Norman McGregor Edwards is Port St Mary’s newly elected commissioner after securing 277 votes at Friday’s by-election.

Candidates Jill Hamilton gained 85 votes and Karene Thewliss had 84 votes.

The turnout was high, at 28.8%, reflecting the great number of issues that have dogged the village in recent months.

There were concerns over a 5.2% rate, the resignation of commissioners’ clerk Alastair Hamilton, the cancellation of a kerbside recycling contract and controversy over the purchase and refurbishment of Manxonia House.

Mr McGregor Edwards, a retired civil servant, said: ’I’m pleased to be elected, I was surprised at the size of the majority, it reflects people have genuine concern over what has happened in the last six months.

’There was the surprise around the rate rise and the purchase of Manxonia House. People felt the board was disconnected and struggled to find basic answers.’

He added: ’There’s a very good document the board has produced setting out the strategy for the next few years. One of the things in it is encouraging communication.

’It makes the board accountable and is going to be reviewed. One of the things is producing a newsletter, I’m keen on that.’

He said that Manxonia House being put on the market was not the end of the story.

’If they haven’t already got it, Commissioners need a plan B for if it doesn’t sell and a plan C for if it doesn’t sell at the right price.

’Putting it on the market is not the end of the story, there needs to be a discussion about what to do if they don’t sell it. It is important we get our money back.’

On the question of rates, Mr McGregor Edwards said: ’I have not said I will reduce the rates because you can’t say that, we don’t know things like what the wage settlement is and that is set by governmen. We must streamline as much as possible. If there are reasons for an increase explain why.

’At least people know and if they are not told they will make up reasons. I don’t fully understand reason for the 5.2% rate rise, none of the reasons given have been said with any real authority.’

He added: ’The board is divided and sometimes what has been said at public meetings is ill-mannered and this is not in the best interests of the village.

’It’s for commissioners themselves to make them work together or it is not good and together they are more effective.

’People want good management and people want to see it because of the uncertainty.’

The by-election was forced following requests by Mrs Hamilton with her husband, former clerk at Port St Mary Alastair, and commissioner Alec Merchant.

The names were made public after commissioner Ian Skelly submitted a Freedom of Information request.

The election fills a seat vacated when Richard Ashcroft stood down. As the village authority has decided to reduce the board size from nine to five members, it had hoped to avoid the cost of a by election (up to £4,000).

Mr Skelly said: ’I’m straightforward and plain speaking, I stood on the ticket of transparency and openness.

’I thought people had the right to know. I asked for it to be made public at a meeting and it wasn’t, so I submitted the Freedom of Information request.’

Mr Merchant said: ’Until government approves we are going to five members, there should be an election anyway. I opposed reduction in the size of the board. I would have expected seven.

’Those authorities which have five are small, rural authorities with not much infrastructure like a town hall.

’When a board is small it threatens to be undemocratic.’