The leader of Isle of Wight council, Phil Jordan, has come under fire for what has been described by some as ‘outrageous’ behaviour at last week’s Cabinet meeting. Councillor Jordan has since said he was dealing with a difficult councillor and that unless the context was understood, it could be seen in a different way.
About 11 minutes into last Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, just after Councillor Michael Lilley (LibDem) had been thanked by the council leader for his engagement that had helped officers and cabinet members reach an amendment to the Draft Island Planning Strategy (DIPS) that was acceptable to them, Councillor Peter Spink (Empowering Islanders) was invited to ask a question.
Spink: Offered no co-operation over his amendments
Councillor Spink started by stating that all the amendments he had put forward to the DIPS had been turned down in writing and he had not been invited to discuss them with officers or Cabinet members.
He said he felt there had been no co-operation with him over his amendments “whatsoever”.
Removing quality agricultural land from development allocations
Councillor Spink asked whether the proposed amendment (see here) would mean that ‘best and most versatile agricultural land’ would be taken out of the allocations.
He pointed out that the National Planning Policy Framework stated that development on ‘best and most versatile agricultural land’ should be avoided wherever possible.
Fuller: Already a policy included in the Plan
Councillor Paul Fuller, the Cabinet member for Planning, confirmed that there was already a policy in relation to high quality agricultural land included in the draft Island Planning Strategy, and that it has been included in order to challenge some planning applications, as retention of agricultural land is considered by the Cabinet as ‘very important’.
Whilst Councillor Fuller sought to find the relevant policy within the documents, Councillor Spink asked again whether ‘best and most versatile agricultural land’ would cease to be an allocated site.
Jordan: Written response
Councillor Jordan replied that Councillor Spink would be given a written response to the question.
Councillor Spink replied, “No, no. no,” to which Councillor Jordan asked whether he had a second question, several times, before becoming visibly irritated.
“When I’ve had an answer to this one,” Councillor Spink stated, but then went on to ask a second question. Councillor Jordan started to reply, but was interrupted by Councillor Spink who said firmly, “I will speak!”
“Actually you won’t speak,” replied Councillor Jordan as he slammed his gavel, stood up and pointed directly at Councillor Spink and said, “You won’t speak!”
Refused to leave the meeting
“How dare you!” Councillor Spink replied. He was then asked asked to leave the room, Councillor Spink refused, the leader then asked an officer to have Councillor Spink removed.
The meeting was then suspended, when the live stream returned, the Monitoring Officer, Christopher Potter, was on the screen, but any advice he had given was not heard by those watching online.
Councillor Spink remained in the room, the meeting continued, the motion was passed unanimously.
Jordan: Rose to keep order
Following the meeting, A clip of the video is reported as being widely shared on social media.
Councillor Jordan has told the BBC that he rose to keep order and “not in an angry manner”.
Speaking to the BBC, the council leader said he rose in accordance with the council’s rules of debate, which say: “When the chairman stands during a debate, any member speaking at the time must stop.”
He also told the BBC, that he was dealing with a difficult councillor and that unless the context was understood, it could be seen in a different way.
Spink: Unacceptable, undemocratic and unbecoming
Councillor Spink has described the leader’s as behaviour as unacceptable, undemocratic and unbecoming.
Councillor Chris Jarman (Empowering Islanders) told News OnTheWight,
“There are those who presume to take undue advantage of their position, but thankfully there are those who can correct them and others that are prepared to call them out. Councillor Spink, although silenced, remained for the entirety of the meeting as is his right, frustrating to Councillor Jordan’s frightening tantrum and angry declarations.
“Disappointingly therefore, Councillor Spink’s important question was never answered in the meeting and a written response is now awaited.”
Watch the video
You can watch the entire meeting yourselves by visiting the council’s YouTube channel. The exchange begins at around 11 minutes into the recording.
