The leader of the Isle of Wight Council has announced changes to his Cabinet member portfolios.
Councillor Dave Stewart says the changes have been driven in part by the need for his deputy, Councillor Stuart Hutchinson, to lead on strategic finance and the Island’s coronavirus recovery plan.
Cllr Stewart has said:
“Our focus now is on delivering strong leadership for a safer community.
“I am pleased to say that with some adjustment to Cabinet responsibilities and the introduction of Councillor Brian Tyndall to the team, the council remains as strong as ever and will meet that focus.
“Our priority continues to deliver on the authority’s bold vision for the Island to be an inspiring place in which to grow up, live, work and visit.”
Councillor Tyndall’s arrival follows the decision by Councillor John Hobart to step down from his role as Cabinet member for environment and heritage to focus his remaining time this term on his local ward area of Carisbrooke.
Councillor Stewart added:
“The whole team joins me in thanking John for all his work on Cabinet and I am sure he will be there if we need to draw on his experience and assistance.”
Councillor Tyndall will be responsible for corporate resources which includes delivery of the council’s medium-term financial strategy, council tax and business rates, housing and council tax benefits as well as customer services and human resources.
The Cabinet consists of:
Councillor Dave Stewart — leader and strategic partnership;
Councillor Stuart Hutchinson — deputy leader, strategic finance and Covid-19 recovery;
Councillor Clare Mosdell — adult social care, public health and housing needs;
Councillor Paul Brading — children’s services, education and skills;
Councillor Wayne Whittle — regeneration and business development;
Councillor Ian Ward — infrastructure and transport;
Councillor Barry Abraham — planning and housing;
Councillor Steve Hastings — environment, heritage and waste management;
Councillor Gary Peace — community safety and digital transformation;
Councillor Brian Tyndall — Cabinet member for corporate resources.
One, in the line up, at least, akin to a Fox guarding the Hen house.
What is the business you have Zak, Perhaps the R&BD Cllr could assist you.
Or eliminate my business. Stick or carrot? The stick always the cheaper option.
Must be in a competitive category,
They are just rinsing every last penny everyone has worked there nuts off for. It’s ok as they have huge bonuses that would Cover 10-15 average house holds. These monkeys should be on minimum wage and see how long they last with their ever increasing tax’s. what do they do cut all adult services and mental health services and all other services the island needs. But still bleat on about no money in the coffers.
But remarkably able to pay for a architect and plan to build a new council office and that wrecking the biodiversity on the river medina plus a family business and lots of other businesses in the area so get a grip and get them out. We hold the right to a vote of no confidence.
In Northampton, where I now live, Northamptonshire County Council, in their wisdom, decided to build a brand spanking new office in the centre of Northampton. The previous out of town building (25 years old), was purposeful, with free parking for both staff and customers. It was easy to get to via the ring road, therefore, reducing traffic congestion during busy periods in the town centre.
While there wasn’t enough money ‘in the pot’, the board still decided to go ahead with the new town centre building, with not enough parking (only for the ‘select’ few) believing it would increase footfall.
After the new building was complete, residents found that the Council had overspent forcing Northamptonshire County Council declared itself bankrupt – the first authority to do so in 20 years. After years of financial mismanagement that resulted in debts of around £1billion, the Council twice forced to file a section 114 notice. This measure means it will no longer spend money on anything but essential services.
The executives of Northamptonshire County Council decided to go ahead with a new building even after residents campaigned that there was no money. Residents were told of significant cuts to adult, & children social care, yet, the executives still ‘found’ money to build the building.
The Isle of Wight Council need to seriously ask themselves whether by building a fancy new building will save money? Of course, it won’t.
Oh, and Northampton Borough Council ‘leant’ £10 million towards Northampton Football Club (Cobblers) to finish off its football stadium, only to find the money ‘gone’ with still an unfinished stadium.
Taxpayers/residents of the Isle of Wight should have an option to vote on whether the IWCC ought to continue with building a new office, or not. The IWCC has already announced its coffers have gone due to COVID-19. So where are they going to find monies for a brand new spanking building?
Something stinks.
Northampton Council couldn’t pull the skin off a rice pudding, as Councils go they are by far the country’s biggest laughing stock for mismanagement of internal funding with zero business insight or initiative.
It should be closed, finance staff and management sacked and incorporated into a successful Council.
Sounds familiar with our Isle of Wight Council then. Perhaps the same closure,sacking of finance staff and management and incorporated into a successful council would be the answer.
Yigaf, more than £3m of tax payer’s money has been spent on a “corruption” inquiry into a missing £10.25m loan from Northampton Borough Council to Northampton Town Football Club.
The borough council loaned £10.25m to Northampton Town Football Club to redevelop its stadium and nearby land. Still, the funds have seemingly vanished, leaving an unfinished stand and the football club almost going under.
The developer of the stadium, Howard Grossman, disguised his funding of former council leader David Mackintosh’s successful bid to become the Conservative MP for Northampton South.
The BBC discovered £37k in secret payments into David Mackintosh’s electoral fund from the company into which the bulk of the missing money disappeared.
As yet, the £10.25m is still unaccounted. Residents are having to contribute towards the debt by seeing cuts to critical services across the town.
Let’s hope that the Northampton F.c. survive this fiasco. We have a council here that throws good money after bad. We the council tax payer will have to pay for shortages by council tax increases, bigger car parking charges , deep cuts in services etc., You have my deepest sympathies
Many from both Northamptonshire County Council and Northampton Borough Council either resigned (were forced to), or were sacked.
April 2021 is when Northamptonshire County Council & Northampton Borough Council will merge into one unity council; something the Isle of Wight did with the closure of Medina Borough Council.
Gungadin, I agree with regards to zero business insight. Many years ago, IKEA submitted planning application to build a new store located immediately off Junction 15, M1. However, the cronies from Northamptonshire County Council & Northampton Borough Council declined planning, stating it would take footfall from Northampton town centre. Many locals, (including me) campaigned to allow IKEA as it has proved elsewhere that many ventures into a town nearby its site after they have had their meatballs. However, they refused planning.
Immediately after, IKEA put a planning application for a location at Bletchley, near Milton Keynes (about 16 miles from Northampton). It was approved as their council saw the benefit of attracting punters into Milton Keynes city centre. Well, it was one of the best decisions approved by Milton Keynes planning.
Northampton town centre is dead; its full of closed shops, betting shops, CostaPacket and charity shops. Once it was a thriving town with brands, such as M&S, BHS, Habitat, Debenhams, Beatties, House of Frazer. All but one (Debenhams) survives. Locals now travel to either, Milton Keynes, and Rushden Lakes; another ‘out of town’ shopping parks, both which are a 32 mile returned journey. The benefit of ‘out of town’ is that parking is free, and all the big brands are there, all in one place, all on one level.
Is the reason for Isle of Wight County Council to move premises as they do not have enough working space for all of their employees?
In recent months, COVID-19 has meant people have been working from their homes instead of offices. My challenge is, why spend money on new offices which may end up empty as workers may choose to continue to work from home?
I believe the Isle of Wight County Council is making a foolish decision if it goes ahead with its new building. What a waste of taxpayers money, especially when it doesn’t have enough money to balance its books following unforeseen costs from COVID-19.
I would encourage residents of the Isle of Wight to engage with Bob Seely and request to postpone plans for a new building until they have balanced the books.
One woman. This says it all. It’s about time ‘old boys clubs’ on the Isle of Wight were dissolved, in the cabinet and in business. Too many misogynists, funny handshakes, and consistent lack of respect, restraining woman on the Island to thrive and make a difference within the Council and in local business.
Safety in numbers, it greatly reduces the chances of them being shown up as the inadequate fools they are. I’ve noticed a few of the readership here suffer a similar affliction.
Forget to take our pills this morning, did we?
Good to see all those identified that need to be voted out next time.
Unfortunately, I doubt they will be. Those of us who care about the Island are outnumbered by those selfish people who don’t and only have self-interest at heart.
My personal congratulations to Cllr Wayne Whittle — regeneration and business development.
The right choice!
Good mate of yours ?
YET no one else’s it would appear.