The board of Santon Parish Commissioners has criticised Braddan chairman Andrew Jessopp for announcing the possibility of a merger between the two.

A statement from Santon says the ’implication of an imminent merger is inaccurate and, at present, unfounded’.

Talks about merging the two authorities in time for next year’s local authority elections first became public last week and Mr Jessopp said the move ’makes sense’.

However, speaking to the Manx Independent, the board of Santon Commissioners said: ’The release of information by Mr Jessopp of Braddan Commissioners relating to a recent meeting held with Braddan in private has been premature and misleading in that the talks were believed to be "in camera" and were certainly at an early and tentatively exploratory stage similar to the talks already held with Marown.

purpose

’The purpose of these talks with neighbouring local government authorities is to endeavour to ascertain if there would be any benefit to the ratepayers of Santon in joining a larger local government authority when Santon has lower rates and a predominantly rural population with minimal concentration of population.

’A merger would inevitably result in increased rates for an, as yet , unassessed and unproven benefit.’

Last week, after accusing Braddan Commissioners of showing them a lack of respect, Marown Commissioners distanced themselves from any potential merger.

Marown Commissioners said a merger was ’not an option’ ’It is our view that Braddan is an eastern authority and would not bring sufficient benefit to a Marown/Santon merger as they were not of a similar residential and commercial outfit as us’

’We would like to confirm and reassure Marown parishioners that we shall not be joining forces with Braddan or Santon, either individually or together, to form a Middle parish.’

There are 21 local authorities in the island. Last year Arbory and Rushen merged. Laxey, Maughold and Lonan merged in 2016.