As reported at the beginning of the month, the Isle of Wight group of Conservative councillors have refused to join any of the Executive Advisory Groups – formed as part of the agreed new council governance.
In November 2013, when the idea of a new form of governance was debated at full council, Cllr Stewart confirmed some members of his group had already said they wouldn’t serve on any of the Advisory Groups.
Continued silence from Group Leader
Prior to publishing our report earlier this month, OnTheWight wrote to Cllr Stewart (as Conservative Group Leader) seeking the official word on why Conservative councillors were not taking part in the governance of council business.
Cllr Stewart failed to reply, so we wrote again, then texted the councillor and even spoke with him face-to-face at the June Scrutiny meeting, when he promised that he’d get something to us.
Lack of representation
Rather surprisingly, Cllr Stewart’s silence appears to continue, so we’re unable to explain in detail to readers just why the Island’s Conservative councillors will not be representing their constituents on the Executive Advisory Groups over the next three years.
All-‘party’ group recommended structure
Deputy leader of the council, Cllr Steve Stubbings, expressed his disappointment at the lack of Conservative councillors taking part in the governance of the Island.
He told OnTheWight,
“We are, of course, disappointed that the Conservative group in council have elected not to be involved in policy development. The view of this administration is that every member has a responsibility towards the electorate to contribute towards all aspects of the Council’s work including the decision making process.
“The idea of Advisory Committees, within the hybrid governance system, came forward through a recommendation from the all-‘party’ Constitution reform group which included Conservative members and was then passed by full council. We are encouraged that all other groups within the council continue to contribute.”
