Douglas councillors have criticised social media posts which attack them for issues beyond their control.

The comments came after a number of claims and comments were made on social media in the run up to last week’s Derby Ward by-election.

Housing chairman Councillor Claire Wells said some of the comments were devastating to read and said posts she had seen were not factual.

Mrs Wells said despite the wide range of issues raised on social media, she has had not one call in the last 12 months relating to damp in council-owned premises, believing people instead prefer to run down the work of council staff online.

Council leader David Christian added to the criticism of some of the comments posted online and asked tenants, if they have damp or any other issues with their homes, to get in contact with the council.

Mr Christian also defended the council from comments made by candidates in the by-election who he said don’t know what the council can and can’t do and what it is and isn’t responsible for.

He noted that one candidate had criticised the pavements around Douglas but said that it is an issue beyond the remit of the council, as this was taken over by the Department of Infrastructure some years ago.

With the by-election being held on the day after the council’s October sitting, several members noted it would have been worthwhile for those who were standing to have attended to gain a greater understanding of what the authority does.

In last week’s by-election, Councillor Devon Watson and Councillor Sam Hamer were elected to represent Derby Ward until May next year. There were four candidates for two vacant seats.

When the next council is elected, the ward system will be replaced with the council following the Keys constituencies of Douglas North, South, East and Central.

The number of councillors will also be reduced from 18 members down to 12.

While Mr Watson and Mr Hamer will represent their wards, they may not actually sit on any of the council’s committees.

After a question from Councillor Andrew Bentley, Mr Christian confirmed there are no vacancies on any committees as per the council’s constitution and it would require a member to resign to create an opening.

Mr Christian also confirmed the by-election cost ratepayers £6,000 plus a small amount for other costs.