Up next is Conservative councillor for Niton and Whitwell, Dave Stewart. Dave is also group leader for the Conservative councillors. In his own words. Ed
Well six months has now elapsed since the new local council was elected and as we all now know the election result led to a change of administration in terms of the group leading the council.
In addition with David Pugh not being re-elected the outcome also led to the election of a new leader of the conservative group in the council and I was successfully elected to that position.
I would want to place on record recognition of the many achievements of the previous administration – including the introduction of visit isle of wight and the DMO; a successful community library programme complimenting the IWC service; steps to progress a Tidal Energy Project; Nationally recognised success with our Apprentiship scheme; an excellent environmentally friendly waste disposal programme; Improvements to Children’s centres; A significant roads improvement scheme and throughout effective and legal budget management.
However I recognise there have also been aspects of the work of the previous administration which have attracted criticism – such as the introduction of a two tier system for schools as well as an inference that the way this was managed contributed to the series of poor Ofsted results across the Island – that may or may not be an accurate assessment (I take the view the position is far more complex than that and involves many factors which go back over many years and to do justice to such a statement would need a whole separate debate) – but with the introduction of Hampshire CC to oversee our schools improvement approach which is now being recognised across the Island as making a much needed positive contribution to improvement in our education system – this now enables us to move on from the past in a positive way and I believe the future for education is in good hands.
For me as a newly appointed leader within the conservative group my focus has been on achieving two clear goals – firstly ensuring I continue to do the best I can for residents in my ward who I have been elected to serve (whatever their political or non-political views) and secondly to fulfil my duties as group leader in a professional and business like way – building a new team recognising that although I have a different leadership style to my predecessor albeit our underpinning conservative principals remain aligned.
I have a number of targets in the immediate future : – I want to see the council actively supporting small business development as I believe this holds the key to improving the jobs market for Islanders ; I want to see the DMO continue to be successful as this will also have a positive impact on our economy, especially in tourism ; I want to see the council to manage its scarce resources carefully and ensure we look after the most vulnerable in our society ; and I like may other Island residents want my grandchildren to have a good education on the Island and achieve a successful future.
As a final footnote people may be interested to know that the Island was where I was born and has been my family home for much of my life. I appreciate its unique features and understand why people chose to have their home here. I believe it is our role in the council to strive to maintain and improve the quality of life for all Islanders and do so within a climate of limited resources and difficult financial decisions – but it can be done through good leadership and members working together for the good of the community.
