The Standing Orders Committee of Tynwald has recommended changes to the parliamentary sitting calendar to avoid school holidays and adjust the start of the political year.
Following a consultation with members, the committee’s four key proposals include avoiding sittings during both the October and February half-terms.
To compensate, it recommends the branches begin sitting from the first Tuesday of October, except in an election year, and resume from the second Tuesday of January.
The report notes that while more members answered “No” to October half-term sittings than “Yes” by a narrow margin, the presiding officers could adjust the calendar using existing powers.
Committee Chair Juan Watterson SHK said: “Once the half term week is known, the sitting calendar can be adjusted to avoid this week.”
One member, Ms Claire Christian, filed a memorandum of dissent against the first recommendation.
She argued the consultation question was ambiguously framed, saying: “Some members may have read it as: ‘Should sittings be scheduled during half term?’ while others may have read it as: ‘Should sittings be allowed at all during half term?'”
The recommendations will now be considered by Tynwald.