Island Echo always welcome letters, which may of course not reflect the views of the publication and its staff.
Letter to Council Leader Phil Jordan – 24th March 2024
“Cllr Jordan, “Why may I ask have you broken your election manifesto to protect the green-fields of Ryde? “In a press release on Wednesday 28th April 2021, you are quoted as saying:
“I have consistently stated that the infrastructure and roads are incapable of withstanding the increased effects of huge housing developments in Ryde. We are sleepwalking into a nightmare scenario where endless traffic jams and simply nowhere to park vehicles is becoming a reality.
Article continues below this advertisement “Finding a doctor or a dentist is already extremely difficult, and we know our hospital is unable to cope with patients being sent across the Solent already in increasing numbers. It has to stop now.”
“Tomorrow is too late; we must put a moratorium on large-scale developments in Ryde immediately.”
“Since being elected in 2021, however, you and your cabinet have fought relentlessly to push through an Isle of Wight Planning Strategy which supports a further 485 houses to be built in the area you pledged to protect. This is in addition to almost 1,000 houses which already have planning consent, including the controversial Westridge Farm which is subject to Judicial Review. “It seems that you are rather partial to breaking your word. On the 12th of February this year, you agreed to disclose an email which, if it exists, transfers the blame from you to the staff for withholding information relevant to the setting of an alternative budget. To date that email has not been disclosed. “At Cabinet on 14th March this year, you stated in public that you wanted the planning committee to be the decision maker regarding allocated sites. Behind the scenes, however, you fought me ‘hammer and tongs’ from carrying out the necessary amendment to the Draft Planning Strategy. “I found your subsequent assertion that you did not understand the meaning of para 6.15 of the strategy and you were obliged, therefore, to follow the advice of staff to be alarming. “You are the Leader of this council and should not be blindly led by staff. Councillors and not staff are elected to take decisions. “When you realised that you would lose the vote at full Council last Wednesday, you changed your mind once more and agreed to support and vote for my amendment of para 6.15. 2 days later, however, I received an email from a member of staff stating that my amendment is not agreed and will be subject to further consideration by you and your cabinet! “Is this a further example of you going back on your word or will you be blaming staff once again?”
Cllr Jordan, more faces than Big Ben …has zero credibility ..
Well Jordan has a history of breaking the law and most rules, and can be, extremely rude to members of the public too. Drunk driver to Council leader.
And what about the farcical decision at shalfleet!
green fields!
Why are you surprised, politiicans lie, some more than others.
It’s about time Jordan retired, the island deserves better
People like him and lots more in the council give the name ROTTEN BOROUGH to the whole Isle of Wight.
They are all in it for their selves nothing more nothing less
The isle of wight Council is run and managed by absolute scum. Biggest bunch of useless corrupt filth on the Island. Taking back hands and bribes.
Ex councillor in Ryde in charge of business was said to be albeit known only locally to be paying staff off the books in some of his many businesses so what hope is there?
Horrible to think that such people likely laugh with their colleagues about such abuse of power BUT should any other business or person do similar then these same people judge to the full extent of the law.
Akin to having Foxes in charge of a hen house.