Councillor Joe Robertson

Annual Report 2022

Councillor Joe Robertson – Bembridge Ward

I was elected to represent Bembridge in May 2021. I serve on 3 Committees of the Isle of Wight Council: Corporate Scrutiny, Health and Social Care, and Appointments. While serving on those Committees I have scrutinised the draft Island Planning Strategy, the floating bridge, school closures, Covid response in the NHS, access to dental care, and appointments of senior staff which will include a new Chief Executive in the near future. During last year I became leader of the Conservative group of 18 Councillors which are the main opposition group on the Council.

Two of the biggest issues I have been involved with in the last 12 months are planning and flooding. Locally in Bembridge I have worked closely with residents, community groups and the Parish Council in relation to both. I have campaigned for greater focus on developing brownfield sites on the Island with more genuinely affordable housing which will help protect villages and rural areas. I successfully tabled an amendment to the Council’s budget in February which provided more funds for affordable homes and an increase in resources in the planning department, including planning enforcement. I also proposed funding for an independent report to bring forward brownfield land and restoration of footpaths and access to beaches. The majority of Councillors agreed and I look forward to the money being spent as allocated.

Parts of the Island endured significant summer flooding in June which caused internal damage to dozens of homes. I lobbied for, and subsequently participated in, a section 19 Flood Investigation to understand the causes of the flooding damage so that effective recommendations could be made to mitigate against these events in the future. The next 12 months will be spent ensuring those recommendations are implemented and all the relevant stakeholders including Island Roads and Southern Water are properly engaged.

Joe Robertson

May 2022