manx legislation.

There is no specific email address for the role; enquiries must be made via local police stations or headquarters.

Only one offence relating to a specific wildlife crime listed in the request was recorded in the last 5 years.

2 officers
5 day course
March 2022
1 offence
last 5 years
2024-05-20
2024-06-04


Licence for raw sewage discharge into Marine Nature Reserves

Summary: The requester asked for DEFA Byelaw 14 permits for raw sewage discharge into Laxey Bay and West Coast Marine Nature Reserves from 2018 to 2024. The Manx Utilities Authority responded that the information is not held because discharges are regulated under the Water Pollution Act 1993, and Byelaw 20 exempts relevant authorities from the Marine Nature Reserve Byelaws.

The requested information regarding Byelaw 14 permits was not held by the authority.

Current wastewater discharges into Laxey, Garwick, and Peel Bays are regulated by DEFA under the Water Pollution Act 1993.

Byelaw 20 of the Manx Marine Nature Reserve Byelaws 2018 states that the byelaws do not interfere with the functions of relevant authorities like Manx Utilities.

Manx Utilities is defined as a 'relevant authority' under Byelaw 20, meaning no further permits under the 2018 Byelaws are required.

The request was closed on 18 June 2024 following the determination that the specific documents do not exist.

Byelaw 20 exemption for relevant authorities


Benefit Fraud & Error 2023-24

Summary: The request sought benefit fraud and error statistics for 2023-24 and detailed financial data for prosecuted cases over six years. The Treasury provided the 2023-24 statistics but refused the detailed case data, citing the cost of creating the information and exemptions for personal data.

Tables 1 and 2 regarding benefit fraud allegations and administrative errors for 2023-24 were provided in Appendix 1.

The request for specific financial details of prosecuted cases over the last 6 years was refused under Section 11(3)(b) as the information would need to be created manually.

Management systems can report total overpayments but cannot identify individual case amounts without manual checking.

Additional data found regarding active repayments was withheld under Section 25 as absolutely exempt personal information.

The response was delayed by one day to review the additional personal data found.

2023-24
6 financial years
Case ID 3868909
Case ID 3007569
20 May 2024
21 June 2024
Section 8(3)
Section 11(3)(b)
Section 25
Article 5
Article 6

Section 11(3)(b) - Information not held (practical refusal)

Section 25 - Absolutely personal information

Data Protection (Application of GDPR) Order 2018 - Article 5 and Article 6


recruitment benefits

Summary: The request asked for the total number of unique individuals who received recruitment benefits from the Department of Education, Sport and Culture since the 2017-2018 financial year, and how many remain employed. The authority disclosed that 172 individuals benefited and 124 are still employed.

The request covered recruitment benefits including relocation costs, retention payments, housing allowance, student loan schemes, and shortage allowances.

The data period spans from the financial year 2017-2018 to the date of the response in May 2024.

Individuals were counted only once regardless of how many different benefits they received.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture confirmed that 172 unique individuals received at least one benefit.

Of those 172 individuals, 124 are currently still employed by the department.


National Insurance holidays

Summary: A request was made for data on National Insurance holiday costs and beneficiary counts for the Department of Education, Sport and Culture and all departments since 2017-2018. The Cabinet Office responded that it does not hold this information and suggested contacting The Treasury instead.

The Cabinet Office does not hold the requested information regarding National Insurance holidays.

The request covered the period from the financial year 2017-2018 to the date of the request.

The Treasury was identified as the potential authority holding the relevant data.

The request was formally closed on 24 May 2024.

The requester was advised to quote reference number 3871073 in future communications.


Legal licences for the killing of birds at the airport

Summary: The requester asked for copies of specific licences issued for killing birds at the Isle of Man Airport from 2019 to date. The Department of Infrastructure responded that no specific licence exists for the airport, but provided a link to the relevant general licences issued by DEFA.

No specific licence has been awarded to the Isle of Man Airport for killing birds.

The killing of birds at the airport is covered under a general licence issued by DEFA.

The response directed the requester to a government website to access current general licences.

The request was received on 2024-05-21 and closed on 2024-06-05.

The authority handling the request is the Department of Infrastructure.


GIS mapping layer of National Trust properties

Summary: A request was made for a GIS mapping layer of land held by the Manx Museum & National Trust, but the Cabinet Office responded that it does not hold the information as it is managed by Government Technology Services on behalf of Manx National Heritage.

The Cabinet Office does not hold the requested GIS layer information.

The information is held by Government Technology Services (GTS) on behalf of Manx National Heritage.

The request was received on 2024-05-21 and the response was issued on 2024-05-29.

Applicants are advised to contact Manx National Heritage directly or submit a new FOI request to them.

Paragraph 1(1)(a) of Schedule 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015


IOM TT

Summary: The requester asked for a link to 2024 TT restricted area maps and clarification on marshal powers to move spectators. The authority provided the relevant website link and confirmed that marshals have broad powers under the Road Races Act 2016 to remove individuals based on safety risks, provided they issue a warning.

Restricted area information is available on the IOMTTRaces.com website.

Marshals derive their powers from Section 10 of the Road Races Act 2016.

Marshals can remove persons from any road, land, or position, not just restricted zones.

Powers are exercisable only if the marshal reasonably determines a safety risk exists.

Marshals must warn individuals that their conduct constitutes an offence before exercising removal powers.