A notice of election has been issued by Malew Commissioners, as the authority seeks to fill posts after a series of resignations last month.

Three seats around the board table remain unoccupied after Bob Pilling, Barbara Brereton and John Brereton left the authority in July.

It effectively brought decision-making at the authority to a standstill, though day-to-day services have been unaffected.

Anyone who wishes to stand must hand in nomination papers at the commissioner’s offices in Ballasalla by August 20.

If contested, the election is scheduled to take place on September 12.

Vice-chair of the authority and one of the two remaining commissioners, Margaret Mansfield, told local democracy reporter Ewan Gawne what candidates can expect, saying: ’I was amazed by how much actually is involved.

’I don’t want to put anyone off because it’s really, really interesting.’

She said the big projects that commissioners were dealing with at the moment included plans for a Ballasalla by-pass, the completion of the Clagh Vane housing estate and the ’Ronaldsway gateway’, a government project.

As well as regular Commissioners’ meetings, the authority has a representative on groups including the Southern Swimming Pool, the Southern civic amenity site, the Municipal Association and Castletown and Malew Elderly Persons’ Housing.

Mrs Mansfield said the ideal commissioners would be hard-working and have an interest and understanding of what’s happening in the community.

’Time-wise, it’s as much or as little as they want,’ she said.

Mrs Mansfield said she hopes the vacancies will be filled.

’We hope to be up and running and flying by the beginning of October,’ she said.