At last week’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, much praise was placed on a budget presentation created by the council’s Managing Director, Dave Burbage.
Through the chair of the meeting, Cllr Ivor Warlow requested the presentation be shared with the media in order for Islanders to have a better understanding of the pressures the council will be under over the coming years.
£28m funding gap
As previously mentioned here, due to a cut in the Government grant, the Isle of Wight council will be having to find savings of £28m over the next three years.
Pressures on the budget do not just include the funding gap. The Island faces an increased need for adult social, improvements are required in the ‘Inadequate’ children’s services, increased statutory duties (such as the local council tax support scheme) and further investment in schools, council buildings and fire services will all have an impact.
Re-engineering services
Leader of the council, Cllr Ian Stephens, stressed that his council were keen to provide re-engineered offerings rather than see cuts in vital services.
The slide show below sets out the issues in a clear and concise way.
