Members of the Empowering Islanders (EI) Group say they have offered to assist with draft budgets from the Alliance, as well as other groups, as they prepare for next February’s budget setting for 2024/25.
The news follows the invitation by newly-elected council leader, Phil Jordan, earlier this week for opposition councillors to work with Cabinet Members on four portfolios within ‘cabinet support teams’ or ‘advisory groups’.
Jarman: Can put aside politics in favour of positive and open engagement
Councillor Chris Jarman, the former Alliance Cabinet member for finance, but now leader of the Empowering Islanders Group, told News OnTheWight,
“Empowering Islander Group launched with a goal of securing cross-chamber working at Isle of Wight Council and to ensure that all of the available talent and experience of the 39 Members could be engaged in tackling the challenges our Island faces.
“We remain true to that goal and to working with other Members and Groups that can put aside politics in favour of positive and open engagement.
“In tandem with other Groups and un-grouped members, we were invited to nominate any from our Group that could assist those all-Alliance Cabinet Members to complete their responsibilities – specifically our assistance on Finance was requested.”
Will review any Alliance or other Group proposals that could be incorporated
He went on to say,
“Empowering Islanders noted that we were already engaged with other Members in working together on a draft budget for the next financial year.
“However, in a spirit of cooperation, we responded positively that we desired to engage cross-chamber to discuss our work towards a draft Full Budget and offered to review any Alliance or other Group proposals that could be incorporated.”
Jarman: Goal is to reach a consensus
Councillor Jarman stated the goal of the group is to reach a consensus on a legal, balanced and prudent budget that the majority of our 39 Members could support, “whilst focusing on the key issues impacting the lives of Islanders and employers”.
He added,
“Whilst noting our concerns regarding recent statements made by Cabinet Members on schools, leisure facilities, housing and sale of Council land assets, we have reiterated our offer to review any contribution from the Alliance, whilst we actively seek out other views that will assist in avoiding higher than necessary expenditures, perpetuation of unsustainable operations and funding discretionary services to the detriment of essential ones.
“We sincerely hope that our offer is accepted and that the Executive Leader permits his Cabinet Members to contribute their skills, perspectives and proposals to our united efforts.”
Awaiting response
Councillor Jarman confirmed that the only EI Group member suggested to support a Cabinet Member was a request from the Alliance for himself to support Councillor Stephens on his budget preparation.
He added,
“There was a suggestion that other members of EI Group might be included in requests to assist other Cabinet Members, but nothing specific has arrived and no specific EI Group Members have been mentioned.
“EI Group and the Conservative Group had already held discussions, agreed to work cross-chamber to produce a budget together and started work on it. We discussed how we could respond positively to the request for help from the Alliance. As a result we offered to extend our cross-chamber budget work to review suggestions from the Alliance alongside others.
“We have made the offer twice over the past ten days but are yet to receive a reply from the Alliance.”
