The Executive of the Isle of Wight council has voted against the outcome of the Full council vote last Thursday, deciding to stay engaged with the Solent Devolution discussions.
As the full council motion to make a recommendation to Executive fell, there was no recommendation from full council for the Executive to consider.
In a meeting lasting an hour, starting at 5pm this evening, all councillors in the Independent-controlled Executive spoke, bar one.
The vote was five in favour and two against. Cllrs Stephens and Fuller voted against.
You can read the blow-by-blow detail in our live coverage of the Executive meeting.
Call-in?
The Conservative councillors have already said that they do not think that the Executive has a mandate.
Rumours have been circulating since OnTheWight published a clarification piece last week that the Isle of Wight council’s Conservative councillors might try and call-in the decision of the Executive, if they voted in the way they have this evening – OnTheWight has asked their leader about this.
The Leader of the IW Conservative councillors, Cllr Dave Stewart, is Chair of the Scrutiny Committee where the call-in would be made to.
Isle of Wight Council can stay at the table
Following the meeting the Isle of Wight council issued the following statement,
A meeting of the Executive of the Isle of Wight Council has tonight (Monday 24 October) agreed a decision to continue the process which may lead to the establishment of a Solent Combined Authority (with Portsmouth and Southampton city councils).
The Executive, as part of this process, has agreed to submit a request to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to establish a Solent Combined Authority – alongside Portsmouth and Southampton city councils, which made their decisions last week.
Isle of Wight Council leader, Councillor Jonathan Bacon, said:
“This decision will mean the Isle of Wight Council can stay at the table as these discussions progress, with the involvement of the secretary of state. The council will still retain the option of not joining the combined authority if suitable terms cannot be agreed or the expected devolution deal, including an expected commitment for £900 million investment funds over 30 years, is not secured with the government – both will need the further and final agreement of the council.
“By taking this decision to stay at the table, we are ensuring that every opportunity is examined and kept open as we endeavour to secure a long-term sustainable financial future for the council and the Island as a whole.
“As part of our future plans we have just approved a more positive medium term financial strategy which focuses strongly on regeneration and economic growth. The strategy buys us some time to grow our tax base as a result of planned regeneration activities. This will be more easily delivered if investment funds from government are made available.”
Article edit
Statement from the IWC added
