A message from Gary Peace

The Isle of Wight councillor for Ventnor and St Lawrence resigned from the council. Here is his resignation statement in full.

After much deliberation, I have decided to step down as the county councillor for Ventnor & St Lawrence. This decision has been a really difficult one for me to make, and is being made for personal reasons. It has been a privilege to represent the residents of Ventnor and St Lawrence since being elected in 2017.

I am immensely proud to have been able to support residents during some of the most troubling times of their lives, and also help others deal with other complex issues, whether it be planning, flooding or for other reasons.  Some of the more public things I’m proud to have achieved are – supporting businesses Island-wide and residents locally in Ventnor during the pandemic to ensure they could access the funding and the services they needed; preventing a vast (and what would be ongoing) waste of money being spent on rebuilding Undercliff Drive; and, most recently, supporting residents in the fight against the removal of parking spaces in Ventnor.

Through personal contacts, I brought the LeBlanq cycle and food event to the Island and to Ventnor, specifically, showcasing the Island, local businesses, hotels and chefs. LeBlanq is now an established international cycling and food event.

As a councillor, I have taken on several roles, working both in cabinet and outside. Working with others across the chamber on various committees and with the current administration to lend my expertise to support the Digital Strategy Transformation Board.

In the circumstances, it is only fair to the Ventnor & St Lawrence residents that someone else now has that opportunity to serve as the elected local representative for the ward. And I thank all those who have supported me in the last six years, and voted for me in the previous two elections.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude and best wishes to the hard-working and dedicated officers and staff at the Isle of Wight Council, who do so much for the community in the most challenging times. They deserve all the respect and praise possible as they manage the business of the council whilst also trying to effect the political wishes of elected members.

Good luck!

Gary