An offer to meet Rushen Parish Commissioners to discuss the boundary extension dispute at Ballakilley has been accepted by Port Erin Commissioners.

But the acceptance comes with reluctance as Port Erin can’t see the point.

The invitation, from Stephen Willoughby, local government manager at the Department of Infrastructure, was discussed at a recent authority meeting.

Port Erin’s bid to extend its boundary to include all of the new estate at Ballakilley - and 78 homes on the Rushen side - was successful after a public inquiry was held.

Tynwald was asked to back a plan but the motion, by the Department of Infrastructure, was withdrawn after Rushen applied for a tit-for-tat boundary extension to include the 90 Ballakilley homes on the Port Erin side.

Mr Willoughby wrote the department has received a petition against an extension by Port Erin signed by Rushen residents who would see their rates jump by about £250 a year. The department wants to help the authorities ’reach an agreed position on the best way forward’.

Port Erin commissioner Phil Crellin said the meeting is ’a delaying tactic’, adding: ’It’s throwing it into the long grass. It is no good for Port Erin and no good for Rushen Parish Commissioners. It’s hanging over us. It seems ridiculous it’s been taken out of our hands.’

Chairman Godfrey Egee said: ’I mirror your concerns, we should move forward rather than stagnating.

’There have been a number of emails, letters, meetings and discussions with Rushen on moving forward together, we are getting nowhere.’

Clerk Jason Roberts said he had an email from Rushen saying they ’welcome the opportunity to discuss the matter,’ the local government unit said at the meeting it would be ’prudent’ to have an independent person, such as the minister or a representative from the Department of Infrastructure. Mr Roberts said they met Rushen five years ago to discuss this. They should have someone independent there or the same will happen again.

Nick Watterson said: ’We want the houses, they want the houses. Other than writing to Rushen and asking "is there any way of seeing this go forward?" there is no point.

Views

’I don’t know if the independent chairman (at the inquiry) would consider this, they had an inquiry he might not take it up.’

Mr Egee asked: ’Do we want to ask Port Erin residents for their views on Ballakilley?’

Mr Roberts said: ’Everybody had the opportunity at the public inquiry.’

Barbara Guy said this is ’an 11th hour tactic, there was plenty of time to do it before. It’s to delay it and try and get sympathy.’

Mr Egee added it is ’disappointing they did not years ago come forward with the same motion. It should go to Tynwald to decide.’

Mr Crellin said: ’I can’t see the point in a meeting. We can’t say no, we’d be hauled over the coals.’

He proposed they accept the invitation and was seconded by Gerry Callister.