News and views

In early August, I went to a public information event about Exxon Mobil’s plan for a pipeline across the Island to carry waste carbon dioxide (CO2) from its Fawley oil refinery.

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Isle of Wight Council’s draft planning strategy – its proposed Local Plan – is now out for statutory public consultation till midnight on Monday, 19 August 2024.

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I was pleased to see that the deep potholes in the road leading to Parkhurst Forest car park have been repaired, having raised this with Forestry England recently. Before and after pictures below…

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A massive 64 gains made in the general election mean the Liberal Democrats now have our largest number of MPs for over a century. The Lib Dems are also now the third largest party in the House of Commons with 72 MPs, just 49 seats behind the Conservatives. Although we didn’t win on the Isle of Wight, over 6,000 Islanders backed the Lib Dems. If you backed us, thank you for your support. We are encouraging supporters to join the party and help us use this foundation for future success – starting with the local elections in May 2025.

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On 15 May 2024, Isle of Wight council held its Annual General Meeting. This is when councillors choose who will be chair and vice-chair of the council, and elects chairs of its existing committees. Cllr Karl Love is the new chair, with Cllr Vanessa Churchman as vice-chair. I was re-elected as chair of the Audit & Governance committee. This committee has an important role in assessing how the council is delivering value for money for residents, that it takes decisions appropriately (its governance), and that risks to the council are understood and have measures in place to minimise their likelihood and impact.

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