Leader of the Isle of Wight council, Jonathan Bacon, was re-elected to the post again at last night’s Annual Council Meeting.
Cllr Geoff Lumley(Lab) nominated Group leader of the Conservative councillors, Dave Stewart for the post, but he declined to accept the nomination.
Instead 20 councillors voted for Cllr Bacon, one voted against and 18 abstained.
Chairman also remains
Cllr Charles Chapman, the current Chairman of the council was also voted back into the position.
In recent times, past practice (apart from when Ian Ward remained in the post for two consecutive years) has been for the Chairman to hold the post for one year, and the vice chair, in this case, Cllr Lora Peacey Wilcox, to be elevated to the Chairman’s position.
However, at last night’s meeting, Cllr Peacey Wilcox received only 19 votes against 20 for Cllr Chapman.
Committee chairmen
The following councillors were voted to the position of chairman of the various committees.
Scrutiny Committee: Councillor Dave Stewart
Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Sub committee: Councillor Richard Priest
Children’s Committee: Councillor Conrad Gauntlett
Environment and Transport Select Committee: Councillor Jon Gilbey
Economy and Tourism Select Committee: Councillor Wayne Whittle
Audit Committee: Councillor Stuart Hutchinson
Planning Committee: Councillor Bob Blezzard
Licensing Committee: Councillor Julie Jones-Evans
Appeals Committee: Councillor Colin Richards
Employment Committee: Councillor Geoff Lumley
Isle of Wight Pension Fund Committee: Councillor Ivor Warlow
Image: © Simon Haytack
