The Isle of Wight Council has come under fire for “secrecy and exclusion” over a new improvement board to provide oversight and expert advice.
Claims of secrecy
Councillor Chris Jarman, who leads County Hall’s All for Islanders group, broke ranks after the authority issued a press release labelling the panel a ‘critical friend’, delivering independent support and scrutiny.
Councillor Jarman claimed board meetings are attended by a “very few pre-selected Isle of Wight councillors only” and said there was no vote of elected representatives to appoint the board membership.
He said,
“None of our All for Islanders group, or the remaining majority of elected councillors, are permitted to attend their meetings.
“Nor are we permitted to see their meeting agendas, the papers submitted to them, or their minutes. Nor are we permitted to submit material to them. Nor are we able to submit questions to their meetings.”
The Totland and Colwell representative added that Islanders can “draw their own conclusions” over such “secrecy and exclusion of publicly elected representatives”.
Council defends the board’s role
County Hall said the board was created by the council on a voluntary basis as part of its commitment to continuous improvement and transformation.
The authority said the panel’s role is to review progress against improvement plans, offer constructive challenge where needed, as well as sharing expertise and best practice from other organisations.
It said the board helps ensure the council remains focused on delivering sustainable improvements across its services.
Who is on the board?
The press release emphasised the group does not make decisions on behalf of County Hall and said it is made up of experienced individuals with backgrounds in local government, public services and organisational improvement.
It did not provide a list of board members. The Local Democracy Reporting Service has asked the council who is on the panel.
Leader says council making ‘good progress’
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, the authority’s independent leader, said,
“The Voluntary Improvement Board provides us with valuable support, expertise and independent challenge, helping us stay focused on our improvement journey and our ambition to deliver better services for Island residents.
“The council is making good progress, but we know there’s always more we can do. The board is helping us to achieve this.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
