Isle of Wight Council leader on end of Hampshire partnership

Reacting to today's statement, she said: "We were taken aback to be informed of Hampshire’s decision, although we were already evaluating the ongoing support from Hampshire, due to some issues.

"We were looking to raise these issues in negotiations over the future of the arrangement."

• Read more: What's next for Hampshire and Isle of Wight children's services partnership?

Cllr Peacey-Wilcox said County Hall would be seeking support from the government and other potential partners, after what she called the unplanned termination of the two authorities' partnership.

Solutions could include managing services on the Island again.

For its part, Hampshire County Council says financial constraints and the need to concentrate on children in Hampshire are among its reasons for change.

The two councils have been working together since 2013, when Ofsted judged Island  services to be inadequate.

As a result, Hampshire County Council’s children’s services team has been running those on the Island, including social care, child protection and safeguarding, school place planning, school admissions and support for children with special education needs.

Isle of Wight Council says it has delivered positive results and in 2018, the Island's services were judged to be good by Ofsted.

Cowes North councillor, Richard Quigley, said it was a sign funding pressures are hitting statutory services but argued it was a chance to build on improvements and find solutions for areas yet to improve, such as SEN provision.

Cllr Peacey-Wilcox said: "The primary concern for us is that Isle of Wight Children receive the best education possible under all circumstances and that the care and support they need is properly managed in a way that reflects the need of our Island and our local island communities."