This in from Andrew Turner’s office, in their own words. Ed
During the debate on Monday, Andrew Turner, asked for the problems facing the Island due to its unique circumstances to be considered by the Government.
Following a recent meeting with the Minister for Local Government, Marcus Jones MP, he highlighted some of the challenges facing the Island’s council.
During the debate Mr Turner said:
“We want the Government to look at the problems facing the Isle of Wight in the round. When necessary, unique answers to our unique problems should be considered. The challenges faced by the Isle of Wight, in common with other island communities, include difficult employment conditions with much seasonal work.
“The high cost of cross-Solent transport handicaps economic growth, limits access to mainland opportunities and affects tourism, which is a key plank of our local economy. Visitors to the Isle of Wight numbered 1 million last year alone. We also have a high proportion of elderly residents with very high costs of care.
“Education standards are low, and, although a ministerial directive to bring in support from Hampshire has helped, there is still a long way to go. Isle of Wight residents deserve access to high-quality services every bit as much as people on the mainland.”
Speaking after the debate he said:
“All councils are facing a difficult time, but the Island has particular challenges. Recently the Leader of the Council asked me to facilitate a meeting with a Local Government Minister to set out the problems the Council has to deal with. I was happy to do so. The Minister understood the issues and asked the Council to put forward some of their suggestions as formal responses to the current consultation on the draft Local Government Finance Settlement. Officers are putting that document together and I have made it clear I will support their proposals.
“I asked during the debate what would happen should any Council be unable to meet its statutory duties, but so far have had no answers. I am writing to the Minister to ask him to specifically ask him to answer my questions – I know the Isle of Wight is not the only Council who are looking for such answers.”
