Re-elected council leader motivated by devolution

A council leader who survived a narrow re-election has said he is motivated to "finish the job" he started on devolution.

Councillor Phil Jordan stays in charge of Isle of Wight Council following a tied vote on Wednesday.

Councillor Ed Blake, leader of the Conservative group of councillors, received the same amount of support but lost out on a casting vote.

East Cowes Councillor Karl Love was ousted as chair of the council after being replaced by Binstead and Fishbourne's councillor Ian Dore.

Mr Jordan, the head of County Hall's Alliance group, has been a keen supporter of devolution and local government reorganisation.

The changes will transfer powers and funding away from central government and allow decisions to be made locally.

Portsmouth and Southampton city councils, along with Hampshire County Council and the Isle of Wight, voted to accept the government's offer to create a combined mayoral authority earlier this year.

Mr Jordan said it was "vital" to maintain "consistency and continuity in our relationships and establish the best deal for our island in our negotiations with government".

He continued: "This is a pivotal moment for our Island, and we have less than a year to get the best outcomes, the best funding, the best transfer of powers and the key asks I have already made, such as oversight of the ferries and additional funding for the island in a fair funding settlement.

"It is not the moment for someone to be learning on the job or having doubts about the past two years of intense work.

"Our island comes first, before personal wishes or aspirations and I am confident, and best placed, that I can deliver the best outcome for the Isle of Wight."

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