How much time do Isle of Wight councillors actually spend on the Isle of Wight?
Last week, Cllr Julia Baker-Smith, member for Whippingham and Osborne, was criticised for splitting her time between Manchester and the Isle of Wight.
In the last year, Cllr Baker-Smith has missed two full council meetings and one meeting of the appeals sub committee.
Breakdown of time spent off Island
All Isle of Wight councillors were asked how much time they spend on the Isle of Wight — if it varies from month to month, they were asked to give a breakdown of time spent off the Island in October and November last year, or if they spend a large period of timing living abroad (see below for how your councillor replied).
Out of 40 councillors, 17 did not reply to requests for comment.
Refused to answer
Two refused to answer — Cllr Clare Mosdell, a director of an electrical company, and Cllr Chris Whitehouse, who runs a consultancy firm in London.
The council’s monitoring officer, Helen Miles, also told members the information was ‘over and above what is already available about you’.
In an e-mail to all councillors, Ms Miles said:
“Whilst it is of course entirely a matter for each of you to decide how to respond, I would advise that you may well decide the information sought is over and above that which is already available about you.
“Your register of interests, which is available on the Website sets out your address on the Island, and we publish on the Website your attendance at meetings.”
No reply from Leader
Leader of the council, Cllr Dave Stewart, did not reply.
However, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Resources, Cllr Stuart Hutchinson — who has missed no meetings in the last year — said:
“Time spent off Island is less relevant than the amount of hours put in and regular attendance at the committees one is scheduled for.
“Because of e-mail and Skype, it is perfectly possible to do a good job as councillor without being physically present for large chunks of time.”
Highest non-attendance records
In 2018, the councillor with the highest non-attendance record at meetings was Cllr Gary Peace, who missed 54 per cent of required meetings (six out of 11).
Cllr Peace said:
“I stepped away from my cabinet role due to work and family commitments, and because I was not able to give it my full attention.”
Cllr Peace is a security consultant, and runs a hair salon in Ventnor with his wife.
Cllr John Kilpatrick and Cllr Karl Love had the second worst attendance records, having missed 25 per cent of required meetings.
What your councillor said
See what your councillor had to say — and how many meetings they missed in 2018 — below:
Click on the image to see larger version, step through by clicking on the arrows.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may be been made by OnTheWight. Ed
