Invitation from Councillor Ian Stephens on behalf of fellow Isle of Wight Council Independent Councillors:

As you may be aware, Independent Isle of Wight Councillors have, for the first time in the history of the Isle of Wight Council, invoked the Council's Constitution to table a 'State of the Island Debate' which has been tabled to be held during the Full Council meeting on Wednesday 25th January 2012.

Our wish was that residents of the Island and various groups could put forward their views, however this was deemed as not possible under the Isle of Wight Council Constitution.

Consequently we would like to invite you to a public meeting at The Riverside Centre, Newport on Saturday 21st January at 10am so that you can have an opportunity to express your views on The State of the Island which we can listen to and take into the Debate at Full Council.

The meeting is apolitical and will be chaired as such. All are welcome to the meeting on Saturday 21st January, at the Riverside Centre, when councillors will be present to hear the views of Islanders – we want them to be heard.