The Isle of Wight Council will have a new leader later tonight (Wednesday) – but it remains to be seen who will take the helm of County Hall.
It follows the resignation of Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox — a role she has held since May 2021. She will officially step down as of 18:00 this evening.
At that time a leadership challenge will take place, with 2 candidates coming forward, so far. In the blue corner is Councillor Suzie Ellis, the Conservative Group leader. For the currently-in-control Alliance Administration, is Councillor Phil Jordan.
It all comes down to a numbers game though. Either side of the chamber needs to secure at least 20 votes to take control, but neither group have it on their own.
The Conservatives hold 16 seats; the Alliance 13. They will need to look for support from any of the following if they want to take the top spot and rule the council: the Empowering Islanders group (4 members); the Liberal Democrats (4); Labour (1) and Independent Labour (1).
Whoever is successful could hold the role of Council Leader until the next council elections in 2025.
Cllr Suzie Ellis
Suzie Ellis believes the council, and the Island, needs a change in leadership, to someone who is prepared to make the right and sometimes difficult decisions in a timely manner.
The Central Rural councillor has outlined 8 proposed priorities for the council, which will evolve to form a new corporate plan for the council.
- Set a robust and balanced budget – keeping council tax increases to the lowest possible level and continue the case to government for additional funding
- Create an effective children’s service and Education Team, while continuing to draw on the expertise of Hampshire County Council
- Tackle the crisis in school place planning – having regard of the need to avoid an adverse impact on the funding available for children’s education in viable schools.
- Seek consensus on the best way for the Island Planning Strategy – taking into account other pieces of legislation which are likely to come into force, while recognising the need for an up-to-date plan as soon as possible.
- Unlock the delivery of affordable housing, overcoming ‘internal cautiousness’ about investing £40 million, working with housebuilders and associations to come up with creative solutions and making use of public sector land.
- Secure progress in major regeneration projects
- Progress the implementation of the Climate and Environment Strategy, harnessing the potential of the Island’s UNESCO biosphere status
- Work with public and voluntary sector partners to improve joint working, joined-up services and the rationalisation of buildings and operating costs.
Cllr Ellis has said the Alliance has faltered and it is the Conservatives’ view change is now needed, which must go beyond just shifting positions within the Alliance.
If elected, she said she would continue to work with councillors across the chamber and form a cabinet only then, making no deals or commitments before then.
Cllr Phil Jordan
Cllr Jordan says the thing the council needs now is stability and continuity — something only the Alliance can bring as the incumbent administration.
The Ryde North West councillor says it would be foolish to try and change all the projects the Alliance has underway at this stage but the council has key targets to meet and achieve, which he is committed to getting completed and finalised as a matter of urgency.
It would not mean the Alliance would not be looking to carry on with more improvements for the Island, he said, in an austere and testing fiscal climate.
Cllr Jordan said they are ‘coming to a conclusion’ on the demands to government for fairer funding (the Island Deal), after years of cuts; having sent all the information to government and are now awaiting the outcome.
In the spirit of stability, Cllr Jordan said the Alliance will, without delay, put into place measures to resolve the issue of surplus school places, as it impacts staff recruitment; schools financially, and is forecast to continue years into the future.
Cllr Jordan also said they will finalise work to bring housing delivery by the council into effect — first addressing those living in temporary accommodation and providing permanent homes for families while tackling the ‘affordable homes conundrum’. The Island Planning Strategy would therefore be brought back to the council for approval.
The final chapter of the Floating Bridge saga would be brought to a close, the cabinet member for infrastructure and transport said, as plans for a new vessel are coming to fruition following the settlement the council received. A new way forward would be announced soon, dependent on engineers’ reports.
Cllr Jordan said the upcoming council budget will not be easy to set, with the authority making difficult and testing decisions.
However, Councillor Jordan was in the spotlight a few years ago when he had to step down as Executive Member for Public Protection when he was in court for drink driving.
All I can see is another expensive squabble, the usual balls up, and of course US footing the bill for it all, AGAIN!
Cllr Jordan!! Plans for a new Floating Bridge. OMG!! He is already planning to spend more money on another white elephant, be bold and build a bridge you may have a chance to redeem yourself.
Either will be bad for the island. A tory, no thanks, and a convicted drink driver, no way. Very sad when they are the only two people who are even considering it. Obviously both have some pockets that need lining. Utterly useless council, which will now continue whoever gets in.
Totally agree, shame no others interested, certainly don’t want Jordan but Conservative?. We need a local election not this band of odd ball’s in county hall. It’s not them that get money it paid officers that work hard with legal, Councilors then take credit. We don’t actually need them.
Keeping council tax rise to a minimum. NO NO NO, should read, council tax rise will be at a level we are allowed to by central government. Same old waffle. How about no council tax rises for next year and houses only for locals, min 5 years resident, and people moving here to work, doctors, nurses, dentists, professional people who would help make our lives better. Councillors are all the same, can you think of any stand out ones?
Yes. Jenna Sabrina and associates, for bringing about the Westridge Farm Campaign.
It does not matter who ‘takes the reins’ nothing will change, there will be wasted money, corruption and no investment in the Island.
We need a candidate who plans to cut costs, eliminate redundancy, close pointless departments that we do not need, decrease staffing levels, close down schools because we have too many places, and reduce council tax.
Cllr Ellis has already shown her integrity by her U-turn over Cllr Jarman. Hers is nothing more than a bid for power, whereas Cllr Jordan genuinely has the well-being of the Island at heart.
Jordan, caring for the island, really, how? By sneakily driving home drunk and hoping to not get caught again.
Totally agree and notice totally silence from Conservative keyboard warriors who pounce on any drink/drug related driver as the lowest of the low!… He is well known for drinking activities and has dodged the bullet many times and I doubt it taught him anything other than”take the back roads home”! We need an election not this bunch of self appointed numbties.
just anther over paid job Cut there wage bill by 50% and they will still be on a high wage but never mind the islands will just pay it
bob one, you ARE aware that councillors are unpaid volunteers?
Wrong! They are paid a set amount and other allowances. Lora Peacey-Wilcox received over £28k for the last financial year, which isn’t bad for a few hours every now and again.
What a Joke.
After seeing what a complete waste of money the Ryde Interchange was
Cllr Phil Jordan should be nowhere near County Hall
Just shows us islanders what a bunch of charlatans are spending our
hard earned cash.
Won’t make a blind bit of difference. They are all as bad as one another.
Does it matter, all hot air produced by liars and crooks
Yam you know how to tell when a councillor is lying .. their mouths move .. the only guarantee with this hopeless lot .. is that it will go from bad to worse .. a hopeless shambles
Wouldn’t we all be better off if none of these Bums were employed.
Who needs them!
They say that he or her that lives longest see most
Yay, a drink driver!! Exactly what the island needs in a leader!! Have we got any other criminals that can stand? Make it fair….
in 1991 as a Councillor I attended everyone of my meetings-only possible because I was self empmployed, I earnt just under 200 piunds that year and donated most of it to local Causes. 28 thousand seems astonishing despite the passage of time, though I have to admit that Councillors in both NZ and Aistraloa also earn vast sums. Perhaps thats why we dont have any real Leaders any more- its no longer regarded as a privilege to serve with prode