UPDATED: Isle of Wight Council leader Ian Stephens has commenced a process of reorganisation of the council’s Executive including bringing about a number of structural changes to the allocation of responsibilities amongst Executive members. In addition fresh appointments will also be made to some committees.
This evening’s announcement has revealed that Cllr Richard Priest has been replaced by Cllr Jonathan Bacon as executive member for education and children’s services and Cllr Paul Fuller takes over from Cllr Bacon as executive member for planning and licensing.
Another notable change is the removal of Cllr Jon Gilbey from the post of executive member for human resources, being replaced by Cllr Gordon Kendall who has moved from his post as executive member for adult social care, health and housing.
Details of the Executive members and their roles announced so far are as follows:
Leader – Councillor Ian Stephens
- Deputy leader and Executive member for adult social care and community wellbeing – Councillor Steve Stubbings
- Executive member for fire an rescue services and public health and safety – Councillor Phil Jordan
- Executive member for education and children’s services – Councillor Jonathan Bacon
- Executive member for economy and tourism – Councillor Shirley Smart
- Executive member for sustainability – Councillor Luisa Hillard
- Executive member for planning and licensing – Councillor Paul Fuller
- Executive member for human resources and organisational change – Councillor Gordon Kendall
Details of the other Executive posts, the allocation of responsibilities and committee chair roles will follow in due course.
Councillor Ian Stephens, said:
“It is clear there are difficult times ahead as we face dealing with massive budgetary pressures in the next few months. I have decided upon changes as I need to ensure that we have the right focus to meet these challenges and to enable the Executive to work together as effectively as possible to this end.”
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UPDATE THURSDAY: Confusion from a press release and emails circulating has been cleared up by Cllr Phil Jordan on behalf of Cllr Ian Stephens this afternoon.
In an email to local media, it has been said that whilst Cllr Richard Priest has been removed from the Executive, Cllr Jon Gilbey has not. It is understood Gilbey has been given until next Sunday to decide whether or not he wishes to continue in a different role as part of the Executive committee.
In an email sent by Cllr Gilbey this morning, it was said that both he and Cllr Richard Priest had been dismissed from the Island’s Independent party, however neither have been told they are not members of the Independent group says Cllr Stephens.
It is understood serious allegations have been made by the Isle of Wight Council leader Cllr Ian Stephens with regards to the pair’s conduct over the capital contingency report – a report that has seen money allocated to Undercliff Drive and Totland Seawall.
