The ‘clock is ticking’ to find a solution to the authority’s children’s services dilemma, the Isle of Wight Council leader has said.
Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, who is also the new education lead, said the authority has 5 months until Hampshire’s proposed date to end its partnership with the Isle of Wight Council – 31st January 2024.
Just 1 month ago, Hampshire County Council announced it wanted to halt the decade-old deal, which saw the Island’s services and education department run by the mainland authority.
Isle of Wight Council cabinet members must also agree a formal last day.
The council’s cabinet will meet in the coming weeks to decide the best way forward, while those outside the senior circles say they are in the dark and have no idea what the ruling Alliance administration’s intention is.
Speaking at yesterday’s (Tuesday’s) meeting of the Council’s appointments and employment committee, chief executive Wendy Perera said a lot of options were being considered, including keeping the services in-house; creating a new strategic partnership with a different organisation; or a hybrid option — with some services delivered by the council and others delivered by someone else.
The authority agreed to recruit a new director of children’s services. However, a permanent service director may not be required if cabinet agrees to go into partnership with another authority, so the recruitment process will not start until a decision is made.
If the council has a sole children’s service director, the successful recruit could be on a salary of at least £109,693, according to the council’s current pay policy.
Councillor Geoff Brodie said he was concerned committee members were putting the ‘cart before the horse,’ adding he was ‘in the dark’ about the Alliance’s plans for children’s services.
Former children’s services and education cabinet member, Councillor Paul Brading, said he felt the Hampshire partnership had been very strong for years, adding the Island had missed out on a chance to renegotiate the arrangement, to scale it down. Instead, the mainland authority ‘dropped us,’ he said.
The committee also agreed to look into interim arrangements for a director, to cover any gaps in services and leadership.
The Island’s service is still being run by Hampshire, under the directorship of Stuart Ashley, the former deputy director for children and families. It follows the departure of former director Steve Crocker, and Brian Pope, the education and inclusion deputy director.
The termination of the partnership came as a shock to the Isle of Wight Council, with Hampshire saying it was choosing to focus on children in its own county.
Last month, Cllr Peace-Wilcox apologised for the way potential school closure announcements had been made, as she took over the educational lead role, from Councillor Debbie Andre.
Wow Councillor Brodie and many other’s feel they are in the dark re this matter !!!!!!
We the plebs who pay council tax for cuts in our services, our totally in the dark !!!!!!!
And that’s re everything they say touch or do !!!!
All we know is they couldn’t agree which came 1st ,the waste of money or the excuses !!!!!!!
The blind leading the blind as usual. This council really is not fit for purpose.
Funny how blaming Hampshire, when actually the Authority had made it clear it wanted out as felt cost to high remaining in Hampshire.
Even the funniest comedy writer could not compete with the shambolic IWC, these so called leaders are nothing but an embarrassing joke.. I feel for the children and their families.. let down by IWC again, and where is Bob to help .. more photo shoots Bob ? Next will be ULEZ on the island, the stealth tax .. still IWC have already made Newport a ULEZ zone no body can afford to park there .. so no cars.. just a fume making bus depot .. but that’s okay !!
scrap the abortion that is the floating bridge and use the money saved to support children’s services
I wonder how much the Island would get for selling Boaty-McBoatface for scrap?
Why do we need to appoint a children’s service director?Isn’t this what the Council’s children’s service and education cabinet are supposed to control.
Children’s Services, when’s that gonna start happening? Funking Joke!!
OMG! Five months to go and they are only just looking at it! This should be up and running now, ready for a seamless transition. I’m a foster carer and the IOW hasn’t got that side of things under control either. It would be funny if it wasn’t so sad. Give me the blody job for less than half the price. Anyone want to join me and put together a team with some common sense, compassion and integrity?