We’ve managed to speak to William Wyatt-Millington about his resignation today.
When we asked him why he decided to resign his seat, he said, “It’s actually work related. I work for a small company in Newport as a professional electronics engineer. The amount of work we are doing has gone up. We were bought out by a German company last year and the amount of work that we getting from there has gone up as well.
“I got to the position where I felt that I couldn’t serve the residents of Chale, Niton and Whitwell in a manner that I’d like to do so … and that is the reason. I have no axe to grind with the party I’m a member of … it’s literally that I cannot do the two roles to the best level that I would like to.
Not able to spend enough time on role
“I feel that I’m letting down the residents of the ward by not being able to spend the amount of time that I’d like to on the sort of issues in that area.”
“I would like to make it absolutely clear that it’s not work that has asked me to stand down, it’s a decision that I’ve taken myself. They have supported me in the role, and I think they would continue to support me in the role … it’s a personal decision.
“It’s because I’m the sort of person I am. I am conscientious. I like to do things well. My own feeling was that I was not able to continue in the role to a level that would provide a good service to the residents of the community.”
On the cards for sometime
When we asked if the decision was made this morning, he replied, “The decision has been in the back of my mind for 3 or 4 months. I’ve really thought it through. Really think about it – really go through all of the options. regretfully – and it is a very sad day for me – I have had to take the decision that I have taken.”
We mentioned to him Cllr Geoff Lumley’s comment – that “He’s always looked like a man tortured by it [the things that he had to vote for]” – which we went on to explain that we thought Geoff meant it in a kind way, that perhaps come of the decisions that he’d had to make didn’t sit that comfortably with William.
Happy with decisions made whilst on council
William Wyatt-Millington reply was, “I’ve made my view known to a number of people. I’ve never been uncomfortable with any of the decisions that have been made whilst I’ve been on the council.
“I made my point last night. My prime concern is care within the Island. I think the money can be spent far more effectively to provide the level of service required within the Island.
We said that recently in council meetings, we felt that we could have been spending our time better. After chuckling William Wyatt-Millington said, “My position is what it is. It really is not about the cuts at all or the review of spending within the council. It purely is a work issue.”
