A to Z

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, 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.

25, April 2017·1 min read

East Cowes ‘Road to nowhere’: After ten years, work to complete starts

Known locally as 'The road to nowhere', work has finally started to complete this East Cowes road that has required multiple negotiations to get underway.

1, February 2017·1 min read

Find out who will be new Scrutiny Committee Chair: Live Coverage

The extraordinary meeting was called after accusations the decision to not elect a new chair of Scrutiny at the full council meeting last week was "bulldozed through" by Conservative councillors.

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.

16, May 2018·2 min read

Former Indie leader joins Isle of Wight Labour Party

The former Indie leader says she's always been a supporter of progressive politics and "opposed to the Conservative Austerity measures that have so badly impacted Island Services".

23, January 2017·5 min read

Former Isle of Wight council leader passes away (updated)

The former leader had been battling ill health for sometime and passed away over the weekend. Local politicians pay their respects.

County Hall Chamber - Annual Meeting May 2018

17, May 2018·2 min read

From Peace to Outlaw for Isle of Wight Community Safety and Public Protection

As well as a Cabinet reshuffle, the Annual Meeting of the Isle of Wight council saw re-election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman as well as Chairs of the various committees.

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.

12, July 2018·1 min read

Green light to pay Jay Jayasundara another £70,000 for PFI savings

As revealed by OnTheWight back in March, Jay Jayasundara has already been back on the Isle of Wight since the beginning of the year examining the Highways PFI contract he was paid handsomely to create.

19, January 2017·7 min read

Group leaders react to new Leader of the Isle of Wight council (video)

Various group leaders of Isle of Wight councillors respond to the new Leadership by Conservative, Dave Stewart. See what they have to say and watch Cllr Stewart make his first statement as leader.

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.

Free daily newsletter