By Mal Butler
The councillor, who represents the area Wroxall, Lowtherville & Bonchurch, Rodney Downer, announced on Monday he was standing down, saying: “I want more family time.”
Independent Cllr Rodney, 74, has served on the IW Council for 16 years, with 12 years spent representing Godshill and Wroxall, before changing wards when the Boundary Commission made adjustments in 2020. He has always been determinedly ‘non-political’ and has won friends and admirers across the chamber.
He successfully campaigned to keep Wroxall Primary School open and to get Leeson Road reopened following a landslide in 2023.
But Rodney, who lives in Wroxall, said: “I really didn’t want to give it another year; I have had enough stress in my life. I’ve given 16 years and, although there were council by-elections recently, I wanted to take a bit more time and take stock of what I was going to do.
“I have never classed myself as a councillor, I’m just an ordinary person trying to help out others. I always felt that I was here to serve and it has been very humbling.”
A by-election will be held to fill the vacancy on the Isle of Wight Council. If enough local voters wish to call an election, it could potentially take place on July 10, subject to the date of receipt of the request and polling station availability.
Rufus Pickles - Local Democracy Reporter 
Carole Dennett