First up is Labour councillor for Newport East, Geoff Lumley. In his own words. Ed
How are things working out for the new IW Council after six months ?
For the previous eight years I had spent a great deal of my time battling a dogmatic Conservative Council, whilst primarily focusing on ward matters. So it was with real trepidation that I awaited the outcome of last May’s elections. I was sure the Tories would lose control, but I needed to see the concrete reality.
Thankfully my confidence was not misplaced and in the absence of a much longed-for Labour Council, I was reasonably comfortable with the make-up of the new Independent-led Council. Many of them were councillors I have worked with positively in the past, including the new Council Leader.
Budget time
The last six months have been a honeymoon period for them on my part, but it is a honeymoon I am still comfortable with. That is until the Independents have to start making some really difficult – even terrible – Budget decisions in the new year.
That is when the honeymoon will probably be over…..though I won’t seek a fight for the sake of it and I have offered my input into their Budget deliberations should they want it.
Transparency and accountability
In the meantime, I have welcomed the new leadership’s commitment to transparency and accountability and their strong determination to facilitate effective opposition overview and scrutiny of their proposed and past decisions.
As the Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee this has made this committee relevant and of interest to Islanders for the first time in some years. And they have responded positively to most of my requests for changes in decision-making procedures, so that my committee can become more strategic than reactive.
Settled in well
So all in all the first six months ‘school report’ could be marked up as, “Settled in well. Popular with colleagues, but needs to start demonstrating they have what it takes when the really hard work begins.”
I wish them well with that.
Geoff Lumley, Leader of the Labour Group
