Council leaders have issued a statement today (Tuesday) in response to an independent report describing the Isle of Wight Council as “dysfunctional” and in urgent need of changes.
The report warns that unless Isle of Wight Council rapidly improves behaviour, relationships and decision-making, it faces a real risk of government intervention and the loss of local control.
Read more about the Penn Report
Councillor Phil Jordan, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council and Leader of the Alliance Group of Councillors, Ed Blake, Leader of the Conservative Group of Councillors and Andrew Garratt Deputy Leader of the Isle of Wight Council and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group issued the following joint statement:
“The report published today, written by independent consultant Richard Penn, describes the Isle of Wight Council as “dysfunctional” and in urgent need of changes. The report highlights a series of issues, including a culture of disrespect, hostility, and deflection that has taken hold among a small but vocal number of councillors whose actions have helped to erode confidence.
“This has distracted from the essential work of running the local services the council must deliver as well as damaging the authority’s reputation, both locally and further afield. The report also identifies faults with the officer system, as well as weaknesses in relationships between councillors and officers. It calls for stronger leadership, mutual respect, and a renewed focus on collaboration and accountability.
“The Council is held in low esteem by many and a report like this does nothing to reverse such views.
“Yet the Council is an important element of the Island and responsible for many key functions (education, waste, care etc) so a verdict that it is “dysfunctional” is of serious concern and clearly indicates that action to change is both necessary and urgent.
“We need to be trusted and supported by the community. We are pragmatic and know this will never be the view of all, but we must deal with anything that clearly undermines the ability to hold such a view. There must be no attempt by anyone to deflect blame elsewhere. All those who are part of County Hall, whether councillor or officer, must take heed of what is an incredibly powerful, and sobering message.
“As Group Leaders, we accept the report and will be supporting the recommendations that are contained therein. We call on the other groups and Councillors in County Hall to make the same commitment.
“We are glad that the report has been produced and that the issues it addresses are recognised and highlighted. We are glad to see that concerns many of us have had for some time, have been clearly identified. We do not seek to provide excuses for the findings or to pass the buck for those issues that are directed at us as members. Those that may contest the findings of the report, or who seek to sidestep it, would be identifying themselves as part of the problem. We must accept the existence of the problems, or they will never be solved; It is abundantly clear, there are problems.
“It is imperative that we do this as the risks of failing to do so are crystal clear. We have already received a ‘warning letter’ from Government, expressing concern about member behaviour. The report makes it clear that continued failures on our part, could lead to explicit Government intervention. That must be of even greater concern when Local Government Reorganisation is a live issue. Failure to deal with the issues in Mr Penn’s report, will put the very existence of the Council at risk.
“Together, as the leaders of the largest groups in the Council, we will work to ensure that the Council operates properly. Only then can it do the job it is there for, which is to serve the residents, businesses and the community of the Island. Where problems undermine the desire or ability to do that, they must be dealt with, whether those issues are behavioural or organisational.
“To address this, a key recommendation in the report is the creation of a Standards Committee which we wholeheartedly support. This is the moment at which we must ‘reset’ the Council. Accepting the recommendations in Mr Penn’s report is a first step in a long road to addressing how we operate. Failure to do so, could well be a step on what currently seems a short path to the loss of Island-based democracy.”
