At last night’s full council meeting, members voted in favour of constitutional changes to allow the abolition of the Advisory Executive Groups and the creation of three Select Committees.
Namely,
- Children’s Services
- Economy and Tourism
- Environment and Transport
Children’s Services Select Committee
Leader of the council, Ian Stephens, nominated John Howe (Ind) as chairman of the Children’s Services. Cllr Jon Gilbey (Ind Ind) nominated Cllr Conrad Gauntlett (Con). The nominations were put to the vote, with Cllr Howe receiving 19 votes, Cllr Gauntlett 17.
Cllr Howe was appointed as chair of the Children’s Services Select Committee.
Economy and Tourism Select Committee
Cllr Stephens nominated Cllr Whitby-Smith (Ind), whilst Cllr Stewart (Con) nominated Cllr Wayne Whittle (Con).
Cllr Stubbings opposed the nomination questioning whether Cllr Whittle, who owns businesses that benefit from the tourist trade, could remain impartial. He said he was seriously concerned that council “would be brought into disrepute if we were asked to elect a chair who is responsible for tourism who has clearly a serious pecuniary interest in matters relating to tourism”.
This suggestion was met with vocal objection by most members of the opposition party.
Legal advice given
The monitoring officer said she’d given advice that if an agenda item being discussed could have an impact on Cllr Whittle’s business interests that he’d have to leave the room and pass to another member to chair.
Members voted on the nominations and Cllr Whittle attracted 14 votes, whilst Cllr Whitby-Smith gained the lead with 21 votes.
Cllr Whitby-Smith was appointed as chair of the Economy and Tourism Select Committee.
Environment and Transport Select Committee
There was only one nomination for the Environment and Transport Select Committee, but not for a want of trying.
Cllr Stephens nominated Cllr Jon Gilbey (Ind Ind).
Iy was a surprising nomination given that Cllr Gilbey was one of those rumoured to be involved in an attempt to overthrow the Island Independents in September.
Lumley: “I will be opposing Cllr Jon Gilbey”
Cllr Lumley told members that he did not want any Conservative councillors to run any aspect of the council. He added,
“Members who had been elected as nothing or Independent who then start to scheme and plot with the Conservatives are not going to have my support. I will be opposing Cllr Jon Gilbey and I urge anyone with a brain in this room that’s anti-Conservative to join me.”
Denied a nomination
The chair put the nomination to the vote, but was was interrupted by Cllr Stubbings who said that he wanted to make another nomination.
He said he’d tried to speak several times. The chairman, Cllr Ian Ward (Con) denied him a nomination and continued with the named vote.
Cllr Lumley and Cllr Hillard both voted against. Cllr Hollands and Stubbings abstained. All other councillors present voted in favour of Cllr Gilbey.
Let’s hope the council can get on with business now, after several months of poorly attended meetings to discuss policy and issues that affect the entire Island.
Image: quintanomedia under CC BY 2.0
