Following reports that the Government is planning to hand more powers to the new Mayor for Hampshire and the Solent, East Wight MP Joe Robertson has written to the Labour Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, asking her to set out her intentions for young Islanders’ education ahead of a crucial Council vote next week.
First reported in The Guardian, the Government has backed a Labour think tank report which draws up plans to give a proposed new Mayor powers over Island schools and hospitals. The article goes on the explain that an anonymous government insider has said the plans will be added to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (currently going through Parliament) via amendments.
Powers over transport, policing and strategic planning have already been announced, together with the power to increase Council Tax with their own ‘mayoral precept’. Adding schools to this list of powers will shift responsibility for young people’s education and schooling arrangements across the Solent to Hampshire.
Isle of Wight Councillors are set to vote on whether to approve the Government’s plans for a Mayor next Wednesday (1st October).
In his letter, Mr Robertson asks the Education Secretary about her knowledge of the amendments and has invited her to discuss the impact this will have on the Isle of Wight.
Mr Robertson said:
“What is becoming clear is that the Hampshire-based Mayor is going to become increasingly powerful over time, taking powers away from our own independent Isle of Wight Council. This is the very opposite of community empowerment. Isle of Wight Councillors need to know what they are voting for next Wednesday – if the Government cannot be straight with us, then Councillors should reject the plan.
“We already know the “Isle of Wight” name is being replaced with “Solent” in the Mayor’s title. We also know that the Mayor will be able to put their own charge on our Council Tax bills and they will get powers over trains, buses and road but not over ferries – despite “Solent” being in their title. This alone is enough to say no to Government and renegotiate better terms. Now is a time for Councillors to pull together and stand up for our Island.”
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Isle of Wight needs to be run by Isle of Wight based people….. People in Hampshire have no idea about the Island.. Hampshire have always turned a blind eye to Island…
Should keep Isle of Wight out of Hampshire…
On the other hand, how could a Hampshire mayor make our secondary school results worse. It will be difficult to drop down from last place.
Well maybe it’s time for people in Hampshire to
have an idea about the island.
It shouldn’t be any different to Hampshire
both places are in Great Britain.
Why do we have two parasites running the Isle of Wight? It’s a pathetic joke. MPs are a pathetic parasitic joke. No wonder the Uk has become an easy touch.
mayoral precept!! Means higher council tax to pay for this self important Gauleiter.
Devolved powers, with the right terms, would mean a huge financial boost to the Island. ‘Going it alone’ simply doesn’t work when budgets are so low.