An inquiry’s to be set up looking at whether Peel Commissioners can cut the size of their board.

The local authority’s planning to cut numbers from nine to just seven elected members – if the plans get the go-ahead, the town’s next election would be in April 2016.

In Tynwald next month, the court will be asked by Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne to approve rules governing an inquiry which would hear evidence about the proposals.

The rules, under the Inquiries (Evidence) Act 2003, would mean the inquiry would be carried out using courtroom rules – with evidence given under oath, in public and protected from civil proceedings.