Rufus Pickles - Local Democracy Reporter
Rufus is the Local Democracy Reporter for the Isle of Wight, a role he took up in August 2024.
The role, which focuses on subjects such as council meetings, planning applications and matters of democratic interest, is funded by the BBC as part of the national Local Democracy Reporter Scheme - or LDRS.
LEADING EDUCATION OFFICER SAYS SCHOOL CLOSURE PLANS HAVE ATTRACTED ‘CONSIDERABLE INTEREST’
The leading education officer at the Isle of Wight Council has said controversial plans to shut 6 schools have attracted 'very considerable interest'. Speaking at the Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, Ashley Whittaker said the...
Read moreDetailsCONCERNS ABOUT INEQUALITY AND MENTAL WELLBEING RAISED OVER SCHOOL PROPOSALS
Social inequality and mental wellbeing concerns have been raised over the Isle of Wight Council’s school proposals. In separate questions posed at County Hall on Thursday evening, Councillors Joe Lever and Michael Lilley probed the council on whether it has...
Read moreDetailsRESTORATION WORKS AT LOCAL QUARRY COULD CONTINUE FOR 2 MORE YEARS
Work to restore land at an Isle of Wight quarry with tens of thousands of tonnes of fill material could continue for another 2 years. Supplier of construction and building materials, Wight Building Materials Ltd, has sought permission for more...
Read moreDetailsPARENTS TAKE TO THE STREETS IN NEWPORT IN PROTEST OF SCHOOL CLOSURES
Parents marched through Newport town centre this morning (Monday) in protest at County Hall plans that could see the closure of 6 primary schools. Holding placards reading ‘Small Local Schools are the BEST’, ‘Hey, STARMER, Help us Save our Schools!’...
Read moreDetailsCOUNCIL OFFICERS QUIZZED FURTHER OVER CONTROVERSIAL PLANS TO CLOSE LOCAL SCHOOLS
Islanders have quizzed council officers over the Isle of Wight Council's controversial plans that could result in the closure of 6 primary schools. The Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, held on Thursday, received questions from...
Read moreDetailsCOUNCIL’S PENSION POT GROWS BY £72.3MILLION IN 12 MONTHS
The Isle of Wight Council Pension Fund’s assets have been moving in a positive direction despite 'quite challenging' economic conditions. Investment assets rose in value by 10.6% - or £72.3 million - in the financial year 2023/4, according to the...
Read moreDetailsCOUNCIL SET TO OVERSPEND BY ALMOST £6MILLION ADMITS LEADER
The leader of the Isle of Wight Council has admitted that the council is currently forecast to overspend by around £5.7 million this year. Councillor Phil Jordan told a cabinet meeting last week that a lot of budgetary pressure was...
Read moreDetailsISLANDERS WHO REFUSE TO PAY COUNCIL TAX WILL PAY ADDITIONAL FEES WHEN TAKEN TO COURT
Islanders taken to court for not paying council tax will have to pay up to £128.50 in increased administration fees from next year. The Isle of Wight Council’s director of corporate services, Sharon Betts, decided earlier this week recommended an...
Read moreDetailsLOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION COMMENTS ON COUNTY HALLS’ PLANS TO CLOSE SCHOOLS
A national body has stepped into the possible school closures furore, saying few politicians are brave enough to go where the Isle of Wight Council is going. The Local Government Association (LGA), an organisation representing local authorities across the UK,...
Read moreDetailsVECTIS HALL’S 19TH CENTURY WALL THAT WAS ‘SEVERE SAFETY RISK’ DEMOLISHED
A 19th century Ryde school wall posing a 'severe safety risk' has been demolished. Ryde Town Council has sought listed building consent for the removal of the masonry wall of Vectis Hall, a Grade II listed building first built in...
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