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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.

24, March 2017·2 min read

Island Independents: If elected, we’ll buy Red Funnel for Islanders

Discussions are already underway and if elected in the May elections, the Island Independents say they'll use agreed £200m borrowing and will "seek to participate with partners to acquire this vital route to the Island, for the Island".

7, December 2016·1 min read

Isle of Wight Executive undergoes a reshuffle

In the lead up to the clear focus on regeneration over the coming months, the leader of the Isle of Wight council has restructured the Executive.

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).

disembarking the floating bridge - karl love

15, May 2017·3 min read

MCA suspends floating bridge

The new floating bridge was subject to several problems over the weekend and following an approach from the MCA the service has been suspended this morning.

6, March 2017·3 min read

Independents say dealing with Conservatives is ‘like playing chess with a pigeon’

The Leader of the Island Independent councillors says responding to the Conservatives' "ridiculous spin feels like trying to play chess with a pigeon" and for the Conservatives to deny austerity "is an insult to Islanders".

10, March 2017·4 min read

Why is Conservative HQ so interested in the Isle of Wight?

Even prior to the takeover of the Isle of Wight council in January, Conservative Campaign Head Office have had a member of staff advising the new council Leader. It's believed to be unprecedented.

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.

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.

19, January 2017·1 min read

Island Independents appoint new Group Leader

The new group leader for the Island Independents says they will "remain committed to putting People Before Politics as we work to support our wards and the wider Island".

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.

18, April 2017·1 min read

Petition: Name floating bridge 6 after Polish warship that defended Isle of Wight

This year marks the 75th Anniversary since the Polish, Cowes-built warship saved Cowes and East Cowes. A petition to name the new floating bridge Blyskawica is gaining traction.

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.

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