Work is underway to improve relations between Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council after a previous relationship breakdown and ‘a lot of mistrust’, a top councillor has said.
Reform UK leader at County Hall, James Whelan, spoke of confidence and trust and working together following a Godshill Parish Council meeting in his Central Rural Ward earlier this month.
Cllr Whelan’s comments come as the Isle of Wight Council prepares to vote on a motion calling for ‘meaningful consultation’ with councillors, town and parish councils, and affected businesses and residents before major scheduled road work projects are finalised.
Liberal Democrat councillor Nick Stuart’s submission, due to be considered on Wednesday (16th September), cites ‘significant disruption’ caused to residents, commuters, emergency services, and the local economy by ‘poorly managed’ and ‘apparently uncoordinated’ road closures.
Cllr Whelan told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS):
“There was a lot of mistrust between elected councillors, the Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads and the relationship broke down.
“It’s about building up that relationship now, this is what we’ve been trying to do and we’ve worked very, very hard to do that.”
Asked how the relationship has been built up, he said:
“Confidence and trust in what we’re saying we’re going to do. We’re not there to embarrass each other in front of the public and I think that’s what the last administration was doing.
“To work together and not work as a separate entity.”
In July, Isle of Wight councillors formally agreed the controversial closure of Firestone Copse Road has raised ‘serious concerns’ over the decision-making, monitoring and communications around closing highways carried out through the Island Roads private finance initiative and the council’s highways function.
At the time, County Hall’s independent chair, Cllr Ian Dore, said members from different political groups have been saying the same thing:
“The Island’s highways arrangements are not giving residents and businesses the confidence, clarity or accountability they deserve.”
During the same meeting, Reform UK councillor Les Kirkby said he felt that over the last few years, the council and Island Roads have been working ‘against each other’.
