Ramsey - Anne Craine
Anne
has been married to David for 23 years. They have 3 children who
like Anne have been' educated at Ramsey Grammar School. For the last
9 years she has been an elected Member of the Board of Education
and has served Auldyn, Albert Road and Ramsey Grammar Schools where
she is presently the chairman of the governing body. Her concern
for youth has extended to her involvement in the drop-in centre known
as Beryl's Bus. Anne is a member of both the Manx Heritage Foundation
and the Lottery Trust of which she is chairman. Appointed a magistrate
in 2000 she has in addition served on a Government commission investigating
Legal Services and has recently been invited to serve on a further
commission appointed to consider legal aid. Her experience and commitment
to the community lead her to believe that she has the energy and
ability to dedicate herself to serve Ramsey effectively as a full-time
representative in the House of Keys.
THE FUTURE OF RAMSEY
Ramsey is nestled into a beautiful location of hills, sea and glens.
We are fortunate to have a close, caring community made up of people
who are friendly, approachable and hardworking.
Why then, are we overlooked whenever Government initiatives are
forthcoming? The Island as a whole has never enjoyed greater prosperity
than now. Government policy is providing greater opportunities for
the Isle of Man than ever before, but this is not reflected in Ramsey.
It is apparent that the booming economy of the last 5 years has not
reaped the benefits for our town that are enjoyed in other localities.
Lack of effective representation has meant that we are still left
out in the cold whenever it comes to Government investment. The result
of this is that the work force of Ramsey is not in a position to
enjoy the higher quality, better paid opportunities for employment.
We are not meeting the demands for housing. Businesses who have remained
faithful to the town are not being repaid for their loyalty. Our
small shopkeepers are facing difficulties in remaining open. The
town is short of 21st century recreational facilities.
I want to see our community benefiting from the same opportunities for quality
employment enjoyed by other areas of the Island. I want to see facilities for
the elderly that give them a better quality of life in their retirement. I
want to see local people being able to obtain houses in their hometown. I want
to see shops that prosper and businesses thriving. I want community entertainment
facilities that meet all our needs and a dedicated area for our youth in an
attempt to bring them in off the streets.
I WANT RAMSEY TO HAVE A FUTURE
You have the power to make that happen. Please give me your support on
22nd November.
Revitalisation of Ramsey
Ramsey has been identified as an area of full employment, but indicators
show that it lacks the higher paid employment enjoyed elsewhere.
To generate badly needed income for the town, we need:-
- Professionals working and spending in the town.
- Light industry.
- A Town Enhancement Programme.
How do we achieve this?
Support for businesses already in existence to ensure their continuation
in Ramsey.
Capital allowance schemes.
- "Small shop" rate incentives supported via local authorities
from Central Government funding.
- Increased power to local authorities to enforce external upkeep
of commercial properties.
- Re-location of Government Departments and the establishment of
a multi-departmental agency to reduce the need to travel to Douglas
to receive basic government advice and services.
Light Industry
The Department of Trade and Industry should be directed to build on the success
of recently constructed light industrial units in Douglas by developing the
zoned areas of Ramsey to offer the same facilities. There should be continued
support for those industries who are already major employers in Ramsey.
Town Enhancement Programme
Whatever is developed in Ramsey needs to be of the maximum benefit for the
people of Ramsey.
Old Harbour
Whilst earlier Marina proposals were believed to be unacceptable because of
design and financing, a more modest scheme can still be achieved by developing
the Old Harbour. I would seek Central Government funding as has been available
to Douglas and is to be made available to Port St. Mary and Peel for the
creation of this facility.
Multi Purpose Entertainment Centre
Consideration should be given to the development of a centre that could meet
the wishes of many different sections of the community, and I believe that
it should be built on the Peveril Plot. This could accommodate exhibitions,
Yn Chruinnaght, and social functions, and have sights off the main area that
could contain staging for amateur dramatic productions or musical concerts
and cultural workshops for music, art, craft, and dance. A small lecture
theatre could double as a cinema. A dedicated youth area could be created
including a sound proof room for "showcase" young musicians to rehearse in.
Funding?
The Isle of Man is currently processing the distribution of International On-line
Gaming Licences. The applicants for these are some of the biggest names in
the entertainment world, so why not take this new entertainment based income
to pay for entertainment facilities.
The Economy
I support the current tax strategy which seeks to secure the improvement in
wealth generated in recent years. We need to strengthen the economy by diversification
whilst still listening to the finance sector and keeping it competitive at
world level. Shipping and the film industry have proved the worth of this policy
and we must continue to be vigilant in seeking new opportunities. We are in
a global market place and we must be aware of any external threats to our position
in that market place.
External Affairs Ministry
We no longer can rely on our International interests being looked after by
the British Government. In little over a week we had two examples of their
neglect and how they put their own interests ahead of ours.
When introducing revised insurance cover for acts of terrorism,
the Lord Chancellor's Office chose not to recognise that Manx Airlines
is a wholly owned subsidiary of British Airways and as such continue
with all enveloping cover. They deliberately chose to flex their
muscles with the Crown Dependencies and unnecessarily exclude it
from cover previously exercised. This caused problems for hospital
services, local business people, and families - and held our Government
to ransom.
Recent criticism from France of Money Laundering activities within
the City of London chose to imply the same of the Isle of Man and
Gibraltar. As the Edwards Report proved, our financial regulations
are extremely rigorous and were quoted as being "top drawer". We
need to distance ourselves from tainted British operations and establish
ourselves more firmly within the global market.
These issues and many more must be addressed by the Isle of Man
constantly seeking allies in other jurisdictions, and by making direct
contact with Europe in Brussels, the Commonwealth and the United
Nations.
Alcohol & Drug Abuse
I believe that excessive availability and consumption of alcohol is the source
of much of the breakdown of law and order in our society. Alcohol is the "acceptable" drug
responsible for increasing violence, physical abuse, breakdown of marriages,
and depression. Every edition of our local papers reflects evidence of alcohol
abuse. I am disturbed to learn how easy it is to obtain drugs in the Isle of
Man. There seems to be no alternative to severe penalties for related crimes.
We must continue our vigilance over the prevention of drugs entering the Island
by various means. I support the Drug and Alcohol Strategy of education, treatment,
re-habilitation and law enforcement.
Housing
The Government has failed to provide sufficient houses over the last 5 years
to meet demand. The latest policy of building 400 houses per annum is only
going to cater for the backlog and not address the current needs of Ramsey
and the Island. The existing House Purchase and Home Improvement Schemes need
revision as they are so restrictive in their approach as to be impractical
to many applicants. Older properties in town centres should be considered for
a more generous scale of support.
We also need to be creating local authority housing whereby we develop
a mixture of 3, 2, or 1 bedroom accommodation. In creating this variety
of size of housing it would be possible to invite people to re-locate
in the same vicinity when their need for larger property no longer
exists, thus retaining the sense of mixed generation communities.
School
Whilst opposed to the siting of the new school in Clifton Park, I welcome the
development of two new primary schools in Ramsey. It is proposed that both
schools will be identical in budget, provision and size and without catchment
areas in order to offer free choice. In support of the continued growth of
Ramsey Grammar School I look forward to the creation of new 6th. form accommodation.
Ramsey can take pride in the level of achievement of its young people and they
are to be congratulated.
Ramsey Health Facilities
Whilst the future of Ramsey Cottage Hospital remains assured, we must continue
to support the development of the many health services available to us at
this coveted community facility. The continuation of the care available to
us at "The Cottage" will always be of prime importance. Concern is growing
about waiting times for medical and dental appointments and we must press
for an adequate number of practitioners to serve our population.
Policing
I believe that Ramsey should have a new Police Station situated where it can
meet the rapid response required by our community today and that it should
be manned 24 hours a day.
The Queen's Pier
The Queen's Pier holds a huge amount of sentiment with very many people, in
Ramsey and further afield. The harsh reality of the recent independent report
to Government indicating that at least £9.5million would have to be spent to
refurbish the pier as a structure with historical integrity comes as a shock,
and is unlikely to be accepted by Tynwald. Taking a cheaper option will destroy
that integrity. We should maintain the Pier on the present basis whilst consideration
is given to whether its retention using modern materials is acceptable.
Roads
The roads of the Isle of Man are a national disgrace. One of the worst sections
has to be the coastal approach to Ramsey. The budget for Highways is in the
region of £10million. I believe we should be seeking an assessment of the cost
effectiveness of the road repair budget. The repairs on May Hill commenced
in February of this year and would undoubtedly have been completed had the
TT been run. 8 months on and this section is still unfinished.
Traffic Management
The arterial roads of Ramsey are no longer capable of coping with today's traffic.
We have heavy goods vehicles entering and leaving the town through residential
areas together with increasing car traffic.
It is not too late to take a radical approach to creating measures
to improve traffic flow. Consideration must be given to the Stone
Bridge joining North and South Ramsey. This was never constructed
to cope with the level of traffic it presently handles. There is
an urgent need to develop another river crossing in Ramsey and examine
the possibility of a ring road.
In attracting businesses and guests to Ramsey we must address the
developing problem of car parking. There is a need to consider multi-story
as well as traditional car parking on appropriate sites.
People are worried about the speed of traffic on our roads and importance
must be placed on the safety and welfare of those living beside busy
thoroughfares. To date the police have appeared to be reluctant to
use speed cameras. Their installation throughout the island is long
overdue.
Care of the Elderly
Ramsey has a large population of elderly people. There is an increasing need
for care accommodation and the obvious place for the development is the old
Queen's Hotel site, now lying in a state of dereliction. We need to fill in
these "gaping teeth" across the town, and a facility there would give those
residents a convenient link up with Cooil ny Marrey and Cummal Mooar.
With the ever increasing number of elderly people we need to try
to ensure that careers within the home receive the support they deserve.
Infirmity becomes a disability when it is difficult to access shops
and I believe we should introduce grants whereby small businesses
can create suitable disabled access.
Children & Young People
I would like to see further assistance such as tax relief on
childcare costs being introduced by Treasury and a scheme of assistance
developed by the Department of Health and Social Security to allow
a parent to remain at home during their child's formative years,
such as exists in France.
The Youth Clubs of Ramsey operate most successfully within the
town. Sporting facilities and clubs are thriving, but there are always
those who do not wish to participate in organised activities.
In accordance with the recommendations of the Report on Law and
Order 1996, we need to extend "the provision of local centres for
the unstructured social activity of young people" by finding a permanent
location for the drop-in provision currently provided by Beryl's
Bus. The reduction of juvenile crime in Ramsey has been directly
attributable to this facility.
The town cannot continue ignoring the pleas of youth for a Skate park
facility in Ramsey. If the provision of an appropriate site can be
made, funding for the equipment will be found.
Swimming Pool
A decision is soon going to have to be reached about the development of a new
swimming pool. I would suggest that it should be a phased development of the
multi-purpose entertainment complex I suggest siting on the Peveril Plot, thus
providing all manner of recreational facilities in that area. We should consider
the incorporation of a bowling alley at the same time.
St Mary's Church, Ballure
Whilst geographically tucked away, St. Mary's is at the heart of Ramsey for
many people. I would like to see the Church relinquish its hold on the building
and allow people of Ramsey to make use of it, possibly as a small cultural
or concert facility with car parking on the adjacent undeveloped land to give
improved access.
Motorcycle Museum
We should not accept that the proposed new Motorcycle Museum should be in Douglas.
I have written to the Chief Minister to suggest that this be constructed in
Ramsey. Parliament Square still acts as the convenient bikers' gathering place
before tackling the mountain. It is obvious that we could best accommodate
this museum in Ramsey on the Albert Road School site shortly to become available.
The Port
The port of Ramsey is fortunate to be the base for two active shipping companies
as well as having its own shipping yard, all to be encouraged. Regrettably,
fishing, which should have benefited from the extension of territorial waters
from 3 to 12 miles has failed to do so because of inadequate support for this
industry, a situation I would seek to change.
Tourism
We can all play our part in drawing tourists to Ramsey by creating an attractive
environment. Our promenade should be for leisure and pleasure. The removal
of industrial equipment from the promenade area is essential to allow freedom
of approach to the stone pier and south shore and re-introduce recreational
use of this area. Our natural environment lends itself to the development of
specialist holidays such as hill walking, bird watching, fishing etc., whilst
the regeneration of a strong retail sector will also be of benefit to tourism.
The Environment
Whilst appreciating the need for an incinerator, I do not agree with its proposed
location. We need to be constantly assured that the emissions from the plant
are filtered to the highest degree to minimise any potential health risks.
We must also ensure that we have firm arrangements for the safe disposal of
the ash.
The construction of an incinerator does not replace the need for the ongoing
good practice of re-cycling and I would support more resources being applied
to re-cycling programme's.
The introduction of a Clean Air Act is overdue. Air pollution is
clearly visible over Ramsey and other towns of the Island. It is
time that we introduced grant schemes for the conversion of grates
to burn smokeless fuel together with an introductory period of subsidised
fuel.
Sellafield
The confirmation that Sellafield Nuclear Re-Processing Plant is to go ahead
with the development of the MOX Plant is of grave concern. Recent disclosure
that Sellafield is not secure is alarming as is the information that a possible
attack could release 2.5 times the radioactivity of Chernobyl. Continuing to
re-process nuclear waste knowing that they are imposing the disposal of radioactive
waste on future generations is indicative of the greed, arrogance and irresponsibility
of British Nuclear Fuels Limited. In alliance with the Nordic Territories,
Eire and other like minded countries we must fight to fulfil Government Policy
and have this Plant closed.
Quality of Life
To many people the quality of life we enjoy in the Isle of Man is of great
significance.
There are numerous factors which influence it, identity, culture, population
and an effective infrastructure to name but a few. However, unbridled immigration
can steadily undermine the qualities we treasure. Consequently I favour the
implementation of the provisions of the Residency Act as a means of ensuring
effective control of this issue.
Printed from the IoM Elections Website. www.iomelections.com
REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE ACT
1995
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