Over the next few weeks, the Isle of Wight Council will be contacting 1,000 residents on the Island to gather their views on how our Council Tax money should be spent.
As well as running a workshop in December, the Council say that this survey will provide “the most accurate account of how Island residents feel about life here and also about council services now and in the future”.
We’re all for residents having their say, but to claim that talking to 1,000 residents provides an accurate representation of the Island population is pushing it a bit in our view.
They say that the outcomes of the phone calls will help them decide what the priorities should be when next year’s budget is set at the end of February.
IW Council leader Cllr David Pugh said: “Because of the recession and the way the council receives funding from Government, next year’s budget will involve taking some difficult decisions. The council is prepared to make those decisions but is also keen to ensure those choices reflect the opinions of residents.
“It is likely we will have to review some services as part of our need to live within our means but we are keen to direct resources to those that are most valued by our residents and those for which we have a statutory duty.
“I would ask residents to take the time to respond to the telephone survey if they are contacted in the coming weeks. I assure residents that their views will be taken into account when setting the budget.
“This consultation is a genuine chance for Islanders to influence the decisions that will affect services the council provides.”
Image: The U.S. National Archives under CC BY-SA 2.0
