Isle of Man Government – Conservation Council works towards achieving priorities

The Isle of Man Conservation Board has worked hard to deliver on its priorities during a busy and challenging year.

Annual Report of the Board of DirectorsThe report, which will be presented at the Tynwald Council meeting in October, will focus on its performance between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021.

Glenys Johnston OBE, independent chair of the board, said cross-institutional collaboration and commitment had been key in what had been a challenging year. On 1 April 2021, Ms Lesley Walker took over from Ms Johnston.

The report sets out the Board’s achievements and identifies where further work is needed, while acknowledging the challenges posed by COVID-19.

The Board’s key achievements in 2019-2020 include:

• Completed an independent review of multi-agency safeguarding arrangements for adults
• Establishing a new Safeguarding Committee website, expected to be launched in 2021/22;
• Completed the first serious case management review for adults;
• Improve opportunities for multi-agency training by completing implementation of a new training portal.
• Commissioning a review of the Safeguarding Committee’s business team;
• Commenced work on updating the multi-agency safeguarding procedures for children and adults. This work has been impacted by COVID-19 but will be completed by the end of 2021 and the procedures will be published on the website.

New Chair, Ms Lesley Walker, commented:

“I have worked closely with all agencies and organisations across the Isle of Man Conservation Board to ensure effective collaboration and improvements in multi-agency conservation practice, despite any challenges we may face. Collaboration has always been at the heart of the Board’s work and I have seen a commitment from all agencies to advance work on our new priorities at a remarkable pace. I would like to thank Ms Johnston OBE for her work over the past three years, particularly during this extremely challenging period.

Chief Secretary Mr Will Greenhow said:

“This has been an unprecedented time and an extremely difficult year for the Island due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Board has ensured that the close working relationships established with all agencies, partners and stakeholders have been maintained, further developed and strengthened.

“Safeguarding is complex and discharging the board’s statutory duties inherently requires effective collaboration and engagement to ensure it remains ‘everyone’s business’.”