Roadshow a 'chance to hear public views'

Sessions will be held across the island this week

A series of public meetings featuring the Council of Minister will allow the government to "recognise where we have room for improvement", the chief minister has said.

The first of four regional Listening to You events takes place in Ramsey later, with sessions in Castletown, Douglas and Peel to follow.

First launched last year, the roadshow give the public the chance to listen to government policies and give ministers feedback on issues.

Alfred Cannan said the 2024 events, allowed the government to "reflect" on people's experiences and what actions needed to be taken.

Taking place at Ramsey Grammar School, Ballakermeen High School in Douglas, Castle Rushen High School in Castletown, Queen Elizabeth II High School in Peel on consecutive days between 17:30 until 20:00 BST.

Each session will begin with a speech from Cannan, followed by the chance to ask questions and one-to-one time with ministers.

'Thought-provoking'

The chief minister said key themes from last year's events included the tax rise, the cost of public services, travel on and off the island, healthcare and mental health services.

Cannan said he hoped to use the latest series to explain the progress made on those matters since.

While he did not want to "prejudge" what matters would be raised, he said he was expecting the economy, the cost of immigration and security as well as more questions about healthcare to be raised by the public.

However, he said there were "always questions that we perhaps aren't anticipating, which can often be revealing and thought-provoking".

He said the events also enabled people to "highlight where negative impacts were taking place", which "provided an opportunity to reflect on that".

The sessions, which saw about 400 people attend overall last year, were also an "opportunity" for ministers to go out to different parts of the island to "engage with people they would not ordinarily see and hear the challenges they face".