In the spirit of closer collaboration between local authorities Port Erin has offered to do the deputy clerk’s role for Rushen parish.

Rushen advertised the role saying once the deputy is appointed clerk Phil Gawne will reduce his hours.

The move would enable Mr Gawne to use his skills and experience to undertake the roles of political and financial support, while the deputy clerk would provide general administrative assistance.’

Mr Gawne is also clerk at Arbory. Rushen and Arbory are investigating a closer working relationship to provide greater efficiencies.

At an authority meeting on Tuesday, Port Erin clerk Jason Roberts said: ’When we wrote to Rushen Parish Commissioners offering administrative services as an alernative, this is a similar role. It is in keeping with working closely with other authorities.’

Commissioner Phil Crellin questioned who would carry out the work for Rushen.

Mr Roberts said it would be ’dealt with’ by their administrative and finance officers’.

In the job advertisement, Rushen said the role was 20 hours’ work per week.

Mr Roberts said the number of hours ’needs to be discussed’, adding: ’Whether it needs that depends on the level of work and requirement because we do similar work.

’I’d like to think the other party [Rushen] would like to discuss this before continuing with a formal process.’