Several key decisions were taken by County Hall’s executive on Thursday evening, looking at issues from double yellow lines to vaping.
Though the government’s devolution plans were centre stage at the meeting, council leader Phil Jordan and 6 other cabinet members approved additional agenda items covering issues including an Island anti-poverty strategy, free bus travel, speed limits, public health, electric vehicle charging points and school funding arrangements.
The cabinet decided not to approve new double yellow lines on Newbridge’s Main Road.
Councillor Jordan said:
“We’ve had representations, particularly from the town and parish council, that the intention to impose double yellow lines under a Traffic Regulation Order at Shalfleet isn’t required, is not the best solution and that we should not approve it.
“It’s not what the community wants or needs.”
Speaking in favour of the approved Isle of Wight Poverty Reduction Strategy 2024 – 2029, cabinet member for adult social care and public health Debbie Andre said:
“We do recognise that there are many residents on our Island that are experiencing levels of poverty that perhaps we have not seen before.
Article continues below this advertisement “We resolved as an administration that we would do something about this.”
The strategy contains three priorities: targeting support for Island residents experiencing poverty now, support Island residents to help prevent them falling into poverty and ensure long term support is planned and delivered in partnership.
A tobacco control report from director of public health Simon Bryant, ‘Let’s Make Smoking History’, and Councillor Andre’s report on the future leadership and management of the council’s public health functions, including a recommendation to directly employ a director of public health and public health team, were passed unanimously.
Mr Bryant said:
“The use of tobacco is causing ill health. But still we haven’t got our rates as low as we’d like them for improving the health of the population.
“In the report you’ll see I’ve also focused on vaping – it’s an important issue.”
In addition, the cabinet voted to approve continued free bus travel policies for vulnerable, disabled and older Island residents as well as their travelling companions and three Speed Limit Review (SLR) proposals.
The proposals are for the approval of Island Roads’ SLR report, a resulting three to five years works programme and a review of the council’s speed limits policy in line with the Department for Transport’s National Speed Limit.
A cabinet report on the Speed Limit Review said:
“Reducing vehicle speeds significantly reduces the number and severity of collisions.
“The overall aim is to establish speed limits and associated infrastructure that are appropriate for the Island and for all road users.”
Cabinet members also voted to progress with the procurement of a £1,625,000 electric vehicle charging point contract and a school funding formula and grant budget.
Councillor Andre said in reference to the contract:
“I think it will be of benefit not only to Island residents, but I think it will make us more attractive as an Island for people coming over.”
A cabinet report setting out the school funding formula and grant budget was presented to the meeting by Councillor Jonathan Bacon.
It said:
“This report sets out arrangements for the Isle of Wight pre-16 mainstream school revenue funding formula for the 2025/26 financial year, and the setting of the wider Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for approval.
“The formula has been proposed following principles agreed by the Schools Forum during 2024/25 financial year, following consultation with individual schools, and replicates the national funding formula values used to allocate funding to the local authority.
“Schools funding is provided through the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), which is made up of four funding blocks: schools, early years, high needs, and central school services, with restrictions on the use of funding allocated to each block.”
Speed Camera’s like the ones Sadiq Khan uses is needed
to STOP SPEEDING, otherwise drivers will just ignore
20mph road signs, like the do along Godshill High Street
and Brading High Street.
If motorists receive heavy fines and points in the
post that will STOP motorists speeding.
Also the money raised from fines can go into the
Councils pot.
Have got nothing better to do?
you are hell bent on stopping traffic from moving parking and stopping
you either work for the council or are a very spiteful sad individual.
Neither. I have just had enough of
Stupid B’stards breaking the law.
Rules are Rules, but no one adheres to the rules,
hence measures need to be put in place.
A motorist recently got caught driving along
30mph Yaverland Road doing 71mph
“SHOCKING”
At least that idiot got caught, but every day
along most Roads motorists are speeding,
hence more measures need to be put in place to
catch these morons.
London style speed Camera’s would solve the
problem, unless the island wants to employ
more Police to catch the speeding culprits.
All I want to see is a safer place for our children.
Made me laugh when I read about Vaping and
Smoking.
I have travelled the world including New York
which as a very large population, not to
mention all the tourists who visit NYC from
around the world, and there are more persons
Vaping and Smoking on the Isle of Wight than
anywhere else.
I personally believe it is lack of education,
what other excuse is there.
We all know it is not good for ones Health.
It is shocking how many care workers and NHS
workers who vape and smoke.
(Should know better).