In response to Cllr Geoff Lumley’s comments on town and parish councils being asked to fund more services, a response from Cllr Luisa Hillard, Executive member for sustainability, environment and public realm, has been shared with OnTheWight.
Cllr Lumley had claimed that getting County Hall to tell Newport Parish Council how much the services they want to take on would cost “has been like drawing teeth”.
‘Engaging’ for 18 months
Cllr Hillard responded,
“The Isle of Wight Council has been engaging with town and parish councils and the Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils (IWALC) for the past 18 months regarding the potential delivery of public realm services.
“We wrote to every town and parish council last year, inviting them to meet with officers and Councillor Steve Stubbings, who has responsibility liaising with local councils, to discuss discretionary services in their areas. At the same time we invited towns and parishes to put forward proposals for supporting other Isle of Wight Council activities.
“All local councils were then provided with a spreadsheet detailing the discretionary, public realm services in their areas, along with the associated costs. In order for the council to plan its 2015/16 budget, councils were asked to respond by October 2014. This was followed up with a letter confirming which services the town and parish councils had agreed to deliver, along with confirmation of the level of services that would continue to be provided by the Isle of Wight Council.”
Agreements already made with Newport Parish council
Cllr Hillard went on to say,
“Newport Parish Council has been proactive in this process and met with officers and Councillor Stubbings several times to scope out how local services could be retained and supported.
“The parish council continues to have dialogue with council officers but has already agreed to maintain planters in St Thomas Square, St James Square, Church Lane and Carisbrooke Road, as well as the Simeon Memorial Garden.
“In addition they have agreed to fully fund an environment officer service in the town and contribute towards grounds maintenance at Nine Acres Playing Field and Victoria Recreation Ground. Negotiations are ongoing regarding the future management of another recreation ground within the town.”
She finished by saying,
“We have had a mixed response from town and parish councils, with some taking a very proactive approach and working with us whilst others have failed to engage.
“However, we would be very happy to speak to representatives of local councils regarding services in their area, should they need further assistance in developing their plans.”
Cllr Lumley’s response to the above was simply,
“18 months! Says it all.”
