At the Isle of Wight council’s Full Council meeting, held on 20th September, the newly elected Leader, Councillor Phil Jordan announced he would be looking at ways to enable cross chamber working in the coming weeks.
In a meeting with Group Leaders on 12th October, Councillor Jordan shared a credible plan to enable cross chamber working, offering a system that included Councillors from all sides of the chamber. He was inviting Councillors to work with Cabinet Members on four portfolios, that he believes are the most important for residents as well as the council.
‘Cabinet support team’ or ‘advisory groups’
On Housing, Children’s Services and Education, Adult Social Care and the Budget/Finance up to three councillors will be able to work alongside each Cabinet Member. This is to assist and help with policies and decision making.
Through agreement with Group Leaders, councillors best suited to the roles will be able to engage in what he regards as a ‘cabinet support team’ or ‘advisory groups’. This he believes, is in the best interests of decision making for Island residents.
Cabinet roles offered to non-Alliance councillors
Speaking today, Monday (16th October), Councillor Jordan said,
“I promised I would look at ways to try to enable cross chamber working on the evening I was elected as Leader. My first action was to contact other group leaders to discuss the potential for offering cabinet roles to non-Alliance Councillors.
“Following a conversation with the then-Conservative leader, Councillor Suzie Ellis, it became clear that regretfully, the Conservatives could not accept roles under their local constitution.
“The non-aligned single members said they would politely decline any cabinet roles if offered. The LibDem group were happy to remain outside of cabinet roles and it was clear that we would never get a true, representative cross chamber cabinet in place.”
Hybrid cabinet model
He went on to add,
“With that in mind and acknowledging the hurdles, I suggested a hybrid cabinet model and offered cabinet support/advisory roles, working alongside cabinet members, as part of a team that set policies and took decisions.
“I have now offered that system out to the other group leaders and received agreement and positive engagement from the LibDems, the single non-aligned members and the Alliance.
“I am awaiting a decision from the Conservative group as to whether or not they will also engage with this cross chamber working arrangement. I am hopeful that they will. At the time of going to press, The Empowering Islander group have not confirmed their intentions, one way or another, on engaging across chamber. I am awaiting a reply.
“The Isle of Wight council has no overall control by any single group currently elected in the council. Kent Council runs a similar system of cabinet advisory groups, where cross chamber councillors work alongside the existing cabinet member, to aid and assist in decision making. This I feel, is an excellent way of working and delivers on my promise.”
Councillor Jordan was elected leader on 20th September Full Council meeting following a closely fought contest that saw him receive one extra vote to conservative Councillor Ellis.
Cllr Jordan went on to say,
“Having listened to the views at Full Council it became clear that members wanted a cross chamber arrangement. I promised I would look at such an arrangement and have now delivered that to Councillors.
“I look forward to those that voiced support, to come forward and engage with this exciting, working proposal.
“In doing so, contributing to the positive steps this Council is taking, for the betterment of the Island and its residents.”
News shared by Phil, in his own words. Ed
