Months of keeping an Isle of Wight housing councillor’s rental properties out of public view came under scrutiny at County Hall this week.
At Wednesday’s full council meeting (21st January 2026), Councillor Geoff Brodie asked council leader Phil Jordan why law and procedure was not “applied consistently” regarding housing committee member, and Reform UK councillor, Caroline Gladwin’s rental “portfolio”.
List demanded
His comments followed a decision by monitoring officer Christopher Potter, to ask Councillor Gladwin for a list of her current rental properties immediately, or by 31st January 2026 at the latest.
In an email to councillors, Mr Potter said he did not regard such interests as sensitive, contrasting with a view taken by interim monitoring officer Francis Fernandes.
“Sensitivity” exception
Mr Fernandes previously said Councillor Gladwin had declared her rental properties to the monitoring officer, but they had not been put on the public register “because there’s an issue about sensitivity”.
At the meeting on Wednesday, Councillor Brodie said transparency would inform Islanders as to whether Councillor Gladwin holds a “vested interest” in council decisions she is participating.
The Independent Socialist member for Pan and Barton was told by Councillor Jordan the council has taken account of the monitoring officer’s decision.
Brodie: Join me in applauding decision of monitoring officer?
Councillor Brodie said,
“Leader, I will presume you are as committed to the council and all your councillor colleagues being as transparent as possible in council decision-making as I am.
“You will also be well aware of the legal requirement for a full declaration of interest by each and every councillor for publication on the council website.
“Therefore, will you join me in welcoming and applauding the decision of the returning and substantive monitoring officer that Reform UK councillor Gladwin at last be required to reveal her portfolio of rental properties on the Isle of Wight?
“A requirement that will inform Islanders as to whether she has a vested interest in council decisions she is participating – a decision that should have been made at the time of councillor Gladwin’s election in May last year, eight months ago or soon after.”
Jordan: Monitoring officer responsible for determining what must be declared
Alliance group leader Councillor Jordan replied,
“All councillors are required to declare interests in accordance with the council’s code of conduct and statutory requirements, and the monitoring officer is responsible for determining what must be declared and published.
“The council will continue to follow that process consistently and in line with the law.”
Further questions
Brodie continued,
“Could I ask the leader then, why wasn’t the law and procedure applied consistently in this case last May?
“Why has it been left until only this month to have been resolved despite my protestations, supported by 18 other members of this council?”
In response, Councillor Jordan said,
“We have taken account of the monitoring officer’s decision. We did so then, we do so now and we move forward on the basis that the monitoring officer has made his decision on this.”
Contacted for comment
Councillor Gladwin was present at the meeting but did not publicly respond to Councillor Brodie’s questions due to them being for the leader to answer.
She has been contacted for a comment.
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
