Residents may recently have heard about the Isle of Wight Council’s Voluntary Improvement Board, but what exactly is it and what does it do?

The Voluntary Improvement Board was created by the Isle of Wight Council on a voluntary basis as part of its commitment to continuous improvement and transformation. Rather than being imposed externally, the council chose to establish the board to provide independent oversight and expert advice.

Its role is to review progress against improvement plans, offer constructive challenge where needed, and share expertise and best practice from other organisations. The board helps ensure the council remains focused on delivering sustainable improvements across its services.

Importantly, the board does not make decisions on behalf of the council. Elected councillors continue to make decisions, while the board acts as a critical friend, providing independent support and scrutiny.

The board is made up of experienced individuals with backgrounds in local government, public services and organisational improvement.

Members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from across the sector, helping the council learn from best practice and identify opportunities to improve services for residents.

The Voluntary Improvement Board meets monthly to review the council’s progress against its improvement priorities. Members provide independent challenge and support, monitor the delivery of improvement plans, share good practice from elsewhere, identify risks and opportunities, and help the council continue to strengthen its governance, performance and service delivery.

Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council said, “The Voluntary Improvement Board provides us with valuable support, expertise and independent challenge, helping us stay focused on our improvement journey and our ambition to deliver better services for Island residents. The council is making good progress, but we know there’s always more we can do. The Board is helping us to achieve this”.

The board works to complement the council’s own scrutiny and governance arrangements, helping to ensure improvement activity remains on track.