Councillors have thrown their weight behind a motion seeking ‘categorical assurance’ that the Isle of Wight Council remains independent.
At Wednesday night’s Full Council meeting, members voted for Councillor Michael Lilley’s proposal defending the Council’s position as a ‘recognised stand-alone unitary authority’ as the Labour Government’s controversial devolution agenda gets underway.
27 councillors were in favour, 4 against and 2 abstentions.
The Liberal Democrat representative for Ryde Appley and Elmfield’s submission said:
“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.”
A contrasting motion tabled by Councillor Geoff Brodie that Full Council ‘encourages’ County Hall’s leadership not to rule out a merger with mainland authorities in local government reorganisation discussions could not be voted on due to Cllr Lilley’s proposal passing.
The Pan and Barton councillor’s motion said:
“Full council recognises the wishes of many residents to have an independent local authority.
Article continues below this advertisement “However, it also recognises that the vast majority of residents don’t care who that local authority is provided it provides good or better public services.
“With relatively low levels of business rates and a large, older community often very dependent on adult social care services, the Isle of Wight Council’s future prospects are not good. ‘Bankruptcy’ looms.
“Therefore, full council encourages the council leadership in its discussions about local government reorganisation with its Hampshire and Solent partners, not to rule out the possibility of a merger with mainland authorities.”
What are the benefits of being Independent?!
We pay one of the most expensive Council taxes
in the country. FACT
We pay the most expensive green waste charges in the
country. FACT
We have to pay 50p to use toilets in Sandown.
We have to pay a £2.00 nightly charge to park
our vehicles along the seafront
(Even Pompey don’t charge afger 6pm)
So what are the benefits of being INDEPENDENT
Not fact, we come 28th highest in CT.
Not fact, in the South East the charges are between £45 lowest and £70 highest. We pay £60.
In the 1850’s, the first public toilets started charging a penny to use, which is where the expression ‘spend a penny’ originated. Inflation and conversion £1.71 in today’s prices.
MOST places in Portsmouth and Southampton do charge…some up to £11 overnight. MOST places in IOW don’t. It depends everywhere on premium space.
I’d suggest you buy a residents permit and park in the car park and walk the extra 50 yards if you’re so bothered. It’ll only cost 66p a night then.
No amount of dependence or independence will alter any of those FACTS.
You haven’t sold it to me. I still want
Mainland control.
Speeding is rife on the island, there is no
Traffic law.
Where are there any speed camera’s on the
Island!, there are none!
Try checking your facts, wrong, wrong and wrong, if you like the mainland so much, just bloody move there.
You trust this government?? Broke all their promises…
All politicians lie, they are born liars, checkout
their CVs
That would make you laugh.
This is just idle posturing by the IOW council, they can see the way the wind is blowing for combined authorities and the economies of financial scale they bring, all they are trying to do is protect their lucrative council roles.