Following last night’s Full Council meeting (read the updates and comments on our Facebook Page), this in from three Independent councillors, in their own words. Ed
Independent Councillors have invoked Procedure Rule 15 of the Isle of Wight Council’s Constitution and have written to the Chairman of the Isle of Wight Council to demand a State of the Island Debate.
Councillor Ian Stephens, the Independent Group Coordinator said: ” In light of the recent judicial review and the implication that this has for the Isle of Wight Council, we feel that it is necessary to call members of the Cabinet, the Leader and Senior Officers to account.”
Making those responsible accountable
“A State of the Island Debate will enable us to question these individuals and come to some conclusions as to why we are in the mess we are in and what can be done going forward.
“Independent Councillors intend to put forward a robust Budget proposal in February and we see this as a possible source of information that will help us to better understand the challenges we face as an Island and also to investigate the way in which the Conservative led administration have brought us to this place.
“The way in which this administration has implemented cuts and more importantly the impact of those cuts on residents has been lamentable. For many of us the recent Judicial Review on Adult Social Care eligibility criteria that has shown
the consultation process to have been unlawful was the final straw and we need an opportunity to discuss all aspects of this administration’s policies”
Outcome made public and considered by Cabinet
Procedure Rule 15 states that the outcome of the debate will be:
(a) disseminated as widely as possible within the community and to agencies and organisations in the area; and
(b) considered by the Cabinet in proposing the budget and policy framework to the Council for the coming year.
Additional clarification
Update 18.11.11: Ian Stephens has provided this additional clarification, “Further to the request made by myself for a State of the Island Debate to Councillor David Williams I would like to emphasise the projected outcomes as stated in the Constitution of the Isle of Wight Council are as follows:
Procedure Rule 15 states that the outcome of the debate will be:
(a) disseminated as widely as possible within the community and to agencies and organisations in the area.(b) considered by the Cabinet in proposing the budget and policy framework to the Council for the coming year.
“The request has been put forward and I await the response from the Isle of Wight Council Chairman.
“However, if granted this will be the first time this has been utilised and the framework and potential attendees will be subject for discussion.
“I feel that the debate could utilise the findings of the Isle of Wight Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) 2011. This is a joint assessment from Police, Health and the Isle of Wight Council. This document, as has been previously reported, is also a first for the Isle of Wight and the Debate could provide the ideal forum to utilise the information collated”
