Today, the Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation has confirmed that Brian Johnson will be appointed as the Independent Chair for the Cross-Solent Group
The Cross Solent Group (CSG) is
being set up by the Isle of Wight Council following a ministerial roundtable
held on the Isle of Wight in April 2025. The roundtable, attended by key
stakeholders across the political spectrum, and representatives from business,
tourism, the NHS and education, was organised to facilitate discussion around
the issues affecting people’s ability to rely upon important Isle of Wight
ferry services.
The establishment of the CSG, and
the appointment of an Independent Chair, were one of the key actions to come
from the roundtable and its agreed remit was clear:
To explore and address key issues
affecting car and passenger transport services between the Isle of Wight and
mainland UK. The group will have a specific focus to identify practical,
locally-led solutions to improve service delivery, affordability, and accessibility
for residents, businesses, and visitors to the Island.
Purpose
The group aims to:
- identify
practical, locally led solutions to improve service delivery,
affordability and accessibility for residents, businesses and visitors
- address
key issues affecting car and passenger transport services between the Isle
of Wight and the mainland
- support
the Island’s economy by considering the impact of ferry services on
businesses, tourism, health and social mobility
Responsibilities
The group will:
- agree
and publish its terms of reference and membership
- promote
constructive debate and effective collaboration
- operate
in line with governance best practice and the Nolan principles of
standards in public life
Membership
The group will include
representatives from:
- local
government
- transport
operators
- business
and tourism
- health
and education sectors
- other
key stakeholders
Independent Chair: Brian Johnson,
responsible for:
- finalising
both the Cross Solent Group’s (CSG) Terms of Reference (ToR) and
membership, ensuring it has a diverse and broad range of voices, with
appropriate expertise and knowledge and defined roles and responsibilities
and set of objectives
- leading
the CSG, ensuring its meetings are focused and that it fulfils the
functions, aims and objectives, as set out in the ToR
- setting
the CSG’s agenda, focusing primarily on ‘locally-led solutions to
improve service delivery, affordability, and accessibility’ as well
as promoting constructive CSG debate and effective collaboration
- ensuring
that CSG members operate in accordance with governance best practice and
the Nolan principles of standards in public life.
Duration
The group is time-limited. The
length of its work will be confirmed.