As we are approaching half-way through the term of the Alliance Group’s time in office at County Hall, News OnTheWight approached each of the Cabinet members offering an opportunity to highlight the work of their portfolio and their hopes for the coming year.
We began with Isle of Wight council leader, Lora Peacey-Wilcox, followed by Cllr Jonathan Bacon, Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, Cllr Debbie Andre, Cllr Karen Lucioni, Cllr Karl Love, Cllr Chris Jarman and Cllr Phil Jordan
The final Cabinet member to share their update is Cllr Ian Stephens, whose portfolio covers Digital Transformation, Housing, Homelessness and Poverty. In his own words. Ed
Throughout the recent months, following on from the pandemic Lockdowns, the Isle of Wight council has been working with local organisations to provide a cohesive support across the Island.
There are a multitude of pressures on individuals and families, and support is there to cover a whole raft of needs, whether it’s someone to chat to about money worries, seeing a friendly face at a warm space or getting information about all available support.
Supporting households facing hardship
This winter more than £1.1 million of Household Support Funding is available to varying schemes and initiatives which support those households facing hardship.
This expands on the offerings of previous funding rounds and includes support for foster carers registered with the council, unpaid carers, care leavers and people with disabilities.
The funding has widened the support available to reach out to those who may not be eligible for other assistance, but are nevertheless in need.
Community Pantries
New financial assistance has enabled us to establish three new community pantries on the Island and these pantries provide significant benefits for families as they are open to everyone and, in exchange for a membership fee, members can purchase groceries at a much lower cost than supermarkets.
Living Well and Early Help Partnership
The Isle of Wight council, through the Adult Social Care Department, has recently launched a new mobile hub to support people in some of the more remote areas of the Island in staying well, keeping their independence and becoming closely connected with their local community this winter.
The hub will be getting right into the heart of our communities to reach those who feel isolated, alone or on the outskirts of society. Times, dates and areas will be programmed in so that residents can be aware of the visits. The mobile hub will be a place for them to come, feel comfortable and find out about local help and support that’s right for them.
Cost of living support
There is a Web page with information on the cost of living, also some ‘signposting’ to our partner organisations and groups – Information also displays national as well as local support.
It also includes a list of warm and welcoming spaces where residents can meet others, take part in activities, get a warm drink or meal, or spend some quiet time away from home.
Help and information is also available at the end of a telephone line with our partners at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB), continuing their expert work to support Islanders and if you’re struggling, please call them on 0800 144 88 48.
The Footprint Trust can be contacted by phoning (01983) 822282 and can really help households with energy saving information.
Please do not struggle, support is available
I know that Island people are resilient however some who have never asked for help in the past may need to do so this winter.
Please do not struggle, as support is readily available for all Islanders, and so I emphasise please do ask for help if you need it.
Food Poverty and Waste Conference
After visiting Pan Together and witnessed the phenomenal work undertaken I was invited to speak at the Food Poverty and Waste Conference at the Riverside Centre, where I witnessed the tremendous efforts being put into place by many organisations which are providing services across our Island.
The message loud and clear is that anyone struggling or concerned should not suffer, but contact the widely publicised help. Please keep warm and safe throughout the coming months and look after all within your district.
Housing and Homelessness
Housing and Homelessness are high on the list of concerns of the Alliance administration which recognised that the situation would not change without a clear change in the responsibility. Various forms of the housing services were split into four areas of IWC services, with no ‘go to individual’.
I felt that this situation required attention and with agreement of a new substantive Chief Executive a Housing Manager has taken up the post, allowing for more cohesive working and oversight.
The WightHomes company
Much has been said of the WightHomes company which was entered into Company House with one director which I deemed as unsatisfactory. I stand by this judgement.
The objects were not inclusive of all areas which need clarification. Dealing with the public purse we needed further legal input and this is the current situation. I can assure you that had it been satisfactory and been available I would have taken it as one of the mediums which would be currently utilised.
Council housing
The IWC can own a maximum of 200 homes/units without the need for a company, and at present the total does not exceed 100.
We have purchased five properties during 2022 through our homelessness and rough sleepers initiatives, however in the present financial climate we have been advised by our finance directorate that if we purchase housing through the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) then a five per cent return will need to be obtained.
Unable to purchase
A budget amendment was passed at Full Council in February 2022 allowing access to borrowing £5m and although submissions have been made to purchase housing stock, due to the percentage return required we could not move forward on the purchasing.
This is frustrating and disappointing and I am seeking ways which can rectify this, acknowledging the IWC budgetary constraints.
Highlighting the plight of our homeless
I have appeared on TV Politics South and BBC Radio highlighting the plight of our homeless, and stating the number of second homes and Airbnbs.
The IWC works with private landlords and offers incentives to acquire accommodation, and we need property owners to participate so that we can secure Island homes for Island people. At the Riverside in November 2022 a Landlords Fair was held and was one of the many ways we reach out to the private sector.
IWC now a Rental Provider
I have met with the three main Rental Providers (RPs) on the Island and we have now meaningful ongoing dialogue from whom I am pushing for more investment. I am pleased to say that the IWC has also become an RP during 2022 which will allow us to bid for Homes England grant funding.
I have also met with private developers in an effort to understand the problems of housing development on the Island
New house purchasing scheme
I am endeavouring to bring a new (to the Island) concept of purchasing a home to the Isle of Wight.
This allows a person to enter a scheme whereby they can, at a reduced rent, rent a newly built property (built within the scheme) for a term five or ten years, for example, whilst putting money aside for the deposit of that home.
Empty properties
There are many empty properties on the Island and I have insisted that we concentrate on contacting those owners/properties seeking to undertake partnership working with them.
We have started to check and contact those properties which might be empty from six months to two years. This is ongoing work and we have a new Empty Property Officer starting in January 2022.
Land banking and rent allowances
I have asked for information on successful planning applications on the Isle of Wight above ten units and am waiting for the information. As a member of the Local Government Association (LGA) Executive I put forward proposals against land banking, although I am not suggesting this is the case on the Island.
Likewise through the LGA I have requested that rent allowances to those in the private sector should be increased to assist household struggling to pay increased rents. I know that representatives from the private rental sector have representations to the local MP, as I have.
Corporate IT
Corporate IT is an area within my remit and the introduction of mobile working assisted throughout the early days of the Covid pandemic, and it has proven to continue.
I acknowledge that staff were implementing this workstyle under the previous administration, and the new way of working, complete with hubs out in the community, has greatly assisted the current support in our ant-poverty support efforts.
This has reduced costs of travel and our carbon footprint, also allowing for a more dynamic response. New hybrid meeting rooms at three locations also give this benefit, allowing for flexibility and cost-effective collaboration between businesses, the voluntary sector, the Isle of Wight council and other public sector bodies.
Hybrid meetings
The installation of an upgrade regenerator with increased reliability has enabled greater continuity and reliability which has also enabled hybrid meetings to take place at County Hall with increasing public engagement of council meeting at County Hall, saving in time and travel whilst allowing the residents to link in.
A review of mobile phones has reduced usage and numbers issued, which has reduced costs, whilst also contributing to the planting of trees through the new contracts.
New Digital Strategy approved
During 2022 a new Digital Strategy was approved, and we are currently reviewing projects whilst moving forward, mindful of the impending huge budget challenges.
The IWC has joined the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Accelerator (DCIA), an early adopters’ group for mobile communications which will assist in many future applications through wireless networks.
Council’s Website
During the first month of my tenure as cabinet member much was reported of the lamentable situation of the new Website, however thanks to the dedication and talent of hardworking IT staff we have turned the corner and I am informed that the ‘go live’ is scheduled for April 2022.
The latest news is that the IWC is part of a joint bid with Southampton CC and Portsmouth CC for grant funding for a digital services project on Robotic Process Automation and again this highlights how IWC staff are looking for future IT opportunities for the IWC and our Island.
My thoughts for 2023…
I would like to continue full on my support to the Alliance Leader, having been there myself I know it is sometimes a challenging lonely place to be.
Get housing and homelessness on track and moving forward positively with rental property for Island people at Island (affordable) rents. Get all families with children out of temporary accommodation and B&Bs. I want to continue forging partnerships for collaborative working
Assist our young Islanders in achieving their full potential whilst giving the best facilities and services we can get for our elderly with housing and support.
Get the affordable houses for purchase down much lower than the present 80 per cent of purchase price (affordable housing to purchase for Island people). Help get our Island to be a better place for all.
Find a way of bringing forward housing rentable properties at ISLAND affordable prices.
