A COUNCILLOR has slammed the leader of the Isle of Wight Council for using the word 'pleased', when referring to the number of food vouchers distributed on the Island.

In the leader's report, which went to full council last night (Wednesday), one item said 'members will be pleased to know that over 4,500 food vouchers have been issued to support vulnerable children' during the December and February school holiday.

Questioning whether council leader Dave Stewart actually wrote the report, Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox said she could not be the only councillor who felt offended by the use of the word 'pleased'.

She said: "It shows a total lack of respect to [those children]. Indeed, it speaks volumes of the Conservative government that we are in this situation."

Cllr Peacey-Wilcox said Cllr Stewart should 'hold his head in shame' and asked the word to be changed to 'given' or 'issued'.

Saying he did not 'physically write the report in pen', Cllr Stewart said he did endorse and approve the report but it was a team effort, 'supported' by council officers and cabinet members who provide detail from their respective areas.

Cllr Stewart went on to say he did think members would be pleased to know, "'know' being the key point", that that number of food vouchers had been handed out to vulnerable children through the connect4communities scheme and that 160 care leavers have also received food vouchers for financial support.

He said: "I think when we are having young Islanders in difficulties it is right and proper that we should support them — I thought all members would be pleased to know that we are doing so."

The connect4communities scheme was introduced in December last year to help provide grants for community groups to support local families who are facing hardships due to the Covid-19 pandemic, either providing food and other essential items or helping with bills.