The following report was sent to OnTheWight by someone who attended Tuesday’s first Cabinet meeting of the new Independent-led Isle of Wight council, but who wishes to remain anonymous. Ed
The first Cabinet meeting of the new independent-led Isle of Wight Council kicked off promptly at 6pm last night – and there were NO members of the public present. Almost unheard of in the David Pugh days!
Are all Islanders already entirely happy with the change they voted for on 2nd May?
All votes won without dissent
However, as the meeting wound its way through its 70-minute duration (and two regular public attenders eventually arrived), there was one very clear similarity from the old days.
Each and every vote was won without dissent. 9:0 was the score on all votes, like one of those Scottish football results from my youth.
More friendly, constructive and helpful
However, the style of Cllr Ian Stephens’ chairing was far more relaxed than under the previous regime.
Clearly his Cabinet members have more freedom than I have seen in the past six years. And he continued David Pugh’s practice of allowing observing councillors to chip-in and ask questions at each separate point on the agenda. This they did and in a style perhaps more friendly, constructive and helpful than in the past.
Positively polite
So much so that Cllr Steve Stubbings complemented all the six opposition members present – Tory, Labour and LibDem – for the courteousness of their approach.
And Cabinet members frequently thanked opposition members for their contributions, prompting Cllr Stephens to remark that this WAS a Cabinet meeting, not the Scrutiny Committee.
Changed atmosphere
I won’t report on the actual content of the meeting, which I am sure will emerge from other sources, but I felt it was important to convey the changed atmosphere that is now permeating proceedings at County Hall.
Image: Denis Krebs under CC BY 2.0
