A set of ‘essential’ actions to improve the Isle of Wight Council after the damning Penn report described it as ‘dysfunctional’ were agreed by councillors last night (Wednesday 19th November 2025).
Full council endorsed independent consultant Richard Penn’s recommendations which include enforcing codes of conduct at meetings, creating a standards committee and increasing member involvement in policy development.
Read more about the Penn Report
Lacking procedures
Mr Penn, a former Commissioner for Standards at the Welsh Assembly, compiled a review of the local authority which highlighted a troubled organisational culture.
His report said policies and procedures meant to provide ‘checks and balances’ on the behaviour of members and officers are ‘all too often ignored’ or ‘forgotten’.
It also featured concerns raised by some councillors relating to staff performance, with one representative describing County Hall as ‘like the Marie Celeste’ on Fridays because of the work from home policy.
Penn: “Somewhat humbled” by how the report had been received by councillors
Addressing the chamber on Wednesday evening, Mr Penn (pictured left above) said he hoped his work would allow the council a “much-needed reset” but added he had been “somewhat humbled” by how the report had been received by councillors. He said,
“I’ve read the various statements in the local media with a genuine appreciation.
“The open and honest way in which councillors have responded to the report and acknowledged the shortcomings in the way the council’s operated in the past and the enthusiasm for change and improvement.”
Garratt: Apologising to all
Councillor Andrew Garratt, County Hall’s deputy leader and leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said by passing Mr Penn’s recommendations councillors were “saying sorry” to colleagues, members, officers and “most of all” to the public they represent.
Mosdell: You shouldn’t need to have training to tell you how to be a decent human being
Meanwhile, the independent member for Newchurch, Havenstreet and Ashey, Clare Mosdell, said,
“When this report came out, most of the comments online were ‘no surprise here’.
“People haven’t been behaving like decent people and behaviour you wouldn’t get away with in a workplace – you would have been hauled over the coals, and you wouldn’t have a job anymore.”
She went on to say,
“You shouldn’t need to have training to tell you how to be a decent human being and how to treat others with respect.”
Price: I’ve sat through some awful situations
Councillor Matthew Price, the Conservative representative for Fairlee and Whippingham, said,
“I’ve sat through some awful situations, perhaps I should have been the one that stood up and said let’s stop this behaviour.”
However, Councillor Price said even in his “most agitated state” he had “hardly been rude” and conducted himself as respectfully as possible.
Jones-Evans: A sobering report
Newport Central Alliance councillor Julie Jones-Evans described the Penn report as “very sobering” and told the chamber that while it was possible to “disagree and challenge”, this should be done in a civil manner.
Spink: “Them and us” attitude
Councillor Peter Spink, the Empowering Islanders member for Freshwater North and Yarmouth, said training for officers and councillors recommended by the Penn report should be partly combined.
He said this would minimise a feeling among some councillors of “them and us” and lead to an understanding of each separate role.
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
