The Conservative Group of Councillors have launched a major public consultation with the Island community today (Monday) to develop ‘a shared vision for the future of our today’ – and say that the Council should be run like a business.
The explanatory document, which will be circulated and communicated to thousands of Island residents, businesses, charities, schools and service providers, asks 12 questions – the responses to which will help shape Conservative Group policies in the run-up to the next local council elections in May 2017.
The Conservatives say the consultation is about protecting and promoting the Isle of Wight and maintaining a safe and well looked after community for the benefit of all and is the first stage in a long, open dialogue with the Island.
Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Dave Stewart says:
“We want our Island to be the best place in the country to live and work. To achieve this vision we want to engage with all parts of our community – our residents, our young people, our businesses, everyone who has a stake in our Island to make this vision become a reality. We cannot simply moan about how tight finances are, as challenging as they may be, we need to change the way the Isle of Wight Council thinks and works so it can live within it’s means and still enable the community to create success.
”We need to embed a professional and business-like approach within the council; ensuring we‘re making the best use of all our resources in the most efficient way, working in partnership with the public, private and voluntary sectors, as we support our community and ensure essential services are delivered.
“We want this consultation to be genuine, to be deep and to be effective in helping us determine the right policies for the future of our Island”.
The 5 top priorities identified by the Conservatives include: protecting the community; preserving the environment; growing the economy; supporting Island residents and creating opportunity for all.
The launch of the document at the Riverside Centre, Newport was attended by the Island’s MP, Andrew Turner, as well as many Conservative Councillors. It highlighted the record of the current Independent administration and provided an alternative approach for the future.
Speaking at the launch, Cllr Bob Seeley said:
“We need sensible and good development to drive the Island’s economy. We need to get the balance right.
“We are looking for ideas from communities to develop the island appropriately and sensibly”.
Meanwhile Cllr Ian Ward said:
“The whole point of the Council is to serve our residents and we should be catering for their needs, so we need to know what their needs are. We need to know what their priorities are”.
Cllr Stewart added:
“If the current ‘Independent’ administration were to put half as much energy into innovative thinking about the way in which the Council could operate as they do into blaming others and talking down the Island’s prospects, perhaps they wouldn’t be in the mess they are in now. Blaming everyone else for the economic position is simply not good enough and needs to stop before even more businesses lose confidence and are persuaded not to invest here”.
“So, let’s move forward with a more positive approach, draw on the experience, knowledge and talent of all those in our communities who see a future for our Island and want to contribute their skills and ideas to help achieve it. We will do our part by working with Government, with our Island MP and with our Island community to address the current challenges and achieve our vision of success.
The questionnaire will shortly be published on the Conservatives’ website at www.islandconservatives.com/TheIslandConversation and will be followed by consultation meetings involving schools, colleges, businesses, charities, town and parish councils, and those who provide and use local services.
Initial responses are sought by 11th March.
A copy of the document can be found here: The Island conversation Final.
