At last night’s Isle of Wight council members chose who the new Chairman and Vice-Chair of the council would be.
Councillor Chris Jarman (Empowering Islanders) and Councillor Karl Love (Alliance) were both nominated to be Chairman, both attracting 19 votes, but the chair’s Councillor Claire Critchison used her casting vote to support Councillor Love.
After signing the official documents and being adjourned with the civic chain, Councillor Love addressed the members,
“I will try my best to be fair and supportive to everybody in this chamber. It is a very special moment for me because I never ever thought I would be in a position like this and so it’s a great privilege and I am very humbled to be sat in this chair.”
Love: Claire has been a great ambassador for this council
He went on to say,
“I would like to obviously thank Claire for her role in this chair for the last two years and to wish her well in the future. It’s been great learning from you, observing you,l and thank you so much for everything that you have done for your community.
“You’ve been a great ambassador for this council and for this role.”
Members joined in a round of applause.
Critchison: I’m very grateful for that chance to be in this position
Councillor Critchison thanked members,
“My year as Vice-Chair and two years as Chair have been a fantastic opportunity, and I’m very grateful for that chance to be in this position. It’s given me so many occasions to attend events, present awards, represent the council and support the community.
“Some of the best experiences have been the school and youth groups visiting the council, royal visits, civic services, remembrance parades, commemorations, citizenship ceremonies, the Coburg 20- anniversary visit, presenting awards and many wonderful community events I have been able to be part of.
She went on to say,
“My last official engagement was on Monday at the opening of the Dementia Cafe in Cowes, seeing that building brought back into use for the community for that purpose was very special to me as my grandmother suffered with dementia, and used to work at Parklands when it was a children’s home.”
Councillor Critchison finished by thanking all the speakers who shared guidance, prayers and advice across a number of religions prior to council meetings.
Tribute to Shirley Smart
A tribute to the 40+ years of public service that Shirley Smart has given to the Isle of Wight community was given and Councillor Critichison said the council’s thoughts are with Shirley who resigned from Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council due to ill health.
Vice-chair
Councillor Vanessa Churchman (Conservative) and Councillor Ian Dore (Alliance) were both nominated as Vice-Chair. Councillor Churchman was voted in as Vice-Chair of the council, winning by one vote.
