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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.

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".

8, March 2017·2 min read

New opening times for waste sites could mean statutory duties are not met, say Indies (updated)

The Indies say that according to the legislation, the waste facilities should be reasonably accessible and open for the deposit of waste at all reasonable times.

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.

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".

6, April 2017·2 min read

2017 council election: Island Independents publish their priorities

The Island Independents acknowledge their leadership changes were taken advantage of by the Conservative-UKIP alliance, but say they've never been stronger and are ready to lead the Island to success.

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.

18, April 2017·1 min read

Island Independent leader joins call for united candidate against Andrew Turner

Julia Baker-Smith has called upon the Island’s progressive parties to stand a single, democratically selected candidate against Andrew Turner at the General Election.

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.

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.

15, May 2017·1 min read

Councillor calls for academy sponsor to be removed from the Isle of Wight

A motion being heard at the Extra-Ordinary Full Council meeting demands that Academy sponsor, AET, be removed from the role of managing any school on the Isle of Wight.

18, May 2017·1 min read

‘Dark Day for Island Democracy’ say Island Indies

The Island Independents say the constitutional changes voted through at last night's council meeting are "even worse even than the ‘Pugh days’", adding that the "Conservatives are effectively silencing the opposition".

18, May 2017·3 min read

Council’s direction on future of Sandown Bay Academy should be known in next 48 hours

The treatment of staff and pupils at Sandown Bay Academy by its sponsor, Academies Enterprise Trust, was described as appalling, atrocious and disappointing by councillors. They voted to have AET removed from all Island schools.

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