This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
The commitment from Rt. Hon. Greg Clark MP to undertake a needs-based review which recognises that the Island faces unique costs, has been welcomed by the Isle of Wight Council.
Cllr Jonathan Bacon, Leader of the council, said:
“I am grateful to Rt. Hon. Greg Clark MP and our MP Andrew Turner for undertaking to look again at how the Isle of Wight is funded and I hope that it means they, at last, recognise that there are increased costs that arise from being an Island.
“However, it also does not help us to overcome the current financial position facing the council as we look to set a balanced budget for 2016/17, in the coming weeks. I am also concerned that there are no timescales to completing this review. As I have said before, I cannot see any way the council can set a lawful, balanced budget for 2017/18 based on the current planned funding allocations from government. The review must, therefore, be completed in the next six months for the council and the Island to have a sustainable future and must result in us receiving the funding we currently lack.
“The hope, however, that government may change our funding model to meet our needs is to be welcomed and is more than we have secured from government from any of our lobbying activities over the last few years. Only time will tell whether it will assist us in future years. We look forward to the review and to playing and full and active part in it. We trust that it will produce some tangible figures, which will hopefully form the basis for a secure financial future for the Isle of Wight and its residents.
“In the meantime, we will continue to make our case for this review, and to ensure that this promise is adhered to. Public services on the Island are under increasing and unique pressure, due to increasing demands for our services, increasing burdens imposed by government and a raft of other limitations that being an Island brings. The fight is not won, but this is a step in the right direction, and we look forward to working with Mr Clark to find a resolution that meets the needs and expectations of our Island community.”
“It seems that we have an opportunity to work together to make a compelling case to government. We need to set out the challenges, and their costs, in providing public services to ensure that we can offer at least the same quality of service as those enjoyed by mainland communities. We will need to consider and present views from all sectors of the community about the costs of doing business here, so that we can take full advantage of this, and secure a fair funding settlement for the Island.”
Image: © Simon Haytack
