In an historic move, Arbory and Rushen Parish commissioners will join forces and form one body to govern the parishes.

It makes the authority the second largest in the south, by population, after Port Erin.

However, its administration costs will be the lowest in the south.

Amalgamation has been on the cards since Phil Gawne, previously Rushen MHK, became commissioners’ clerk to both authorities in 2017.

Local authority reform island-wide has being discussed for decades, and there has been numerous attempts by various governments to impose a way of reducing the number of local authorities, but none ever gained enough support.

The only change of note has been a reduction from 24 to 22, which came about through the voluntary merger of Lonan, Laxey and Maughold commissioners, to form Garff, in 2015.

Prior to that Onchan parish district and village district combined in 1986, a move followed by the rural and urban entities of Michael in 1989

The new Arbory Rushen board will have three commissioners representing each area and will meet monthly to start with.

A new deputy clerk, Colin Kniveton, former chief executive of several government departments, has been appointed to relieve some of the administrative burden from Mr Gawne.

The advantages for ratepayers are manifold, said Mr Gawne.

The merger will result in a full day per week of administrative duplication being saved, freeing up the clerk’s time to deliver better services.

The move is expected to be cost neutral in the first year and it is expected that some savings will be generated in future years.  A key advantage will be greater strength through unity.

Arbory Parish Commissioners’ chairman, Stephen Gawne said: ’The commissioners received very positive feedback to their letter requesting parishioners’ views.

’Only a small minority of people expressed any concern over the merger, and their concerns were primarily over the potential loss of identity for the two parishes.

’I can confirm that the parishes’ identities will be maintained following the merger, and both boards feel that combined we will be in a stronger position to fight off unwelcome advances from our neighbours.’

He referred to the dispute with Port Erin over the Ballakilley housing development.

Port Erin has made a claim to extend the boundary and absorb all the houses into its area resulting in a hike in rates for householders currently in Rushen.

An inquiry sided with Port Erin. However, Rushen subsequently put in a counter claim to extend its boundary to include Port Erin’s houses in the estate.

Mr Gawne said: ’Port Erin has a long record of coming after new development in Rushen to boost its income. Rushen offered to negotiate in mid July, Port Erin so far have not responded to Rushen’s offer.

’Port Erin Commissioners have agreed to a Department of Infrastrcture-hosted meeting but only after making very uncharitable remarks about Rushen’s motivation.’

If Rushen wins its counter claim it will become the largest authority in the south.

As the authorities lie in two different Keys constituencies. Is there concern about confusion over representation? Mr Gawne said it is ’possibly good news as we’ll have four MHKs to help us.’

He added the merger has wider implications: ’As a larger authority, providing similar services but more efficiently, people looking to reform will now have to look at cost structures of larger authorities, rather than automatically assuming the parishes should be amalgamated.’