"An Exciting Time In Local Government" — Newport And Carisbrooke Community Council Elects New Chair

It is an “incredible honour” to be elected at “such an exciting time in local government”, the new chair of Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council has said.

Taking over from Cllr Martin Oliver at NCCC’s annual meeting, Cllr Vix Lowthion pointed to plans to make the council “more visible” in the community with its “large annual budget” supporting a host of organisations.

Cllr Lowthion is also a teacher of History, Classics and Geology and last summer stood as the Green Party’s General Election candidate in Isle of Wight East, coming third with 6,313 votes.

Before joining NCCC as the representative for Newport Central, where she lives with her family, Cllr Lowthion was a parish councillor in the West Wight.

She said:

“It’s an incredible honour to take over the reins at such an exciting time in local government, and to represent the 25,500 residents of Newport and Carisbrooke in our town and across the Island.

“Our new council is young, diverse and determined to take every opportunity to improve the lives of the residents of our county town – and beyond. The vast majority of councillors are working age, some with young families and busy jobs in Newport.

“As a public body with a large annual budget which supports many organisations and puts on events it is clear that we still are not that visible in the minds of the wider public.

“I hope that our community council can raise our profile by making the most of our existing assets – including our hub right in the heart of the town at 64 High Street.”