Proceedings turned sour at an Isle of Wight Council meeting this week when one councillor was branded a coward by another.
During members’ questions at Tuesday’s corporate scrutiny committee meeting, Cllr Geoff Brodie asked a question of the acting chair Cllr Michael Lilley — a former political ally as a member of the 1957 Group — which called into doubt the nature of the scrutiny provided on the committee.
Cllr Brodie, Newport East ward representative, said:
“Now that your committee has a Conservative administration majority are you, the vice chair, the chair and leader of the Island Independent group not just providing a cloak of respectability to corporate scrutiny rather than meaningful and unrewarded challenge?”
He also asked why scrutiny committee chair Cllr Andrew Garratt and Cllr Lilley had not ‘stood up’ to the administration over the control of the committee’s agenda in the past 2 years — saying if they had it may have secured the confidence of all opposition councillors.
Cllr Lilley replied, saying a written response would given to Cllr Brodie from Cllr Garratt, who was unable to attend the meeting due to personal matters, and one from himself as vice chair.
Cllr Brodie said:
“People do not realise you have now joined the Island Independents just so you can keep your position on this committee, in one of the most dishonourable acts I have come across in this council in the last few years.”
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The meeting was closed shortly after the remarks but not before Cllr Brodie called Cllr Lilley a coward.
A response came from across the chamber when Cllr Clare Mosdell said Cllr Brodie was a bully for using the ‘offensive’ word.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Lilley said the 1957 Group had been disbanded and was only ever an agreement which could be called off at any time. In a statement, the former independent Green councillor, confirmed he had joined the Island Independents.
He said:
“I firmly believe it will give me an even stronger voice and that I will have the best opportunity to grow and develop as a local independent councillor for the benefit of Ryde East residents and the wider Island community.”
Leader of the Island Independents, Cllr Debbie Andre, said she was delighted to welcome Cllr Lilley to the group. She said:
“Michael brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge, especially in the field of mental health and youth work, and will be an asset to the team.
“I offer my full support to Michael and welcome his input on the various committees on which we sit.”
lilley is just moving his goalposts to ensure that he has continued employment, a continual income stream to his bank account and a continued
presence in the council to further his own agenda – he couldn’t care less about standards or ethics.
Handbags at dawn. Why when sports events etc are being canceled are events on the island still going ahead ??? And are people aware that under the Government’s strategy of all over 70 year old being forced to stay isolated in their homes for an undetermined period. Food and Medicines delivered to your door,,by who..So put your handbags down and start looking after the people of the Island and not your own self interests
Grow up, the lot of you.
Similar to the councillors at Bembridge, all becomes so ‘personal’ that even if one agreed with the other, they wouldn’t!
We will soon be entering the worst time for the Island’s tourist, and businesses since the war.
Many elderly will perish in homes here. Many more will endure great worry for food, care etc
If these councillors are more worried about ‘bullying’, again a word used by Bembridge councillors than dealing with REAL issues, then they are NOT fit for purpose and ought to be removed permanently.
This is old news. Come on island echo keep up.
Clare modsley cllr wtf hows she become a cllr ?????????????????????????????????????
Omg how how how