‘Almost a kick in the guts’ — the nation’s business and energy chief has been slammed for visiting the Island but not speaking to the Isle of Wight Council.
As reported by Isle of Wight Radio, Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Government’s Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, visited renewable energy company, Vestas at its factory on the outskirts of Newport yesterday (Thursday).
However, no attempt was made by the minister or his aides to meet with the council — despite talks at the recent Islands Forum event, which took place earlier this month in Orkney, where energy issues were discussed.
Speaking at the council’s cabinet meeting last night, Cllr Jonathan Bacon, the cabinet member for environment, said it was very disappointing Mr Rees-Mogg had chosen not to contact them.
He said he hoped the visit was not just a partisan, meaningless photo opportunity as the Island has very serious issues with its energy infrastructure which had been discussed in the council in recent weeks.
Cllr Bacon thought Mr Rees-Mogg would have seen fit to acknowledge and address them, but it appears he had chosen not to.
Council Leader, Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox said it was almost a 'kick in the guts' as she spoke to Mr Rees-Mogg’s assistants at the Island’s Forum event and gave them all the information they would need.
Cllr Bacon said:
“We all appreciate the government is having a few difficulties but the fact we as a council had no contact means I really have to question whether they are taking seriously the issues of renewable energy. It is disappointing in the extreme.”
He hoped Mr Rees-Moggs would be able to arrange his diary to speak to the council in the future.
At the Island's Forum event, Cllr Peacey-Wilcox, secured agreement from the Ofgem Chief Executive, Jonathan Brearley, that he would visit and discuss the Island’s issues.
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