Manx Utilities has announced a major investment in a new metering system, the first stage of which will be to replace ageing key meters with new smart meters, which can be topped up online and over the counter to ensure full accessibility.

It’s hard to remember a TV programme about the Isle of Man that has stirred up as much controversy as ITV’s ‘Best Little Prison in Britain’ docusoap about life in Jurby Jail.

The response from the public has ranged from abject fury to tacit approval. Paradoxically many of the concerns were for the image it portrayed to the outside world rather than the rights and wrongs of the prison regime.

Whether it has any long-term effect on how the Island is perceived is difficult to answer. Not too long ago Victoria Road jail in Douglas was notorious throughout the British Isles for its strict regime and appalling, insanitary conditions. Ironically its replacement at Jurby is now giving the impression of a Butlins style holiday camp set in a rural idyll.

As in a these so called TV reality shows the truth hovers uncomfortably in no-man’s land between the portrayal of a real life situation and the TV company’s desire to provide uncomplicated, titillating entertainment to its audience. The tone and content of what is portrayed is what the editors choose to include. In the case of this particular series any collateral damage to the greater reputation of the Isle of Man itself is secondary.

How the programme has been received by UK TV critics hints at a general sense of bewilderment. In the Telegraph Jasper Rees says: “The title jauntily evokes a fictional Texan whorehouse, which feels a tad inappropriate before we’ve even started.” He adds: “At 22 minutes an episode it doesn’t ask or answer any searching questions about how this weird island jail has anything to teach us on the mainland.”

Carol Midgley of The Times was equally nonplussed: “There was an oddly light-hearted, upbeat tone to this documentary, which opened with Andrew arriving at prison as cheerily as if he was checking into a spa. It was quite entertaining.” Despite being entertained her take on the Isle of Man per se was less enthusiastic: “They lock people up for weird reasons here. Former inmates had been guilty of failing to display a tax disc and a man throwing a glass of water in his wife’s face during a row.”

Christopher Stevens of the Daily Mail stated:“This was all amiable and jaunty, and Stephen Fry’s voiceover very carefully neglected to mention that Jurby prison was criticised by the chief inspector of prisons in 2011: its ‘lack of bureaucracy’ and ‘too casual approach’ led to violent bullying and a rampant drugs problem. The closest we got to a glimpse of Jurby’s reality came after inmate Goldie, a man with ‘thug life’ tattooed across his beer belly, tried to conduct his own courtroom defence. Charged with actual bodily harm, he talked himself into a five-year sentence.”

Whichever side of the fence you sit in respect of this programme the chances are it will – in fairly short time – become the TV equivalent of yesterday’s newspaper; yet another bit of quirkiness about the Isle of Man. The only disappointment is we won’t be able to use it to wrap our chips. 

Meanwhile political attempts in Tynwald to have the final episodes removed are laughable. Far from rescuing the Island from any further embarrassment, they inevitably draw parallels with countries like North Korea and Iran.

Pack away the shorts and tee shirts for another year and book the venue for your Christmas party!

This month B365 looks at how creating your dream living space can be a shrewd investment.

Digital Isle of Man, an Executive Agency within the Department for Enterprise, is seeking input on proposals to develop a Manx International Lottery.

Jersey based LV Care Group, the adult health and social care services provider, has launched in the Isle of Man. The premium care provider will be headed up by Ann Sharvin who is well-known within the Island’s care industry.

There was some good news on the economic front recently, when the Manx Treasury revealed that income was significantly better than had been predicted for the financial year to the end of March. The figure of  £1,066 million was around £20.5 million up on estimates, and £31.1 million ahead of the comparable 2018 figure.

Amid all the gloom and doom surrounding Brexit on the adjacent Isle it was a welcome boost for the Manx Government as it battles to best position the Isle of Man in an ever-changing global market.

It was particularly encouraging to see a sharp increase in income tax receipts – up £14.5 million to £238 million. Ultimately it is jobs and people that will drive the economy and this increase is evidence that things are moving in the right direction.

Treasury Minister, Alf Cannan, has pointed to the level of diversification in the Manx economy and to the strong performance of the e-gaming, insurance and ICT sectors.

There’s little doubt that these are the star performers at the current time, but as Mr Cannan knows the climate can change in a flash. The constant search for new business opportunities and potential revenue sources must continue relentlessly in order to safeguard our future.

The success of the economy in the face of external pressures is a positive in many ways. It can also help the government in its bid to attract new talent to the Island. Sending out a message that the Isle of Man is a dynamic, prosperous community is a powerful lure to entrepreneurs and skilled individuals.

Nobody would suggest that the Isle of Man is quite the land of milk and honey it was before the crash, but the fact that it continues to defy international trends year on year, is something to be happy about and can at least generate an air of positivity.

This month B365 looks at the range and variety of corporate hospitality and events options you can consider and feature a number of the companies that provide a wide range of related services.

The Isle of Man Ship Registry has been placed first in the 2018 Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control White List. The Paris MoU ranking is provides an independent verification of the standard of the Manx fleet in comparison to other flags.

Manx Government accounts have shown a surplus of over £30 million for the financial year ended March 31st. The news has been welcomed by Treasury Minister, Alfred Cannan, but he said there was no room for complacency.