As far back as 2018, Councillor Michael Lilley, the LibDem Isle of Wight councillor for Ryde Appley and Elmfield, has been calling for an “Act of Parliament that recognises the Isle of Wight as an Island and has power over its own destination”.
Which is why he’ll be supporting a motion at today’s (Wednesday) full council meeting being tabled by Councillor Nick Stuart (LibDem) which argues that a legislative solution would ensure that the Isle of Wight secures equitable treatment that is long-lasting.
Deficit likely to be £30m per annum
A University of Portsmouth Report in 2016 (see below), commissioned by the then-administration of the Island Independents, identified the Isle of Wight financially was £6.4m in deficit before a financial year begins compared to mainland counterparts.
Councillor Lilley says that six years later, that figure is more likely to be £30m each year and that despite ongoing discussions with Government about an Island Deal, nothing has yet born fruit apart from the odd £1m here and there.
Lilley: It would be good to get the whole Council’s support
The LibDem councillor says,
“Fares across the Solent have rocketed, and even with 50 per cent off, those travelling for NHS treatment have to pay a minimum of £32 one-way for travelling by car, as they are not well-enough to travel as foot-passenger.
“Continually, Island residents have planning decisions based around legislation written for mainland England which does not translate into the reality of being an Island.
“The costs of our children’s services is significantly higher on the Island than those of a local authority on the mainland due to the costs of crossing the Solent.
“I have always argued that only legislation gets real and long-lasting change.
“The IW Liberal Democratic Party have now come fully into support of the getting either a private member’s Bill or private Act through parliament and tonight’s debate and vote is to get the current Alliance administration to officially get IW Council fully on board. It would be good to get the whole Council’s support.”
See Councillor Lilley’s website for more detail.
The Isle of Wight Full Council meeting starts at 6pm tonight (Wednesday) and can be watched live via the agenda.
