Isle of Wight residents are being urged to share their views on the future of local government before the ‘Our Place, Our Future’ survey closes this Sunday, 27th July.
The Isle of Wight Council, alongside neighbouring authorities across Hampshire, is gathering public feedback on how local services should be delivered under possible changes to council structures.
Aiming to reflect local needs
The survey explores how well current arrangements reflect local identity and whether changes could better serve communities.
Councillor Phil Jordan, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said,
“We’re really grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share their views so far. If you haven’t yet taken part, please do so before Sunday.”
Survey changes aim to improve access
Following earlier community responses, the council simplified the survey format to make it quicker and easier to complete.
The Isle of Wight would remain a unitary authority under the proposals. Most of Hampshire currently operates with both county and district or borough councils. The proposals under consideration involve merging these into four new unitary councils centred on Portsmouth, Southampton, Winchester, and Basingstoke.
Criticism from local councillor
However, the consultation has drawn strong criticism from Independent Socialist councillor Geoff Brodie, who described the survey as “possibly the most non-user-friendly and complex survey I have encountered in a long time”.
In a written question to the council’s Policy, Finance and Resources Committee, he said he expected most Islanders to “give up” on completing it.
Concerns about intent
Councillor Brodie also questioned the council leadership’s support for the survey. He asked,
“Can I ask now – leader or deputy – who was responsible for this survey and did this council leadership really endorse it?
“If so, do they really care what Islanders think about local government reorganisation or are they just going to plough ahead with their own political agenda?”
Survey details and how to take part
The survey is being run independently and will feed into proposals submitted to the government later this year.
Residents can take part online or request a paper version or telephone interview by:
- Emailing: [email protected]
- Calling: 020 7845 5880 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)
- Picking up a paper copy from any council library
More information is available on the Isle of Wight Council’s website.
