Isle of Wight Council
| Isle of Wight Council | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | |
| Type | Unitary Authority |
| Leadership | |
| Leader | David Pugh |
| Chairman | Arthur Taylor |
| Members | 40 |
| Political groups | Conservative Party Independents Liberal Democrats Labour Party |
| Elections | |
| Voting system | First past the post |
| Last election | 4 June 2009 |
| Meeting place | |
 |
|
| County Hall, Newport | |
| Website | |
| iwight.gov.uk | |
The Isle of Wight Council is a local council. It is a unitary authority covering the Isle of Wight, South East England. It is currently made up of 40 seats, with the Conservatives as ruling party with 24 councillors at the latest local election in June 2009.
Contents |
[edit] History
The council was formed on 1 April 1995, as a continuation of the old Isle of Wight County Council, which became a unitary authority that day with the taking on of the function of Medina and South Wight Borough Councils.[1]
Until the 2009 structural changes to local government in England, the Isle of Wight Council was unique amongst unitary authorities as a former county council assumed the duties of two non-metropolitan district councils, whereas in other cases a district council has assumed the responsibilities of a county council.
[edit] Elections
Elections to the council held in June 2005, lead to significant changes in composition as the Conservatives took over from the Liberal Democrats as the largest group, winning seats primarily from the liberals and the independents who had previously formed a united power block.[2] Later in the 2009 elections the Conservatives managed to hold on to their majority within the council by securing 24 of the revised number of 40 seats, however were the only Conservative council which actually lost seats that year.[3]
| Party | Composition as of 2009[4] | |
|---|---|---|
| Conservative | 23 | |
| Independent | 9 | |
| Liberal Democrat | 4 | |
| Labour | 1 | |
| Others | 3 | |
[edit] Coat of arms and flag
The Coat of arms of the Isle of Wight were first granted to the Isle of Wight County Council in 1938. In 1995 when this was abolished they were transferred to the present day Isle of Wight Council. The shield (pictured to the right) shows an image of Carisbrooke Castle, due to this being the historical seat of many former governors of the Isle of Wight. Along the bottom is the island's motto "All this beauty is of God". The shield showing Carisbrooke Castle forms the basis of the Isle of Wight Council Flag. Until January 2009 this was the only popularly known flag of the Isle of Wight and is used exclusively by the Council of local authority buildings, most notable on County Hall in Newport.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "The Isle of Wight (Structural Change) Order 1994". www.opsi.gov.uk. http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1994/Uksi_19941210_en_1.htm. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
- ^ "Pledge to fulfil election promises". Isle of Wight County Press. http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/pledge-to-fulfil-election-promises-9139.aspx. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
- ^ "Tories surge back in Island polls". Isle of Wight County Press. http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/tories-surge-back-in-island-polls-26595.aspx. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
- ^ "Isle of Wight Council election results". Isle of Wight County Press. http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/isle-of-wight-council-election-results-26585.aspx. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
