By Press Release
One million pounds promised to the Isle of Wight Council early last year, was finally paid in December after the IW Observer asked the government to explain where it was.
The money was announced by Michael Gove on February 7 last year in a statement about the Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS). He said it recognised: “The unique circumstances facing the Isle of Wight Council and its physical separation from the mainland.” However, the payment did not appear in the settlement voted on in the House of Commons two days later.
Carole Dennett, editor of the IW Observer, used to work for former MP Andrew Turner, and she noticed the omission when working on an article about the IW Council’s budget.
The IW Observer submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) question to the government on November 22. The original request was: “Please supply full details of the additional funding added to the Isle of Wight Council’s settlement together with any background documents which led to the funding being mentioned by the Secretary of State.”
The government had 20 working days to reply. Just in time, on December 20, they ludicrously asked what we meant by “full details” and “background documents”. It was clear officials were playing for time, as asking us to clarify the request re-started the 20-day time limit. We explained what full details and background documents meant!
The IW Observer was contacted again last Friday (Jan 20), when the government disclosed that the grant had been paid in December. There was no reason given for the delay or why the Island’s £1 million had not been included in the LGFS in February. The Isle of Wight Council confirmed that it had not been told in advance they would receive the money in December.
Carole said: “It appears that the government overlooked the promised £1 million and was only reminded about it by the IW Observer’s FOIA request. I learnt over the years that you really must keep tabs on the government over these things.”
Although the funds are now secured, the IW Observer’s antennae are still twitching over the issue, as the government has withheld some information, claiming it relates to “development of government policy”. We have appealed as we believe that the grant must have been paid in line with an existing policy – not one being developed.
Carole added: “I think there are probably more revelations to come. If it does turn out that the IW Observer’s FOIA question prompted the payment, that would be quite astonishing, and very concerning.”
Cllr Jonathan Bacon, speaking for the IW Council’s ruling Alliance administration said: “It looks very odd that £1 million was agreed in February but not signed off until December. If it was paid only because of the IW Observer’s questions I agree that is worrying.
“However, what is clear and also very worrying is that the Island is far from being properly funded and the net impact of this year’s overall settlement is we have received £1.2 million less than we did last year and many millions less than we should be receiving.”
The IW Observer will update our readers when more information is available.
