Staff shortages and the loss of an Isle of Wight town council’s clerk means fewer meetings will take place.
Yesterday (Monday), Ventnor Town council agreed a six-month trial to hold full council meetings every two months, instead of monthly, after it was unable to to replace its clerk, David Bartlett.
Mr Barlett has departed after 13 years in his role.
VTC down a couple of roles
Ventnor mayor, Councillor Steve Cooper, said acting clerk, Alison Killick, had been doing a sterling job but said, effectively, the council is down a couple of roles.
He said,
“The rationale is it will make us leaner, more focused and take pressure off our acting clerk at this challenging time.”
Councillor Cooper added only four meetings a year are actually required by law.
Monthly committees and working groups
Council committees and working groups — including those for planning; sustainability and biodiversity; and assets and services — will continue to be held monthly.
Other Island councils, including Sandown and Ryde’s town councils, and the Isle of Wight’s full council, already meet every two months.
Trial for six months
The trial will run until February — with meetings held in October, December and February.
After that, a final decision will be made, to see if councillors would prefer to make it permanent.
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
