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.
5-WAY BATTLE FOR COWES SOUTH AND NORTHWOOD AS INCUMBENT DEFENDS SEAT
A total of 4 major political parties and an independent candidate are on the ballot paper for Isle of Wight voters in Cowes South and Northwood. Conservative councillor John Ulysses Anthony Nicholson is competing with Reform UK’s Gordon Adam, Wayne...
Read moreDetailsGREEN INCUMBENT DEFENDS SEAT IN 3-WAY RACE FOR RURAL WARD
Planning committee member Claire Critichison is facing opposition in her Isle of Wight Council ward of Chale, Niton and Shorwell. The Green Party incumbent councillor is in a contest to represent the area with Local Conservative candidate Anne Bishop and...
Read moreDetails4 CANDIDATES VIE FOR COWES NORTH AS QUIGLEY VACATES COUNCIL ROLE
The race to replace Richard Quigley MP as the councillor for Cowes North is being fought between Reform UK, the Conservatives, an Independent and the Labour Party. Confirmed candidates include Ian Arnold (Reform UK), Siobhan Michelle Barney (Local Conservatives), Richard...
Read moreDetailsBATTLE FOR BEMBRIDGE: TRIO SET OUT PITCHES AHEAD OF MAY ELECTION
A trio of candidates are vying to represent Bembridge at the Isle of Wight Council after the May 7 local elections. Residents can vote for Rowena Katharine Crichton-Stuart (Reform UK), Warren Adam Drew (Local Conservatives) or Mark Rochell (Liberal Democrat)....
Read moreDetailsEAST COWES ELECTION SHOWDOWN AS GREENS, REFORM UK AND TORIES TARGET INCUMBENT
The Greens, Reform UK and the Conservatives are seeking to unseat a former chair of the Isle of Wight Council in the upcoming local elections. Local Conservative Peter Ronald Ball, Reform UK’s Mark Andrew Stone and Christopher Byron Warleigh-Lack of...
Read moreDetailsINCUMBENT NICK STUART FACES 3 CHALLENGERS IN WEST WIGHT ELECTION CONTEST
4 County Hall hopefuls are facing off in the rural Isle of Wight Council ward of Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet. Kim Frances Jeffreys (Local Conservatives), Vincent Hamilton Speed (Reform UK), Nick Stuart (Liberal Democrat) and Ed Surridge (Independent) are on...
Read moreDetailsEX-REFORM COUNCILLOR FACES 3-WAY BATTLE TO HOLD CENTRAL RURAL SEAT
Ex-Reform UK Isle of Wight councillor Caroline Gladwin is fighting to hold onto her Central Rural seat in a battle with the Greens, Reform and the Tories. She is up against Julia Ann Laursen (The Green Party), Simon James Richards...
Read moreDetailsBINSTEAD AND FISHBOURNE SET FOR 4-WAY ELECTION BATTLE AS COUNCIL CHAIR DEFENDS SEAT
The chair of the Isle of Wight Council faces a challenge from Reform UK, the Green Party and a Conservative at the upcoming local elections. Voters in Binstead and Fishbourne have a choice of Ramesh Babu (Local Conservatives), Ian William...
Read moreDetailsPLANS FOR MAJOR REDEVELOPMENT ON NEWPORT OUTSKIRTS READVERTISED
A major development could see at least 19 homes built on the outskirts of the Isle of Wight’s county town.
Read moreDetailsPLANS SUBMITTED TO TURN NEWPORT OFFICE INTO 4-BEDROOM HOME
A Grade II-listed Georgian property housing vacant office space in the Isle of Wight’s county town could become a 4-bedroom home.
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