Island Echo always welcome letters to the editor, which may of course not reflect the views of the publication and its staff. Island Echo previously reported that the Empowering Islanders group had criticised the conduct of the Council Leader during last week’s Cabinet meeting, during which a councillor was rudely prevented from asking challenging questions. Read more at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/you-will-not-speak-council-leader-lost-his-rag-in-cabinet-meeting-says-empowering-islanders-group/.
Letter to the editor – 23rd April 2024
“Dear Editor, “I have viewed online the Council Cabinet meeting held on 18th April at which my Ward Councillor, Peter Spink (Yarmouth and Freshwater North) asked a very pertinent and reasonable question – “would the best and most versatile agricultural land be taken out of the allocations [for development in the proposed Island Planning Strategy]?”. “As no clear answer was given, Cllr Spink again asked for a response. The Leader (Cllr Phil Jordan) then totally lost his temper and repeatedly tried to prevent Cllr Spink from speaking. Extraordinarily he then stood up and shouted angrily and petulantly for Cllr Spink to leave the meeting and for him to be removed. “Is this quality of debate, and the disturbing behaviour of Cllr Jordan, acceptable to members of the Council and its Executive? It is certainly not acceptable to those the Councillors are supposed to represent. “Peter Spink is an excellent Councillor for this large area of the West Wight. He is hard working, meticulous in his research and, most importantly, is a champion for maintaining the beauty of our Island as a whole. “That he should be so forcibly and aggressively ‘shut up’ in this unpleasant manner is inexcusable. “That a representative – from any part of the Island – should be spoken to in this manner when asking a question of genuine importance to the whole of the Island, is most concerning”.
Madeleine Green Thorley
extraordinarily he then stood up and shouted angrily and petulantly for Cllr Spink to leave the meeting and for him to be removed.
….
in the modern workplace that sort of conduct would be considered as bullying and harassment. Cllr Spink should file a complaint to the relevant person and have the matter investigated.
If its “extraordinary”, maybe its because the account isn’t in fact sufficient in all necessary respects.
I would of stayed and told him to fuk off..in council terms that is he is no better than anyone else ..
The “Growing Team IWC – values and behaviours framework” sets standards of behaviour expected of council employees and leaders. This document states that requirements include: “Responding to colleagues and residents appropriately; acting courteously, respectfully and positively”, and “Listening to people and give correct, timely responses; knowing and understanding appropriate methods of communication”. Given that Jordan showed no courtesy or respect and did not provide a correct response, we can only assume that he is incapable of adhering to the standards set by him and his colleagues. This hypocritical situation is not acceptable and Jordan should be disciplined or dismissed, but preferably the latter.
There was fault on both sides within that, but look at the full disclosure at On the Wight for further clarity.
The issue is with his behaviour rather than the circumstances. There is no excuse for his outrageous behaviour.
Growing Team IWC. – What crap, bullying and intimadation is rife across the Council especially in Adult and Children’s Social care. Look at appalling comments made by Director of Adults suggesting how her staff don’t care about their elderly clients and trying to force staff to do extra hours or be sacked. Council cannot be trusted to make decisions or with our council tax. Everything is costing more as they try and save pennies and then spend thousands!.
What an utter disgrace ! What has he got to hide ????
They all need to grow a pair, have a proper disscusion about NOT turning brown land into housing, and turning the Island to shit because of it
I totally agree with you.
It had already been discussed, with amendments voted through so the whole thing could be discussed at full council meeting in near future. This ^^ is skewed edited highlights and does not give a clear picture. I’m not a Jordan fan, but I do like the full truth.
Oh shut up. This “man” and I use the term loosely, is a complete and utter nazi, in charge of a typically quiet group of his minions.
Sit down civil servant remember who you are and who you serve! You should be setting an example
Cllr Spink, in his previous remporary loyalty to the Conservative Party, was instrumental in impeding and frustrating progress towards an Island Plan. Even the Tories tired of him, so he had to make up his own party. I wonder what his agenda could be, representing as he does the likes of this letter writer?
Even more curious is that the link I added with the full picture from a different news site has not been added here.
IE does not allow links to other news outlets in comments.
Even more curious is how comment like/dislikes get ‘inverted’ ie a + like becomes a minus or even -7 !! methinks there’s a bot at work somewhere, lol
What I want to know is how can a convicted criminal (drink driving) be on the council,let alone in charge of it .????
And this man is the leader of our council? Can only guess what he’s like behind closed doors ! Probably a 1st class bully and dictator! Time for him to stand down as I believe he has a criminal record? The man is a disgrace to the council and our island, time Jordan to stand down and stop being a numpty! If he spoke to me like that I would be identifying as the tooth fairy and knocking his out!!
Nobody should be surprised that our council ranks as one of the worst in the UK, even more so after viewing that.
Our very own council drunk driving leader seems to have broken most of the rules and codes of conduct as set down by the Local government association rules on councillors behaviour, it would need one formal complaint by a fellow councillr supported by the video evidence of the meeting to have him suspened pending investigation.
Bembridge Barbie, see my reply further down comments,no hope!
I’m glad it’s not just local Parish Councils that suffer from the effects of bullies!
He’s lucky this hasn’t made national news.
He should issue a public apology for his behaviour.
It did. Check out BBC News Hampshire and Isle of Wight.
There is time yet!! So nimble fingered person is probably on to it!! (Hopefully)
Hopefully someone will expose the lies, deceit and back handers our council are guilty of.
This is what happens in a increasingly Godless society
What an embarrassment these people are.
There is obviously more to this situation than has been admitted in this oh so innocent, butter-wouldnt-melt manner. As its not reported that an ambulance at once pulled up and took Cllr Jordan away after some brain- busting episode, I’m inclined to think we don’t have the full picture that would make sense of whatever took place.
After reading this, and people’s comments on the matter, the question about ”fit for purpose” comes to mind
As a town councillor in Ryde,I have been on the receiving end of the council leaders vile abuse, though he was more abusive and used more foul language in front of all the other councillors, I put a formal complaint to the monitoring officer and was told that he wouldn’t waste tax payers money on complaints against another councillor!leader Jordan believes he is above everyone else in the council! If it were a conservative leader behaving like this it would be a different story and I’m not a conservative! He believes he is above the code of conduct of normal councillors and as a councillor myself he is a law to himself as no one will control his desire for total control! So sad for the people of the island and more for the tax payers of Ryd
…Above everyone else in the council?? He is, he is the Leader!
Code of conduct also states the the Chair’s decision is final and no talking over someone already talking. So….who did what first?
Disgusting and appalling behaviour. Absolutely outrageous. Noone deserves to be spoken to like that and would be classed as bullying .
I’m suprised the other muppets didn’t speak up and defend him. Call himself a Councillor. A bigoted clown more like
Come on be fair to the man, they were so busy he hadn’t had time to top up his alcohol levels and was suffering withdrawal symptoms.