In lieu of our inability to attend the first full council meeting last night (due to birthday celebrations), Cllr Geoff Lumley has kindly forwarded us his report of the evening.
Rather than us pick out particular items of interest (there are many), we thought it best to reproduce Geoff’s words as posted to his own blog. Ed
Just back from the first Full meeting of the new IW Council, leaving the rest to have a drink with the ‘new’ Chairman. A Chairman who is the same as before, Arthur Taylor (Con) – who only I voted against as no one satisfactorily explained to me why the one-year only rule was being ignored. Nothing personal !
So time for a quick report…………
Other people elected on the night were Ian Stephens (Ind) as Vice Chair of the Council (with my support); David Pugh as Leader FOR 4 YEARS (!) – with only me against; Overview & Scrutiny Chair – Vanessa Churchman(Ind), with a Tory-controlled committee; Planning Chair – Ivan Bulwer (Con); Audit Chair – Roger Mazillius (Con); 4 x Scrutiny Panel Chairs (all Tory-controlled) – George Cameron (Con), Childrens Services; David Whittaker (Con) – Adult Care, Housing & Health; Ian Ward (Con) – Economy, Environment & Transport; and Margaret Webster (Con) – Fire & Community Safety. The Tories offered the Adult Care one to the opposition, but no one from the independent or Liberal group was interested. I wouldn’t touch these with a bargepole……I’ve learnt my lesson about this leadership
The Leader announced his new Cabinet. Basically the 5 re-elected ones from the last one, with some portfolio changes, and 2 new ones – Peter Bingham (Resources) and Edward Giles (Environment & Transport). And the Leader is going to lead on Schools Reorganisation………..
My motion on this Council adopting a Member’s Allowance scheme that will be recommended by an Independent Remuneration Panel was accepted by the leadership in its entirety, eventually – thanks to Cllr George Brown (Con, Deputy Leader) !!!!!!!! The 5 LibDems were the only ones against, as they prefer to keep allowances as a Member’s decision.
My motion on ending Prayers predictably went down with 33 against and 5 in favour. I won’t name the other 4 as is my usual practice on votes as this is a personal matter, but thanks to them all.
Bolding of words is Geoff’s own. You can read more from him over at his blog
