Another Peel commissioner challenges official account of beach stage decision

Stuart Hardingham says vote took place as conflicting accounts continue to emerge

A Peel Town Commissioner has disputed a statement from the local authority that a vote on the beach stage did not take place.

Stuart Hardingham told Manx Radio he believes a vote was held, and says it was carried six in favour and one against.

He says he was away at the time the statement from Peel Town Commissioners was circulated, and would not have supported it.

Manx Radio contacted all members of Peel Town Commissioners to ask whether they had approved the statement and whether they supported its contents.

Commissioners Alistair Cubbon-Wood, Sharon Lambert and Christine Moughtin confirmed they had signed off on the statement and supported it.

Manx Radio has since learned the statement was drafted by Commissioner Advocate Long Humphries at the request of Chairman Ray Harmer.

Mr Hardingham says he has since spoken to the clerk, who maintains that "no vote took place".

However, Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall - who was present at the meeting in question - has also confirmed that a vote did take place, twice.

The comments come as part of an ongoing dispute between Peel Town Commissioners and Commissioner Katryna Baptist who has raised concerns with regards to governance, transparency and accountability within the local authority.

Her initial claims suggested minutes were inaccurate or incomplete and conflicts of interest were not being taken seriously.