Chris Thomas
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Posts posted by Chris Thomas
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23 hours ago, Dirty Buggane said:
Chris Thomas never knows when to stop talking, why use ten words when you can use several hundred and still manage to say nothing of any consequence. Makes no difference its all shite and drivel no matter what the subject.
How verbose. Just "tosser" sometimes.
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3 hours ago, 2112 said:
Perhaps any individuals at fault, either through lack of maintenance or record keeping, should be penalised. Nobody wants to take responsibility, neither staff, management and certainly Minister Thomas doesn’t want to know.
I do want to know and I think I do know. Please send me any evidence and information about the legal arguments in this case that you think I might not know.
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On 3/23/2023 at 5:09 PM, HelmutX said:
"Income generated through vehicle duty is spent on maintaining and improving the Island’s highways"
Oh, yeah... right.... what an outright LIE! The tax goes into the consolidated fund!! (and the CS pensions!)
There is no fund, consolidated or otherwise, into which vehicle duty is paid. It is just general revenue. However the amount spent on highways is greater than the amount raised in vehicle duty here.
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12 hours ago, Non-Believer said:
The only thing this is intended to be "fair" to is a f@cking great gap in previously non-contributory pension funding and other Treasury shortfalls that our elected haven't had the backbone to address since it was flagged up in 2006; a can that they've endlessly kicked down the road because it might involve upsetting their largest voter base and it was too much like hard work to do so. Although we've had endless assurances that it was all sorted out and was now on a sustainable footing (a bit like the MUA debt...).
Well, we are now seeing what that "sustainability" means. Remember that, next time a spineless puddle of lard knocks on your door wanting your vote.
Really. What do you know that actuaries don't? Surely increased contributions and cost sharing inside the cost envelope have sorted out public sector pension sustainability? PS What non-contributory pensions schemes are there now?
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2 hours ago, CallMeCurious said:
Seems Chris Thomas is strikes again.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-65067092
The department said many of the fees had not been updated since 2013 and if they were not increased the "maintenance spending on the road and footpath network will have to be reduced".
So the roads are fine but they've had to put up the fees because they were 'unfair' and they need the money now because the department had done nothing about it for the previous 10 years.
It seems the plan is to price people out of driving cars altogether so we don't wear out the roads so quickly. No wonder they are focusing on the pavements everywhere. Next stop will be tax and insurance for bicycles and mobility scooters.
That's not the plan.
There will be a call for evidence regarding vehicle duty though this year. Will you submit evidence and a proposal?
Here is a guide to standard road condition assessment Road condition information | UKRLG (ciht.org.uk) if you want to read out more about the approaches used here and elsewhere. These approaches inform DoI's maintenance and investment plans and submissions to Treasury.
This data is now input into Treasury's Strategic Infrastructure Needs Assessment process to determine the relative need for capital funds in budget process.
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6 minutes ago, Satan666 said:
I trust that the homeless are not being housed in any of the many undeclared HMO’s around Douglas, as these don’t have any regs, particularly fire regs at all.
You are right. It is unlawful to let unregistered HMOs.
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On 2/26/2023 at 1:44 PM, Passing Time said:
who the actual fuck signed off on this vanity project?
Whose vanity? All the information about sign-off, cost, reason and use is provided in written answers in Hansard by the way.
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On 2/27/2023 at 2:46 PM, Gizo said:
The real reason is to prevent anybody using the jetty to jump off. You know making sure kids aren't allowed any fun on this god forsaken island, just like they were doing with the Raglan.
The gate is open.
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On 2/28/2023 at 4:11 PM, Mistercee said:
Would it not have been simpler (and cheaper) for the Harbours Division to simply prohibit cruise ships from discharging passengers in Port Erin?
You are right. That was one option. I think the similar area in Castletown was removed. But some use has been made or might be made of the arrangements in Port Erin. This cost just over £3000.
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On 3/12/2023 at 12:11 PM, Moghrey Mie said:
Similar!
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On 3/13/2023 at 9:25 AM, jackwhite said:
What do you mean by "smaller arrangements"?
Not a hostel for everyone.
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On 3/3/2023 at 10:16 AM, hissingsid said:
I wonder when this proposed rise will be presented to Tynwald. If you don’t agree with it email your MHK now it is no good moaning on forums.
The Vehicle Duty Order will be on March Tynwald, having been on the register of business for six weeks. The effect of this order was included in the pink book departmental income after long negotiations with Treasury and then Council of Ministers. If Tynwald does not approve the order, departmental highways expenditure will need to be reduced further to balance departmental budget.
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9 minutes ago, Moghrey Mie said:
But I don't think we have legislation saying that people must be housed do we?
You are right, and I believe we need homelessness defined and then responsibility allocated. I outlined an approach in February Tynwald as follows:
" I think personally there is a perfectly adequate definition (of homelessness in) in the social security capital budgeting emergency loans arrangements which were brought in inJuly 2022. So for instance, in that piece of secondary legislation in July 2022:
(1D) A person is homeless if he has no accommodation available for his occupation, in the Island or elsewhere, which he – (a) is entitled to occupy by virtue of an interest in it or by virtue of an order of a court; (b) has an express or implied licence to occupy; or (c) occupies as a residence by virtue of any enactment or rule of law giving him the right to remain in occupation or restricting the right of another person to recover possession.
(1E) A person is also homeless if he has accommodation but – (a) he cannot secure entry to it; or (b) it consists of a moveable structure, vehicle or vessel designed or adapted for human habitation and there is no place where he is entitled or permitted both to place it and to reside in it.
(1F) A person shall not be treated as having accommodation unless it is accommodation which it would be reasonable for him to continue to occupy.
So that definition that was already worked up for Mrs Maltby by legislative drafters will form the basis of drafting instructions for the whole of the forthcoming Housing and Communities Bill, as far as I am concerned, at this stage."
The DoI might need to be responsible, or it could be a Housing Association or similar. No local authority seems to want to take this responsibility.
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On 3/3/2023 at 1:25 PM, Roger Mexico said:
10% it is though. I've set out the current Vehicle Duty rates as from May 2020 - from when the current rates were valid and compared them to those now proposed:
Band CO2 (g/km) Vehicle Duty
2023 (12 Mon)Vehicle Duty
2023 (6 Mon)Vehicle Duty
2020 (12 Mon)% Increase None Pre-1990 28 N/A 25 12% None Motorcycles 28 N/A 25 12% ZEV Zero 65 39 0 N/A A To 50 65 39 6 983% B 51-75 65 39 29 124% C 76-100 65 39 40 63% D 101-110 65 39 48 35% E 111-120 79 46 71 11% F 121-130 169 91 153 10% G 131-140 203 108 184 10% H 141-150 235 124 213 10% I 151-165 268 140 243 10% J 166-175 302 157 274 10% K 176-185 336 174 305 10% L 186-200 394 203 358 10% M 201-225 410 211 372 10% N 226-255 700 356 636 10% O Over 255 724 368 658 10% As you can see, apart from a few figures a bit over 10%, cause by rounding up to the nearest pound on small amounts, the only big percentage increases are on very low emission cars (Bands A-D) whose Duty has been set at the same rate (£65) as the new one for electric, zero emission vehicles. If you're objecting to those percentages, you ought also be complaining about the infinity percentage increase on the latter. And not even the electric car owners seem to be doing that.
Or is the real complaint about the 10% that it is wrong? Certainly if you look at the rate of inflation from May 2020 to January 2023, the increase for CPI is 15.4% (131.0 to 151.2) and the RPI figure is even higher at 18.2% (200.7 to 237.3). Why should everyone else subsidise below inflation rises for car drivers?
I'm sure that now @Chris Thomas has had this pointed out, he will withdraw the order and replace it with one with 20% increases. Hopefully that will make all the objectors on Manx Forums happy.
Thank you for commentary and analysis.
Your calculations seems correct of course.
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On 3/10/2023 at 11:06 PM, A fool and his money..... said:
I can't work out whether Chris Thomas is just completely out of his depth or whether he's just the worst possible kind of self-serving, self-promoting politician.
"rolling out a mattress in the basement of a church was not ideal, so we'll replace it with absolutely nothing for a few years while we have some meetings about meetings, Oh and if you're not happy about that then he's a list of other departments you can blame."
What a bloody idiot!
Please don't use "...." if you are neither quoting anything I have ever said and are in fact making things up.
Emergency shelter is still provided.
Government will neither be commissioning nor running an emergency shelter like Graih used to do.
There are no meetings, never mind meetings about meetings.
DHA is responsible for probation. DHSC and DHA have various statutory duties and powers which relate to people's housing.
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12 minutes ago, TheTeapot said:
Hey @Chris Thomaswhile you're here did you note my point?
I know benefits aren't part of your remit DoI, but did you even know your government goes out of its way to make things more difficult for people who need help?
Thanks for feedback. Sanctions are only a small part of our social security system, especially compared to across; and I want the system to be fair and supportive.
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2 minutes ago, Moghrey Mie said:
So why did High Bailiff Jayne Hughes make comments about there being nowhere suitable to send somebody?
The Manx Independent reported:
"Caley's probation officer said that he had since been assessed for a place at Tromode House, the probation accommodation, but it could not provide the amount of support Caley would need. His probation officer then tried to get him a place at Viva Heights, an adult care home on the Island, providing support and assistance to people with a diagnosis of mental illness. However she said that Caley would also have to be assessed for a place there, and that funding had to be in place, which could take around a week, or even longer, as it was very expensive. Mrs Hughes asked if Caley had been living in the community before he was arrested. His probation officer said that he had, but he had not been able to look after himself properly, so there would be concerns if he had no support."
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On 3/10/2023 at 10:32 AM, Roxanne said:
Can someone tell me why it closed? It was doing such good work.
"The decision has been taken with deep regret following a review of resourcing levels and an assessment regarding the long-term sustainability of services", in Graih's own words. Taxpayer funds had co-funded the night shelter and Graih had hoped to continue its operation until end-March 2023 but was forced to cease operations at end September 2022.
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On 3/10/2023 at 10:05 AM, jackwhite said:
There seems to be a belief that there isn't any or much homelessness on the Isle of Man. Having done some work with Graih it's definitely not the case. A lot of people sleeping in cars, sofa surfing and such like.
Even then and for the most vulnerable, it's extremely difficult to find them anywhere.
I know of such accommodation such as these b&bs that was bought by someone recently and they've emptied it out those on bail and such like. Otherwise they would struggle to rent and run it.
Can see why a buyer would do this but obviously won't help the situation.
That said I also know of a property owner who tried to discuss letting his building to IOMG as a halfway house. He was met with apathy and constant roadblocks and gave up in the end, albeit leaving the offer open should they decide to come back to him.
Thanks for your work with Graih. That organisation, and other charities, have been instrumental in recognising homelessness and then turning around the approach to supporting people with no fixed abode. Various property options have been offered and explored. The need for smaller arrangements rather than a hostel is key.
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On 3/10/2023 at 9:37 AM, Moghrey Mie said:
Well done to the Manx Radio interviewer for trying to get an answer out of Chris Thomas.
It will all be wonderful in the future.
There was nothing vague about my answer - just nothing new to add to what I have outlined previously.
Emergency shelter is provided in bed and breakfasts to some, through adult social care and others. It was decided not to replace the Graih facility. A strategic partnership will be announced.
This was summarised at the end of February in Tynwald by the Chief Minister as follows:
"When the Housing and Communities Board published its Action Plan in March 2022, it set out to design a pathway for individuals requiring emergency overnight shelter. Work by the Board to undertake a strategic review of homelessness took place last summer and its findings informed the Board that the causes and subsequent needs of those facing homelessness were wide-ranging in complexity, and unlikely to be solved by single interventions such as an emergency shelter. However, following the unexpected closure of Graih, the Island’s only homeless shelter, in September of last year, the Board’s attention turned to exploring alternative provision. Whilst one proposal was received from a local third sector organisation, it could not be concluded that the service proposal would meet the actual service user needs and therefore was pursued no further. I must advise that for anyone presenting in need of an overnight emergency shelter, an existing pathway in Adult Social Care is available to support an individual’s access to local B&Bs. Similarly, those seeking daytime shelter are able to access a drop-in centre gratefully operated by the Broadway Baptist Church. Looking forward, the Housing and Communities Board continues to work on homelessness and is taking an evidence-based and needs-informed approach to pathway design. In the coming weeks, the Board will announce a strategic partnership with a number of third sector organisations who will be tasked with developing a strategy to address homelessness and to consider appropriate pathways services and mechanisms."
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10 minutes ago, Moghrey Mie said:
And so the years go by and people come out of prison with nowhere to live.
That isn't true. There is a facility in Tromode and other services are provided. Probation and others will be working to deal with the current situation, and nobody denies the current arrangements need significant enhancement, for those leaving prison and for others who end up with no fixed abode and need additional services.
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23 hours ago, english zloty said:
Yes for Griah however Kymerreck (Sp?) was a different thing but both funded in part by the taxpayer.
You are right to mention various housing charities which work with Government agencies closely.
Graih closed its emergency night shelter last autumn, having already decided for a few years that it needed to pull back from its involvement. For instance it did not express an interest in providing emergency housing and housing first support with Government in October 2020. Wonderfully Broadway Baptist Church still provides day time drop in support. Graih - The homelessness charity
Housing Matters continues to give support, advice and guidance for those in housing crisis.
Manx Housing Trust is the longest running body and it provides a crucial transition for many into public housing.
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1 hour ago, x-in-man said:
Has it been looked into how much income will be lost with a 6 month tax when it comes to seasonal use vehicles?
As an example an owner has two vehicles.
Both cost £100 to tax for a year.
Total VED income for a year is £200.
Using a seasonal vehicle for the warmer months reverting to a winter vehicle in the winter.. total VED for the two vehicles would then be £100 (plus a bit for the 6 month tax to cover admin).
You are right - the 6 month option will reduce the total of vehicle duty. It is hard to estimate this reduction but it could be hundreds of thousands a year
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7 minutes ago, forestboy said:
Just freeze the rates at present and work on the reform with effect from 1/4/2024
Thanks for comment. If that happened, 6 month duty option and fairer charging for electric vehicles etc. would not be in place, and DoI Highways Division would not be able to meet its Treasury/Tynwald approved income target so highways expenditure would be at risk. Vehicle duty has not been increased since 2020 and 10% increase for most vehicle types is a below inflation increase since 2020.
Proposed Increase in Vehicle Duty
in Local News
Posted
Thanks for comment and conceding on public sector pensions. Do you have a way to make the legacy funding gap disappear that would survive legal challenge?
How about this FOI response from February 2023 for figures servlets.getImg (icasework.com). There is additional expenditure on highways in Highways Division revenue budget too which is not included here.
I agree that the public finances are fragile. Highways need maintenance and investment and if discrete and rolling capital funds are reduced and revenue budget is based on assuming Tynwald approval of higher duties, fees and charges for highways services, I hope Tynwald approves them or the condition of the highways will deteriorate more.