Katryna Baptist claims decisions "missing" from official records alongside communication and conflict concerns
A Peel Town Commissioner has publicly raised a series of concerns about governance, transparency and accountability within the local authority.
Katryna Baptist, who was elected in April 2025 after pledging to improve openness and communication with residents, outlined her concerns in a video posted on social media.
In the video, she says she continues to stand for “transparency and accountability”, but claims “not everyone in the board room is the same”.
Ms Baptist alleges ongoing communication difficulties involving the authority’s Clerk Derek Sewell, saying she has raised concerns both in board meetings and directly with the Chair “on numerous occasions”, but believes “nothing is being done about it”.
She also claims that official minutes of meetings are “often repeatedly inaccurate”, with some matters “recorded inaccurately” or “missing entirely”.
When Manx Radio attempted to look through the latest minutes, it found Peel Town Commissioners has not published any minutes since November 2025's meeting.
According to the local authority’s website, minutes of public meetings are published following their approval at the subsequent meeting.
According to Ms Baptist, opportunities to correct those records are limited, which she says affects what information is ultimately made available to the public.
One example she highlights relates to discussions about a beach stage proposal.
Ms Baptist says a vote took place “six in favour, one against”, but alleges that decision does not appear in the official minutes.
She says that when she raised the issue, she was told the vote had not taken place.
Ms Baptist describes this as “a big set up” and says it results in “me, my fellow commissioners and the media being accused of lying”.
She further alleges she has been “blocked” from raising concerns about recording meetings and improving minute-taking, claiming those discussions themselves have not been formally recorded.
The commissioner also raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest, which she claims are either “not declared or simply ignored”.
In her video, Ms Baptist says: “All is not well with the leadership,” and questions whether the authority is operating in a democratic way.
She adds that she remains committed to improving governance but describes the process as “such a struggle”, saying she is speaking out to ensure residents are aware of the issues she says she is encountering.
Manx Radio has contacted the Clerk of Peel Town Commissioners Derek Sewell, as well as the board of commissioners, for comment.
Peel Town Commissioners has told Manx Radio it is in the process of preparing a statement.
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