Tynwald has given the go-ahead for a public inquiry into plans to reduce the number of commissioners on a village local authority.

Port St Mary Commissioners wants to reduce its membership from nine to five.

Tynwald last week voted unanimously for a public inquiry to be held into the proposal.

Post St Mary Commissioners has said it will pay the bulk of the cost of the inquiry, which will be held in public.

A scheme to reduce the authority’s elected membership was laid before this month’s Tynwald sitting.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer said after the inquiry, his department will consider the chairman’s report and determine whether an order be made.

If it does so, the order will be subject to Tynwald approval.

Port St Mary Commissioners held a by-election in August when Norman McGregor Edwards was elected.

The authority had hoped to avoid the cost of a by-election given the plan to reduced the board in size but had no choice after two residents requested one be held.