Councillor Claire Critchison, a Green Party Councillor and part of the ‘sinking’ Alliance Group, was successfully voted in again as the chair of Isle of Wight Council on Wednesday night.
She won the vote against the Conservative nomination, Councillor Chris Quirk, by 18 votes to 16 – with 2 abstentions.
Cllr Critchison, the representative of Chale, Niton and Shorwell, has fulfilled the civic role for the past year, representing the authority at events in the community. Members of the Council praised her for doing an outstanding job in the previous year and had no doubt she would do so in the year ahead. She will continue to do so until May 2024, in her year-long term.
Cllr Karl Love, the East Cowes ward representative, was appointed as vice-chair. He earlier resigned his cabinet role as adult social care lead, as previously reported by Island Echo. No other nominations were put forward for that position.
A show of hands showed councillors in favour of the appointment.
Councillor Michael Lilley vacated the role of vice-chair and said he was glad to hand the position over.
Elsewhere at the meeting, Councillor Joe Robertson was appointed to the role of corporate scrutiny chair — taking over from Labour’s Councillor Richard Quigley. The leader of the Conservative group had hoped to fill the post last year but was outvoted.
Taking on the sometimes-difficult role of the chair of the planning committee, Councillor Warren Drew has stepped up from his former position of vice-chair.
Councillor Quigley beat Conservative-nomination Councillor Suzie Ellis to the chair of the policy and scrutiny committee for children’s services, education and skills, by one vote.
There was some confusion in the council chamber this evening, when Councillor John Nicholson did not cast his vote for fellow party member Councillor Ellis, and ended up being the deciding vote.
Councillor Nicholson lost the role he had held for 6 years on the authority, as chair of the policy and scrutiny committee for health and social care, as the vote was tied.
The casting vote fell to Councillor Claire Critchison, who voted to support Councillor Michael Lilley who will now fill the role following his move from the Alliance group to the Liberal Democrats.
Vice chairs were also appointed at the meeting.
This council mob are a total embarrassment. All they do is play musical chairs. Try doing what you were elected to do rather than playing power games or just push off.
Quite agree with you !. Well said !. It’s a shame Lovey Love still has a ‘ manufactured’ role to play !
Let the AI run it. Can’t make AI to the wrong thing with brown envelopes.
As Joe Robertson has been elected to chair corporate scrutiny, and following his rant over the floating bridge “non disclosure”, presumably he will now do the right thing by the tax payers and issue full disclosure about the floating bridge court settlement? No, I thought not.
Not a chance ! Too many involved past and present
Get rid of every single scumbag conservative next voting opportunity and do us all a favour.