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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.

Unite the Isle of Wight Demo at MP's office

5, March 2016·2 min read

Andrew Turner: ‘I didn’t say [Minister] would give us more money’

Very much to the surprise of those who went to a constituency surgery meeting with Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner, he led constituents to believe that Islanders shouldn't expect financial support from the Minister.

4, March 2016·1 min read

Alternative solution being sought for night shelter, says councillor in charge

Cllr Julia Baker Smith says she is working with the volunteers running the night shelter and soup kitchen in order to find a suitable alternative solution for the night shelter.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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'.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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