Future Independence Of Isle Of Wight Council NOT Ruled Out In Government Memo

The government has not ruled out the Isle of Wight Council remaining a unitary authority in a new memo to local authority leaders.

Whitehall has welcomed ‘additional thinking’ on the Isle of Wight’s ‘exceptional circumstances’ in feedback on a Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) plan.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government responded to a March 21 Interim LGR Plan submitted by Hampshire and Solent councils, prepared after Local Government Minister Jim McMahon invited the authorities to prepare LGR proposals on February 5.

In December last year, the government unveiled sweeping plans to shake up local government across England.

They include two distinct but related policy packages: moving powers and funding from Whitehall to England’s regions by creating Strategic Authorities with elected Mayors and ending the two-tier system of county and district local councils with new unitary authorities covering populations of at least 500,000.

The Hampshire and Solent councils’ Interim Plan made the case for the Isle of Wight Council remaining a separate unitary authority due to its ‘exceptional circumstances’.

This is despite the Island’s population being forecast to be 148,000 by 2028 – well under the 500,000 figure.

The plan said:

“As the physical boundary to the Island remains, the opportunities to reduce fixed costs and make procurement efficiencies and estate rationalisations are limited.

“No model of local government reorganisation will address challenges regarding the tax base and financial sustainability of the Island, whilst balancing and adding further challenge to the delivery of services from a geographical and financial perspective.

“Furthermore, Isle of Wight residents possess a distinct cultural identity which does not necessarily align with mainland residents.”

The government’s feedback said:

“We welcome the additional thinking conducted regarding the Isle of Wight.

"If pursuing this option, it would be helpful to build on the existing rationale and provide a full assessment against each criterion in your final proposal(s).”

Six guidance criteria for unitary local government proposals were attached to Mr McMahon’s February letter.

Responding to Whitehall’s feedback, an Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said:

“We acknowledge the feedback provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the interim Local Government Reorganisation Plan.

"We welcome the recognition of the Isle of Wight’s unique circumstances and the encouragement to further develop the rationale for the Island within any future proposals.

“We remain committed to constructive dialogue with the local authorities across Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth and government to ensure the best outcomes for our residents.”

The deadline for final LGR proposals is September 26, the government has said.