An Alliance group spokesperson claims controversial Isle of Wight school closure plans are at the heart of a motion of no confidence levelled against the Isle of Wight Council’s leader – the second in as many months.
However, Conservative Group leader, Councillor Suzie Ellis, has not elaborated on the reason for today’s (Tuesday) announcement, saying she did not want to go into specifics, subsequently adding it was one of a number of considerations.
Support from 20 councillors
A vote over leadership at County Hall will be held on 20th September.
More details are expected after an agenda paper is published early next month.
The motion has the support of 20 Isle of Wight councillors, representing more than half of those currently sitting at County Hall in Newport.
“Difficult decisions in a timely manner”
In today’s statement, Councillor Ellis, who has been in charge of the Conservatives since mid-July, said the council needs to “have a leadership which is prepared to make the right — and sometimes difficult — decisions in a timely manner.”
The statement does not explain why the move is being taken, just weeks after Councillor Ellis withdrew her support for a similar motion.
In July, she said she would not be backing a plan led by the Empowering Islanders group of councillors, saying it did not reflect the approach she would be taking.
Conservatives ‘want to pursue school closures’
A spokesperson for the leading Alliance group of councillors claimed the Conservatives want to pursue school closures, suggesting nine could shut.
The spokesperson said the Alliance group had opted for a more collaborative approach, saying,
“We first need to deal with the position created by Hampshire County Council and use that opportunity to have a public debate as to how we best structure Island education, and in particular how we support our small and rural schools, where possible.”
Hampshire ending partnership
In July, Hampshire County Council said it would be terminating its children’s services, education and skills partnership with the Isle of Wight Council.
There is an ongoing issue with surplus places in primary schools – in other words too few children to fill the available places across the Island.
Headteachers want changes
A group of school leaders previously said 39 ‘increasingly inefficient’ primaries could be reduced to around 30 more efficient ones, to deal with the impact of surplus places on teacher recruitment, school finances and the quality of education.
In June 2022, Isle of Wight headteachers and governors wrote to the council to save pupils from what they called a mediocre education long into the future.
Change to cabinet responsibilities
Earlier this month, Alliance and Isle of Wight Council leader, Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, apologised for the way some announcements relating to education had been made.
She took over as as education lead, removing Councillor Debbie Andre as the cabinet member in charge. Instead, Councillor Andre will retain responsibility for children’s services and lifelong skills, and will also take on the lead role for issues relating to poverty.
What happens next?
If the motion announced today is successful, Councillor Ellis would take on the role of council leader.
As previously reported by News OnTheWight, Councillor Ellis says her motion is not a reflection of Councillor Peacey-Wilcox as an individual, adding she feels the leader has worked very hard and has discharged her duties with the best interests of the Island in mind.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
