Reform UK now has 15 chair and vice-chair committee roles within the Isle of Wight Council, the most of any group.
Councillors David Llewellyn, James Whelan, Tony Barry, Frank Brown and Bill Nigh are among those who have been elected chairs of eight panels, including the children’s services, education, and skills and licensing committees.
The next largest group, Island First Network – comprising five former Alliance group members and new independent councillor Jules Hayward, has five chairs.
More than one role
Several councillors have been elected to more than one committee. Each role brings with it a special responsibility allowance.
Those with more than one role include:
Councillor Bill Nigh (Reform, Lake North) — three roles and Deputy Leader
- Vice: Policy, Finance and Resources
- Vice: Planning
- Chair: Appeals
Councillor David Llewellyn (Reform, Shanklin South) — Two roles
- Chair: Policy, Finance and Resources
- Chair: Pension Fund
Councillor James Whelan (Reform, Central Rural) — Two roles
- Chair: Licensing
- Chair: Adult Social Care, Public Health and Housing Needs
Councillor Julie Jones-Evans (Island First Network, Newport Central) — Two roles
- Chair: Harbour
- Chair: Economy, Regeneration, Transport and Infrastructure
Councillor Tony Barry (Reform, Newchurch, Havenstreet and Ashey) — Two roles
- Chair: Investigating and Disciplinary
- Vice: Appeals
Councillor Reuben Loake (Reform, Ryde North West) — Two roles
- Vice: Economy, Regeneration, Transport and Infrastructure
- Vice: Appointments and Employment
Councillor Michael Lilley (Lib Dem, Ryde Appley and Elmfield) — Two roles
- Vice: Investigating and Disciplinary
- Vice: Adult Social Care, Public Health and Housing Needs
Councillor Jonathan Bacon (Independent, Brading and St Helens) — Two roles and Council Leader
- Chair: Appointments and Employment
- Vice: Licensing
The roles
The roles on the various committees, voted on at Wednesday’s full council meeting, are as follows:
Committee
Adult Social Care, Public Health and Housing NeedsChair
James Whelan (Reform, Central Rural)Vice-chair
Michael Lilley (Lib Dem, Ryde Appley and Elmfield)Appointments and Employment Jonathan Bacon (Independent, Brading and St Helens) Reuben Loake (Reform, Ryde North West) Appeals Bill Nigh (Reform, Lake North) Tony Barry (Reform, Newchurch, Havenstreet and Ashey) Audit and Governance Frank Brown (Reform, Newport West) Mark Rochell (Lib Dem, Bembridge) Children’s Services, Education and Skills Ros Freeman (Reform, Lake South) Andrew Garratt (Lib Dem, Parkhurst and Hunnyhill) Economy, Regeneration, Transport and Infrastructure Julie Jones-Evans (Island First Network, Newport Central) Reuben Loake (Reform, Ryde North West) Environment and Community Protection Karen Lucioni (Island First Network, Ryde Monktonmead) Richard Quinn (Reform, Mountjoy and Shide) Harbour Julie Jones-Evans (Island First Network, Newport Central) Stephen Reynolds (Reform, Shanklin Central) Investigating and Disciplinary Tony Barry (Reform, Newchurch, Havenstreet and Ashey) Michael Lilley (Lib Dem, Ryde Appley and Elmfield) Licensing James Whelan (Reform, Central Rural) Jonathan Bacon (Independent, Brading and St Helens) Pension Fund David Llewellyn (Reform, Shanklin South) Nick Stuart (Lib Dem, Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet) Planning Paul Fuller (Island First Network, Cowes West and Gurnard) Bill Nigh (Reform, Lake North) Policy, Finance and Resources David Llewellyn (Reform, Shanklin South) Bill Nigh (Reform, Lake North) Standards Lora Peacey-Wilcox (Island First Network, Cowes Medina) Vix Lowthion (Green, Carisbrooke and Gunville)
Article edit
3.15pm 28th May 2026 – Information placed into table for ease of reading
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
