Isle of Wight Green Party councillors share their opinion on how the LGR vote went at the Full Council meeting on Wednesday night. Ed
The Isle of Wight Green Party councillors are “angry and disappointed” at the decision by the Conservative and Empowering Islanders groups at Full Council on Wednesday night to reject the Hampshire Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposal which would have protected the Island’s status as an independent unitary authority.
Lever: The actions of 19 councillors has left the future of Isle of Wight decision making in a state of limbo
Councillor Joe Lever, Carisbrooke and Gunville, says,
“In two separate instances during the meeting, the council – through Tory and the (ironically named) Empowering Islander councillors – in effect forwent our general powers of competence and handed our various decision making powers back to central government.
“The first – and perhaps most immediately problematic and devastating – was regarding local government restructure. As some councillors attempted to needlessly overcomplicate matters, they seemingly tied themselves in knots. A vote to submit a business case to government detailing our preference to remain as a unitary Island authority was shockingly voted down.
“The Isle of Wight council – thanks to those councillors – has therefore submitted no business case whatsoever and left the future of Isle of Wight decision making in a state of limbo.”
Critchison: It was irresponsible and unacceptable of them to play with the future of the Island in this way
Councillor Claire Critchison, Chale, Niton and Shorwell, also says,
“I am unbelievably angry and disappointed at the actions of those councillors who voted against the proposals for the Isle of Wight to stay as a separate unitary authority.
“It was clear from consulting the public that this was the preferred option, but Conservative, Empowering Islanders and other councillors voted to put the Island in jeopardy of being amalgamated with a mainland authority against the will of the Isle of Wight people.
“It was irresponsible and unacceptable of them to play with the future of the Island in this way.”
Lever: What happened was dysfunctional, bordering on incompetent
Joe Lever added,
“Is this in the best interest of the Island? Is this empowering Islanders? We think not. What happened was dysfunctional, bordering on incompetent.
“If some councillors don’t want the ability to make decisions I’m sure that Islanders will welcome their resignations and to make way for councillors that do.”
You can watch the debate from Wednesday night’s meeting below.
