Isle of Wight councillors have received a progress report on the possibility of switching to a new committee-style governance, with the work on the potential to move from a leader and cabinet model to a committee system continuing. At a Full Council meeting on Wednesday evening, councillors heard more about what needs to happen in advance of any decision on a change of governance. If the council is to change to a committee system, the current proposals suggest there will be a policy, finance and resources committee, and 4 service committees covering:
- children’s services;
- adult social care, public health, and housing;
- economy, regeneration, transport, and infrastructure;
- environment and community protection.
Other committees currently operating would remain unchanged. 
However, at last night’s meeting, concerns were raised the council was moving too fast and there was not enough information to continue. Councillor Julie Jones-Evans said the council was ‘doing guesswork’ and ‘didn’t have enough time to consider the matter properly’, highlighting other local authorities that had made the switch did so over a longer timeframe. Councillor Jonathan Bacon said moving to a committee system in May was ‘not realistic’ and questioned why they were working to a difficult timescale rather than achieving a good result. Councillor Paul Fuller, who sat on the last committee system the Isle of Wight Council had before switching, said it is a fantastic system but this was doing it ‘on the cheap’ and he didn’t want to see that undermining the council’s democratic process. At the meeting in May, councillors will be asked if they think the authority should move over to the committee system. If yes, then when should it be implemented — either later that month, in May 2025 or at a later date. The council would welcome people’s views on the proposed changes — email [email protected] or write to Future Governance, Isle of Wight Council, County Hall, High Street, Newport PO30 1UD.
I think it is not that people are not interested in politics but they elect a councillor and expect them to make the right decisions for the benefit of the Island. In the past I served as a councillor and at that time the committee system was in place and it worked well and all parties had a say. I think it would be the best way forward
Did I hear one of the them say it could cost half a million quid a year? All those extra meetings have to be staffed and I’ve searched the papers & can’t see anything on how much its going to be.
Some of them in favour of this big change seem to be keeping quiet about where the money is coming from.
And then they intend to implement this in two weeks, every other council that’s done this does it over months if not a year.
This is going to be an expensive disaster isn’t it?
And can anyone tell me the rumour i heard, is it true the Conservatives are only in favour of a rushed change because its a backdoor way of taking control of the council?
Welcome comrades the buck will stop with no one
In the past didn’t the council operate on the committee format?
Yes it did and it worked well
Better idea get rid of half of the councillors, they are a total waste of money!!
Replied just to prove Ms Churchman wrong!!
Committee’s are just groups that go with the bossiest person and ignore the most intelligent