By Isle of Wight Observer
The Conservative and Empowering Islanders (EI) groups are planning a ‘take over’ of the Isle of Wight Council according to council insiders.
With an Extraordinary General Meeting set for Wednesday, to decide on pivotal changes to its governance structure, the council is at a crossroads. The meeting will decide whether to move from a leader and cabinet system to a committee-based approach.
Proponents of the change argue that a committee system is more democratic, while others question why some are pushing for the change to take place before full plans are in place. If the change is approved, a further vote will decide whether it takes place this year on May 15, or at next year’s AGM.
Under the proposed structure, the council would see five new ‘Service Committees’, each chaired by members elected directly by the full council. Currently, the Tories and EI groups hold a combined total of 20 of the 39 council votes. Reports say if the decision is to go ahead this year the two groups are planning to work in alliance to take all five committee chairmanships, and secure the council leader, deputy leader, chairman and vice-chairman roles.
The review into the governance change has already cost more than £36,000, not counting considerable staff time devoted to the issue. Papers for Wednesday’s meeting makes clear that this is just the first stage of “a larger piece of work to review the Constitution as a whole.”
When approached on Thursday, neither Tory leader, Cllr Clare Mosdell, nor Cllr Jarman, leader of the EI group, denied the takeover plans.
Mal Butler