The Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils (IWALC) recently held an open day, during which member councils shared information about their activities and experiences.
The purpose of the event, which was held at Sandown Town Council’s Broadway Centre on Saturday 24th September, was to enable councils to find out what others are doing, learn from each other and discuss possible ways of cooperating or providing mutual support.
17 parish and town councils were represented. They ranged in size from Ryde Town Council, with an electorate of nearly 20,000, to Chillerton and Gatcombe Parish Council, with less than 400.
Councils were invited to bring information about their activities, particularly any innovative projects or services. The many impressive displays demonstrated the wide range of activities in which councils are engaged. These displays, together with a continuous supply of coffee, tea, cake and biscuits, stimulated a great deal of lively and constructive discussion among participants.
Diana Conyers, Chair of IWALC, explains:
‘This is the first time we have had such an event. We were concerned that it might not be well attended, because councils’ preparations had been disrupted by the period of national mourning. But we needn’t have worried.
“The general opinion was that it was a great success. We would like to thank Sandown Town Council for the use of the Broadway Centre, which is an excellent venue for such an event”.
‘We hope to hold more events like this in the future,’ said Anne Bamford, a Freshwater Parish Councillor and IWALC’s new vice-chair. ‘There is so much we can learn from each other.’
Let’s hope Bembridge has had, and more importantly has inwardly digested any tips from other Parish Councils’ on how to hold on to its staff.
The high turnover of such seems to say a lot about any organisations ‘feel good’ factor.
Bembridge Council do seem to be in the headlines rather a lot, and not often for the best reasons.
A shame as a lovely village, we just need a change of certain Council members to then reform a more cohesive Council who are working for the whole village and the right reasons not personal agendas imo.
Unlikely to happen anytime soon I fear.
I understand the current Clerk is considering leaving soon. If true, that will be five in a few short years.
I hope that isn’t true pomandar, for even well-run councils have problems gaining a decent clerk.
Perhaps it would have been more beneficial if most of the councillors had left and the clerk remained.
Heaven help us if you are correct, for God only knows what they will do without legal guidance and imagine having twelve differing opinions when attempting to make any decisions on the behalf of us precept payers.
Did Shanklin Town Council attend this beano or did they just send an out of office email or their telephone answering machine? After all that’s the only response any Shanklin resident gets if they try to make contact!!!