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Julia Baker-Smith

Julia Baker-Smith is the Isle of Wight county councillor for Whippingham and Osborne.

She was elected in 2013 and became Executive member for Planning and Housing in January 2016.

In January 2017, Cllr Baker-Smith was elected as Leader of the Group of Island Independent councillors.

In May 2018 Julia joined the Labour Party in and in April 2019 stepped down.

Below are some articles that feature Cllr Baker-Smith.

16, May 2013·1 min read

Whippingham councillor returns to maiden name

As a mark of respect to her late father, Julia Hill returns to her maiden name.

24, January 2014·1 min read

50p per crossing proposed for Floating Bridge foot passengers

The council say that £3m would need to be found to keep the floating bridge running as it nears the end of its life, so proposals are up for consideration to introduce a 50p each way foot passenger charge.

17, October 2014·2 min read

Cllr Julia Baker-Smith voted as chair of the planning committee

The vote was incredibly close with Independent councillor, Julia Baker Smith, winning by just one vote.

30, October 2014·2 min read

Scrutiny Group recommend increase in floating bridge charges

The Scrutiny Committee's Task and Finish Group have been looking into proposals to change charging on Cowes floating bridge. Next week they'll present their recommendations, which include some surprising jumps in charges.

Floating Bridge protest banners by Allan Marsh

24, February 2015·2 min read

Councillors at risk to losing votes over floating bridge changes says Deputy Mayor

A fellow town councillor says that if the East Cowes and Whippingham & Osborne councillors vote in favour of the IWC budget as a whole - which includes introducing pedestrian charges on the floating bridge - they will lose the support of their constituents.

26, February 2015·2 min read

Pedestrians to be charged to travel on the Cowes floating bridge

Despite the Labour amendment to scrap the proposal to charge pedestrians on the Cowes floating bridge, members (including councillors for East Cowes and Osborne & Whippingham) voted through the new charging proposal at last night's full council meeting.

8, April 2015·2 min read

Call to declare Isle of Wight ‘Frack Free’ fails due to legal concerns

Concerns it could open the council to judicial review led to 12 members abstaining and nine voting against the motion to declare the Isle of Wight 'Fracking Free'.

21, October 2015·1 min read

Planning Committee make decision on Rivoli Cinema: Outcome a surprise

The Planning Officers had recommended refusal arguing demolition of the Rivoli Cinema would result in the unjustified loss of a non-designated heritage asset.

22, October 2015·1 min read

Moves afoot to halt Head of Planning overriding wishes of elected councillors

Local councillors have started to have their long-established right to have planning applications 'called in' for public discussion over-ruled by the Wendy Perera, Head of Planning at the council. Moves are afoot to stop it.

2, December 2015·1 min read

Harcourt Sands gets approval. OnTheWight speaks to the developer

Before voting it through Councillors added an additional affordable housing condition. OnTheWight has spoken to the developer, learning of their development timetable.

1, February 2016·1 min read

Isle of Wight council executive reshuffle following resignation

Following Luisa Hillard's resignation from the Isle of Wight Executive, a reshuffle has been announced today.

3, February 2016·1 min read

Future of Chair of Planning clarified after move to council Executive

Following the Executive reshuffle, questions were raised as to whether Cllr Baker-Smith would remain as Chair of the planning committee.

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