Malew commissioners have called for an investigation over fears that decisions were made in recent months without official approval.

The authority’s internal auditors, Alexander Elliott, will be asked to review a series of events which chairman Nigel Bazley says may have broken rules.

It relates to an employment matter, where Simcocks Advocates was asked to act on behalf of the authority, despite there being no board resolution to do so.

No record exists of the commissioners approving this action, which took place whilst clerk Barry Powell was off sick.

It comes after vice-chair Margaret Mansfield resigned at the start of this month.

Mrs Mansfield says she chose to depart as she felt she ’no longer had anything to contribute to the board’.

It leaves Janice Knighton as the only remaining commissioner from this period, as new chairman Mr Bazley was elected in a September by-election, along with Tanya Mackrell and Tim Chamberlain.

Mr Bazley wouldn’t be drawn on whether Mrs Mansfield’s resignation and the investigation were related.

He’s stressed: ’Nobody is saying anyone has necessarily done anything improper, but this board needs to know procedures were followed’.

Mr Bazley has also promised to publish the findings, whatever the outcome.

He said: ’I don’t know why she [Mrs Mansfield] resigned. She obviously feels something went on.

’Nobody is saying anybody has done anything illegal at this moment in time. All it is is there is a procedural thing that has gone on that we as new commissioners are not comfortable with.

’We’ve asked for clarification and this has led to this inquiry. It no way indicates that anybody has done anything improper.’