A call to hold more Sandown Town Council meetings has been rejected and instead, fewer gatherings will last longer.
Councillor Debbie Andre, who sits on both Sandown Town Council and the Isle of Wight Council, proposed meeting more often, to ensure the town council runs in a similar way to a business because of the number of services it now delivers.
Ironically, the motion was included in Monday’s 3-hour-long meeting, which had to be extended.
Cllr Andre proposed 10 meetings a year and a move to a different way of working.
Former mayor, Councillor Heather Humby, agreed and said she thought 6 annual meetings was not enough, arguing it had been 10 meetings per year until recently.
Councillor Ian Ward said he preferred longer meetings.
Councillor Alex Lightfoot pointed out most recent town council achievements were thanks to work in groups — but Cllr Humby argued they were not open to the public. Cllr Lightfoot said more public meetings would mean extra staffing costs, which was something Sandown residents had not wanted.
Current mayor of Sandown, Councillor Paddy Lightfoot, opted to retain 6 meetings a year but said if more were needed, that could be arranged.
The state Sandown is in, you would think that they would be meeting on a weekly basis.
(I wonder if they have fag breaks ?).
Sandown Twinned with Boot Hill.
The main reason is because they don’t want the wheels on their cars nicked. Crime central is Sandown, Speeding, Drugs, Fights…. I’m surprised they didn’t reduce the number of meetings to be honest.