Page 19 - Cllr Andre News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

The Isle of Wight's new education lead says she's very concerned over school places at Cowes Enterprise College.

Cllr Andre says situations have been compounded by Covid, but says we cannot continue to blame everything on the pandemic

By Lucy Morgan Audience and Content Editor Sandown North's Cllr Debbie Andre, independent, is in chage of education. Independent councillor for Sandown North, Debbie Andre, will lead education on the Isle of Wight. She was announced on Wednesday night, as Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox took control of the authority - leading Team Alliance, which comprises independents and some party members. Speaking to the County Press, Cllr Andre said: "I'm absolutely delighted to get this cabinet portfolio for children's s...

All except one spoke of their support for the campaign. Isle of Wight Labour's Richard Quigley and Our Island's Jonathan Bacon both said that they did not think the school should close. Nick Stewart, for the Liberal Democrats, called the threatened closure "devastating and unnecessary." The Isle of Wight Green Party's Vix Lowthion and the leader of the Island Independents coalition, Cllr Debbie Andre, both called for more to be done to support struggling rural areas. Cllr Andre said: "We fully support the efforts that are being made by Chillerton and Gatcombe Parish Council and loca...

All three alternatives ultimately fell but not before feelings could be made known about the incoming changes. In a bid to enhance communities, boost the local economy, create jobs and tackle both the Covid and climate change emergencies', Lib Dem group leader Cllr Andrew Garratt tried to persuade councillors their budget amendment was a 'better approach'. After four years of a 'diminishing' council budget, thanks to the Conservative government in Westminster, Cllr Garratt said the cuts to local government had been 'cruel'. While the Island Deal is still not on the table, £50,000 has...