Several key decisions were taken by County Hall’s executive yesterday evening, looking at issues from double yellow lines to vaping.
Though the government’s devolution plans were centre stage at the meeting, council leader, Phil Jordan, and six other cabinet members approved additional agenda items covering issues including an Island anti-poverty strategy, free bus travel, speed limits, public health, electric vehicle charging points and school funding arrangements.
The cabinet decided not to approve new double yellow lines on Newbridge’s Main Road.
Councillor Jordan said,
“We’ve had representations, particularly from the town and parish council, that the intention to impose double yellow lines under a Traffic Regulation Order at Shalfleet isn’t required, is not the best solution and that we should not approve it.
“It’s not what the community wants or needs.”
Poverty Reduction Strategy
Speaking in favour of the approved Isle of Wight Poverty Reduction Strategy 2024 – 2029, cabinet member for adult social care and public health Debbie Andre said,
“We do recognise that there are many residents on our Island that are experiencing levels of poverty that perhaps we have not seen before.
“We resolved as an administration that we would do something about this.”
The strategy contains three priorities: targeting support for Island residents experiencing poverty now, support Island residents to help prevent them falling into poverty and ensure long term support is planned and delivered in partnership.
‘Let’s Make Smoking History’
A tobacco control report from director of public health Simon Bryant, ‘Let’s Make Smoking History’, and Councillor Andre’s report on the future leadership and management of the council’s public health functions, including a recommendation to directly employ a director of public health and public health team, were passed unanimously.
Mr Bryant said,
“The use of tobacco is causing ill health. But still we haven’t got our rates as low as we’d like them for improving the health of the population.
“In the report you’ll see I’ve also focused on vaping – it’s an important issue.”
Speed Limit Review
In addition, the cabinet voted to approve continued free bus travel policies for vulnerable, disabled and older Island residents as well as their travelling companions and three Speed Limit Review (SLR) proposals.
The proposals are for the approval of Island Roads’ SLR report, a resulting three to five years works programme and a review of the council’s speed limits policy in line with the Department for Transport’s National Speed Limit.
A cabinet report on the Speed Limit Review said,
“Reducing vehicle speeds significantly reduces the number and severity of collisions.
“The overall aim is to establish speed limits and associated infrastructure that are appropriate for the Island and for all road users.”
Other decisions
Cabinet members also voted to progress with the procurement of a £1,625,000 electric vehicle charging point contract and a school funding formula and grant budget.
Councillor Andre said in reference to the contract,
“I think it will be of benefit not only to Island residents, but I think it will make us more attractive as an Island for people coming over.”
School funding formula
A cabinet report setting out the school funding formula and grant budget was presented to the meeting by Councillor Jonathan Bacon.
It said,
“This report sets out arrangements for the Isle of Wight pre-16 mainstream school revenue funding formula for the 2025/26 financial year, and the setting of the wider Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for approval.
“The formula has been proposed following principles agreed by the Schools Forum during 2024/25 financial year, following consultation with individual schools, and replicates the national funding formula values used to allocate funding to the local authority.
“Schools funding is provided through the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), which is made up of four funding blocks: schools, early years, high needs, and central school services, with restrictions on the use of funding allocated to each block.”
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
