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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.

14, February 2018·2 min read

Access to Floating Bridge papers heavily restricted – Even to Scrutiny Members

Members of the Scrutiny Committee ask 'Who runs the council?' after being told they can only view floating bridge documents sat in front of a laptop at County Hall (with an estimated reading time of 30 hours).

23, January 2018·7 min read

Votes at 16: Find out what your Isle of Wight councillor said

Find out what your Isle of Wight councillor had to say about giving 16 year olds the vote when it was discussed in the council chamber last week, and see whether you agree with them.

full council meeting isle of wight county hall chamber

17, January 2018·1 min read

Catch up: Packed agenda for first Isle of Wight full council meeting of 2018

Follow the twists and turns of the first Isle of Wight full council meeting of 2018 from the comfort of your armchair or office.

15, January 2018·2 min read

Call for ‘joined-up approach’ to helping the Island’s homeless

This councillor is calling for the Isle of Wight council to adopt a joined-up approach to helping the Island’s homeless and support the Isle of Wight Bus Shelter.

22, December 2017·1 min read

IWC decision to open door for two new supermarkets to be scrutinised

The decision made behind closed doors to vary an option agreement between the Isle of Wight council and SCL Ltd will be scrutinised by a council committee in January.

16, November 2017·1 min read

Democratic process ‘pushed aside’ by Isle of Wight council leader

The irony of a motion calling for increased democracy being 'pushed aside' by the Conservative council leader without debate, was not lost on some at last night's full council meeting.

8, November 2017·1 min read

All change for Island Independent group leadership

As the Leader's role is an unpaid position, this working-age mum was finding it difficult to juggle competing priorities in order to provide for her children and serve her community.

18, October 2017·1 min read

Live: Isle of Wight councillors debate plan for next three years

Members of the Isle of Wight council will be considering the proposed three year Corporate Plan at the extraordinary meeting. If you can't make it along, catch up with our coverage here.

21, September 2017·3 min read

Heartfelt story of mother’s choice to feed son or take him to school is ignored

Katie from East Cowes has to decide whether she feeds her child or pays to take him to school. 19 councillors chose to ignore this story and voted against calls for the Cabinet to reconsider their decision.

8, September 2017·1 min read

Calls for charges on floating bridge replacement service to be scrapped

Three Isle of Wight councillors are calling for foot passenger charges on the replacement floating bridge service to be scrapped until all the issues are resolved. One councillor says parents from low income households are having to pay £6 per day in order to walk their children to school.

19, July 2017·1 min read

Floating Bridge saga included in Isle of Wight full council meeting

Meetings will now only be held every two months, and although this agenda is fairly light, questions from the public on the subject of the floating bridge are expected.

14, July 2017·1 min read

Floating Bridge: Calls for free travel. Campaigners plan County Hall protest

Campaigners plan to take their message to County Hall on Wednesday next week as opposition councillors also call for foot passenger charges on the floating bridge to be suspended.

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