Joe Robertson MP has called on Isle of Wight Council Leader Phil Jordan and his Cabinet to respect the decision of Full Council by rejecting the Labour Government’s fast-tracked proposal for a mainland-based Mayor with jurisdiction over the Island.
Following yesterday’s Full Council meeting, where the majority of voting councillors said no to joining the Government’s priority scheme, the Isle of Wight East MP has outlined his concerns in an open letter – a copy of which can be read here.
The vote by Full Council was non-binding. The Council’s Cabinet of 8 Alliance/Independent Councillors will make the formal decision at 17:00 this evening (Thursday).
In his letter, Joe emphasises the risk of powers disappearing off the Island and a lack of clear benefits for Islanders. The proposal from Government would see the Isle of Wight joining with Hampshire, Portsmouth, and Southampton – with possible expansion to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole – to elect a joint Mayor.
He also says the Isle of Wight would make up just 7% of the combined population and says it is fanciful to think we would get substantially more than 7% of the money the Mayor has available to spend – a figure which remains unclear.
The MP’s letter also highlights concerns about existing Isle of Wight Council powers being transferred to the mainland-based Mayor.
Joe Robertson has said:
“The current proposal takes some powers away from the Isle of Wight Council and gives them to the Mayor. It is not just a devolution proposal – it is about the centralisation of our existing powers too. One of those existing powers is for strategic planning and our ability to decide how many homes we build on the Island and where.
Article continues below this advertisement “We know that the Labour Government wants us to build over 1,000 houses a year on the Island (we currently build around 300). We cannot give any power away to a Mayor representing a largely mainland constituency to make these decision with Government.”
The letter goes on to say that no Councillor has a mandate to give away powers and impose a Hampshire-based Mayor on Island residents…
“If it is something you and your Alliance Group wish to do you should seek a mandate from Isle of Wight residents at the May 2025 local elections rather than delaying the elections to 2026 so that you can get this scheme through first. If the Isle of Wight does not proceed with the priority scheme now, the Deputy Prime Minister has been clear that we can join later in the year. This is not the last opportunity to consider a better Mayor proposal.”
What are the benefits of being controlled by IW Council
We have one of the most expensive Council taxes in the country.
We pay the highest green waste charges in the country.
We pay a nightly charge of £2.00 364 days a year to park
along seafronts – NO OTHER SEASIDE CHARGES THIS RIDICULOUS
FEE.
50p to use toilets in Sandown or 40p in Newport.
Ferry prices are extortionate and the service is poor.
St Mary’s IW does not carry out many procedures on the island
Patients have to go to the mainland for decent treatment.
Not to mention there are NO speed Camera’s on the island like the
mainland.
SO WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS BEING CONTROLLED BY IW COUNCIL
We need to be run by the mainland for better opportunities.
Don’t forget the floating bridge.
I forgot to mention that, thank you for reminding
me.
What good does this current Council do for the
people of the island, except keep increasing our
taxes and charges.
Why don’t you move to China, you would fit in perfectly.
The way this country is lately it might be a
good idea.
Cheers
It is very easy to list all the things you don’t like about the local authority but it is a huge leap to assume that everything would automatically be better if t was run from elsewhere and you provide no evidence to support your assertions. Many of the things you raise are not under the control of the council anyway including ferry prices, hospital service and speeding. The financial issues are largely driven by shortage of funds caused by the slashing of central government grant over 14 years under the Conservatives and the fact that virtually all councils spend 85% of their budget on services for children and vulnerable adults (largely the elderly) and the Island has a relatively old population.
My last post was not published, the truth hurts.
The island needs mainland influence, under the
Current Council we pay the most expense green waste fees
in the country.
We pay ine of the most expense Council taxes in the country.
Where else in Britain do you have to pay a nightly charge of
£2 a day.
50p to use toilets.
The most expensive Ferry fares in the world.
An Hospital that only Carrie’s out minimal procedures and
Islanders have to go to the mainland for treatment.
Why not publish the truth.
Thank you Island Echo for publishing my posts
on this matter.
We still live in a democracy, even though democracy
is on a knife edge lately.
I want what’s best for the people of the island
including myself and my family, if that means
Mainland influence is better than what we have
then let it be, too be honest many of the persons
running the island are probably mainland persons.
I agree. The islands local government is extremely retrogressive. It has had every opportunity to improve and for instance control the excesses of the ferries. Time is up. Let’s have the island governed in the interests of islanders.
A mayor just another gravey train