There are two motions being tabled at this coming Wednesday’s Full Council meeting.
The first is by Cllr Jonathan Bacon, who is asking the council to agree a strategy to help Parish and Town Councils, community groups or any others who plan to take on services being affected by the proposed budget cuts.
Cllr Bacon is proposing that the council ensure that requests for information in relation to taking on these services are dealt with as a matter of urgency and that officers provide as much help as possible to ensure seamless provision of services.
In light of the current programme of proposed cuts, The Isle of Wight Council agrees to draw up and adopt a clear strategy for dealing with Parish and Town Councils, community groups and any others who may wish to or be seeking to put forward proposals to run or provide affected services and facilities or an acceptable alternative.
This strategy should include the provision of detailed financial information about such services and facilities and require officers of the Isle of Wight Council to respond to requests for information as a matter of urgency in order to give the greatest possible assistance to bodies seeking to take on or otherwise provide services and to give the greatest possible chance for services and facilities to be maintained, where possible without any break in provision.
The second motion, being tabled by Cllr David Pugh was mentioned in the IW Conservatives press release sent out Friday in which Pugh challenged other councillors to submit alternative budgets.
(i) The Council notes that the Coalition Government is committed to eliminating the national structural deficit by 2015 and has set out a strategy by which it intends to achieve this. It is accepted that significant reductions in funding to local government form part of this strategy.
(ii) The Council notes that the difference between the likely level of funding to be received next year and the projected level of expenditure (based on the continuation of existing service provision, taking into account demographic factors) is anticipated to be £17.8m.
(iii) The Council agrees that this required level of savings will only be achieved by radically reshaping the local authority, in line with the principles agreed by the Cabinet in December 2010.
(iv) The Council recognises that agreeing a balanced budget for the 2011/12 financial year is required by law.
(v) The Council expects balanced budget proposals to be tabled by all groups; determining expenditure priorities between social, cultural, leisure, environmental and economic services.
