Residents across The Bay area will soon have the opportunity to meet their local Isle of Wight councillors face-to-face every week, with a new series of drop-in surgeries launching at The Heights Leisure Centre in Sandown next month.
The initiative, believed to be the first of its kind on the Isle of Wight, will see Bay ward councillors hold weekly sessions where residents can raise concerns, discuss local issues or simply have an informal chat.
The surgeries will begin on 8th August and will take place every Saturday between 10:00 and 11:30 at The Heights Leisure Centre, excluding Bank Holiday weekends and Christmas.
The service is open to all Bay residents and is intended to improve access to elected representatives by providing a regular, convenient opportunity to discuss matters affecting the local community.
Councillors taking part in the initiative are Cllr Bill Nigh, Cllr Ros Freeman, Cllr David Llewellyn, Cllr Stephen Reynolds, Cllr Robert Newton and Cllr Frank Baldry.
The announcement comes with the hope that the new approach will strengthen engagement between councillors and the communities they represent.
A spokesperson has said:
“I am delighted to attach copy details of weekly surgeries that the Bay Councillors including myself will be providing at The Heights from next month.
“I don’t believe anything like this has been trialled before and which I hope will give greater access to those communities in the area to their local Councillors.”
Residents attending the sessions are asked to check in at reception on arrival. No appointment is required.
