Leader of the Isle of Wight Conservative Party, cllr Steve Hastings, has pledged to work 'constructively' with the Isle of Wight Council's new administration.
As promised last week, a shadow Cabinet is in the process of being formed and will be announced in due course, according to cllr Hastings.
He has promised to not oppose the new Alliance Group at County Hall, just "for the sake of it".
He said:
"It is common practice in many local authorities that the main opposition group forms a shadow team to scrutinise and challenge those in power.
“Whilst the appointment of my team will broadly align with this model, I will place a particular emphasis on ensuring that we collaboratively engage with Cabinet Members and officers in relation to the policy direction of the Isle of Wight Council.
“Our approach will be simple: we will look at each issue from a constructive perspective. There will be a presumption in favour of supporting the intended policy approach, by adding ideas and suggestions to hopefully enhance what the new administration is hoping to achieve. We will work constructively alongside the Cabinet; not oppose them for the sake of it.”
The Tories lost their grip on the council in last month's local elections, and failed to secure enough votes to retain control at a meeting last week.
The Conservatives did secure 18 seats at County Hall, however.
And Cllr Hastings, who took over as leader from Dave Stewart, vowed to use those seats to 'scrutinise and challenge'. He said:
"Many of our Conservative Group members are already working closely with neighbouring councillors from across the political spectrum, including at town / parish levels. We will continue to do so.
“I also recognise that the new administration will – in a number of policy areas – seek to take the Council in a different direction to the previous Conservative Team. That is, of course, their prerogative - and I would be the first to acknowledge that there are some issues which might benefit from the fresh perspective which the Alliance Group will bring.
"My shadow team will include a mix of re-elected and new councillors to reflect the post-election political landscape; bringing fresh input to complement the experiences of recent years."
Cllr Hastings will chair the Isle of Wight Council Scrutiny Committee. He says he wants to use the role to contribute to and inform their deliberations, not block Cabinet decisions.
He says call-in provisions will be used sparingly, when there are issues of public interest which remain unresolved.
Automated Gates Arrive On Wightlink’s FastCat Foot Passenger Route
Help Keep Isle Of Wight Streets Neat – Bring Your Bin In
Two Passengers Injured Following Bus Crash In Ryde
Late Night Reports Of Collision Spark Extensive Land, Sea And Air Search
Islanders Taking On London Marathon Today For Local Charities
Southern Vectis Announces Earth Day Discount Initiative
Four Men Arrested Following Rogue Trader Activities In East Cowes
Rugby Players Set To Scale Great Heights For Teddy
Drug Driving, Domestic Abuse And Stalking Among Arrests Made As Police Target Isle Of Wight Criminals
Work Begins On ‘Monumental’ Mural Project At Historic Columbine Building
More Acts Added To Isle Of Wight Festival Line-Up
St Mary’s Vaccination Hub Gets Ready For Spring Covid-19 Vaccinations
Twenty Isle Of Wight Pubs Under Threat As Stonegate Issues Profit Warning
Fundraiser Launched As Kezi's Kindness Founder Diagnosed With Incurable Cancer
Bon Voyage — White-Tailed Eagle Soars To France
Goddards Brewery Scoops Four Top Industry Awards At International Competition
Briddlesford Road Crash Results In Two Injured
Isle Of Wight MP Extolls Virtues Of Joint Emergency Service Officers For Isle Of Wight
Island Labour Announces Parliamentary Candidates As Quigley Vows To 'Take Fight' To Bob Seely
Can You Help Police To Identify Man Linked To Waitrose Theft?
