A councillor has lodged a motion seeking ‘categorical assurance’ from the government that the Isle of Wight Council remains a ‘stand-alone’ authority.
Councillor Michael Lilley’s proposal follows controversial Whitehall devolution plans, which were unveiled in December and are currently under consultation.
Councillor Lilley’s motion seeks to defend County Hall’s status as an independent unitary authority.
It will be voted on at County Hall’s full council meeting at 17:00 this evening (Wednesday).
Speaking today, the Liberal Democrat representative for Ryde Appley and Elmfield said ‘recent correspondence’ from the Minister for Local Government to council leader Phil Jordan ‘strongly indicates’ the government sees the Isle of Wight Council as having a ‘strong exceptional case’ to remain independent.
Councillor Lilley’s motion reads:
“Isle of Wight Council resolves to celebrate 30 years as an independent unitary authority by seeking categorical assurance from the government that the council remains a recognised stand-alone unitary authority in light of the recent announcement on devolution and Isle of Wight being part of the priority programme for Hampshire and Solent area.”
He said:
“My motion is about remaining a unitary authority alongside a regional mayor. I believe this combination will enable the Isle of Wight Council to access the funding it needs and tackle key issues such as ferries, health, social housing and opportunities for young people.
“The final submission to government for a regional strategic authority is dependent on a full council vote.
“Being at the negotiating table from the onset enables the Isle of Wight to get the right deal for our community and preserve our unitary authority status.
“The Labour government has a huge majority and they will get their devolution plans through and the council missing this bus would be detrimental to our residents.”
How Whitehall’s devolution and local government reorganisation plans relate to the Isle of Wight has become one of the Island’s most high-profile political fault lines.
Another motion to be voted on tomorrow ‘encourages’ County Hall’s leadership ‘not to rule out’ a merger with mainland authorities in reorganisation discussions with Hampshire and Solent partners.
Defending his proposal yesterday, Councillor Geoff Brodie said:
“The council’s finances are in a progressively worsening state. General reserves are falling, and adult social care costs are going through the roof.
“Without far more generous support from the government I would be surprised if the director of finance is not declaring what is in effect ‘bankruptcy’ within the next five years, with services further deteriorating or being cut entirely.
“The only solution is a merger with a mainland authority that has better business rates, less of a demand on adult social care services and which will help deliver economies of scale.”
Responding to Councillor Brodie’s motion, Cllr Lilley said:
“I think Cllr Brodie’s suggestion is a non-starter and would be a confusing unnecessary distraction. The council is a long way down negotiations on the premise we are a unitary authority and simply suggesting something at this stage which is different, would I believe be damaging.
“The council has budget issues, the same as most other local authorities and I believe regional devolution will be of benefit.
“Merging with another authority would in my view be unachievable due to economic realities of the Solent.”
Lilley is a mainlander, islanders should have the choice.
“Let Islanders vote to have their say”
Personally I have seen how bad the island is run and am
all for devolution, it cannot be any worse than what we
currently have!
We already pay one of the most expensive Council taxes
in the country.
We pay the most expensive green waste charges in the
country.
We have to pay a £2 nightly charge to park our vehicles
along seafronts.
We also have to pay to use public toilets, 50p in Sandown.
SO WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS BY STANDING ALONE!!!!!
Devolution for me, all day long.
I wish you would be quiet, Enough is Enough indeed.
Always painful to hear the truth.
Don’t like what you read, then don’t read it.
Lol
We need a stand alone council, but not the one we currently have that’s for sure, Jordans gang should allow us to vote, what they are doing is criminal, but then again do we expect any different.
Oh, please Mr Starmer, do not see me out of a job, I cannot find another on what the IOW pays me, so much for doing so little, I need to feel inportant like all the other lib losers.
Ok, so basically he’s in favour of devolution, but not with JB’s proposal added in. It’s muddying the waters a bit. Still, all proposals should be looked at in detail before anyone votes on anything. At least that’s two councillors who have publicly announced they want change. Devolution does not mean we merge with another council but that all councils come under one funding umbrella. That umbrella then has to be proportionate, so if, for example, we here have higher social care needs, we get a bigger purse to pay for it. In terms of economic growth within the region it will mean local businesses supplying local services rather than tendering for the absolute cheapest price from elsewhere, sometime abroad. Because…historically we have been underfunded and had to go for cheapest price which only ever lined someone else’s pockets. It goes like this: We pay Joe Bloggs in Sandown. He makes a profit. He employs Joe Smith. Joe Smith spends his wages on the Island. Or…We pay CheapestTender Inc. They pay gig economy wages to some bloke from Wiltshire. He spends it in Wiltshire. Their profits go offshore. The Minister in charge of the list of gov’t approved tenders has a brother-in-law who’s a shareholder.
Locality spending has never been a real thing although it has been tried in many areas of the UK and always failed, its another form of control, you only get the job if the money is spent locally, why should anyone dictate where I spend my hard earned for work carried out, All local authorties have a small and exclusive approved list of providers and contractors which in english means we the tax payer pay over the odds for any work provided, once you are on the list you have to do something very radical or upset your buddies on the council before you are taken off this list.
What do you mean “he is a mainlander. Islanders should have the choice”? Who do you define as an Islander? He represents an Island ward and lhas a home address is Ryde. Do you mean he wasn’t born on the Island? So what? Many of us are not Island born but we have chosen to move here and have been made hugely welcome by the overwhelming proportion of people. We spend our money here, pay our Council Tax here, engage in voluntary work for the benefit of th local population. If you are suggesting that only indiginous Islands should be able to choose then perhaps only indiginous Islanders should pay Council Tax?
This is a serious matter and not one that gains clarity from being used as an opportunity to express bigotry.
Why put motions forward if “CABINET” disagree and so why have council elections if the cabinet rule.
Oh the naivety of our leader leader Phil, time to resign old chum.