Onchan Commissioners could hold a by-election to replace former commissioner

It's also going to submit views on the Ørsted windfarm to government

Onchan Commissioners could hold a by-election to replace a former commissioner who resigned last week. 

It comes as the local authority met last night to discuss the latest issues affecting the village.

There was a discussion about whether to select a new vice chair following the resignation of former commissioner Fenella Logan.

It was agreed to wait until the next board meeting to choose a new deputy when Chair Zara Lewin is in attendance.

A by-election may also be held following the resignation, however the clerk is waiting for conformation from the cabinet office about whether this is necessary.

There is a six month window where by-elections can’t take place in the lead up to the local elections, however this is currently eight months away from when the notice was received.

The commissioners also discussed a public consultation into the Mooir Vannin Offshore Windfarm plans and what comment was received from residents.

The clerk said there were 13 against the development, four in favour and one who didn’t say either way.

He said after reading the document he couldn’t see anything which said the Island would get any of the energy generated by the development and couldn’t see any benefits for residents in Onchan.

Four of the five commissioners disagreed with the idea and suggested submitting a response against the plan to the consultation.

Acting Chair Robin Turton proposed that the board send a letter to the government and the two Onchan MHKs instead which was agreed to by the board.

A complaint was raised by Commissioner Derek Crellin that a report into special collections carried out by the local authority had not been completed and brought to the board in three months.

The collections are for items which need to go to the civic amenity site but is organised for residents who are unable to take them there.

Mr Crellin said it has been delayed due to Commissioner David Quirk not wanting the service to continue – he disputed this and said he was unhappy with the cost.

Mr Turton said a report should come to the board at its next meeting.

Mr Crellin also raised concerns about the process for the Tynwald Commissioner for Administration, and asked Mr Quirk who sat on the committee when this was passed to explain to him.

Mr Quirk asked for his queries in writing.

Commissioner Anthony Allen also apologised to members of the public for some recent ‘bad behaviour’ from other members, on behalf of the board.

The local authority will next meet on 9 September.

Subsequently Mr Allen has been in touch with the Local Democracy Reporting Service to say: "[I] apologised on behalf of the board, to members of the public for this evening's ‘bad behaviour’ by Commissioner David Quirk."

David Quirk has been contacted for comment.