This in from the Independent Group of Isle of Wight councillors. Budget documents embedded below for your convenience. In their own words. Ed
Fairness, Reinvestment and Innovation
Independent councillors have heralded their 2012 budget counterproposals as a real opportunity for the Isle of Wight, which they say has been badly damaged by Conservative cuts that have been amongst the most drastic in the whole country.
“Fair and equitable”
In a statement Councillor Ian Stephens, Coordinator of Independent Members of the Isle of Wight Council said, “We have attempted to construct a budget proposal that meets the current financial challenges in a fair and equitable manner, extends assistance to those areas that need it to support Island people and businesses and restores some of those areas damaged by the actions of the current Council leadership in recent years.”
Specific proposals include:
- Islandwide Residents Car Parking Permit
- Adult Social Care and Community Wellbeing Reinvestment
- Unoccupied Buildings Entrepreneurs Scheme
- Cycleway and Footpath Improvement Scheme
- Youth Sports Club Premises Grants
- Lifeguards For Main Seaside Resorts
- Libraries Support and Redevelopment
- Youth Service Reinvestment
- Tourist Information Service
- Dog Fouling and Littering Prevention and Enforcement
- Public Toilet Expansion Scheme
- TetraPak Recycling
- Community Projects
- Town and Parish Council Support Scheme
Approved as lawful and balanced by Section 151 officer
Cllr Stephens went on to say, “After consultation with residents, businesses, service providers and Officers of the Isle of Wight Council, including the Council’s financial officer and Section 151 Officer, we feel that we have come up with a robust alternative budget for 2012 – 2013 which both supports residents and provides innovative ways forward for the Isle of Wight.
“Instead of pursuing cuts in areas such as adult learning disability, respite care, youth services and community support, including street based services, we reject the Conservative Groups proposals and propose reinvestment to maintain and develop support and services at appropriate levels.
“We do not accept that facilities such as Westminster House should be “trading organisations” forced to place their financial viability above the needs of their clients. We propose that any savings that have been made are reinvested directly into the provision of further support for Westminster House and other similar facilities.”
Independent Alternative Budget Proposal 2012
Image: Derek Coetzee under CC BY 2.0
