The forty Isle of Wight councillors will tonight (Wednesday) debate and vote on budget proposals for 2016/17.
As comprehensively reported over the last few months, the Isle of Wight council (IWC) faces having to make £16.7m of savings in the coming year. Many of those savings have already been approved, and with the proposed assistance of £4m from the Reserves, it leaves the council having to agree £2.8m of savings tonight.
Bleak view ahead
The outlook for 2017/18 is more devastating though, with another £10m of cuts in Government funding expected, the IWC say they will be unable to fully-fund statutory services such as adult social care and children’s services.
Two weeks ago the Minister Greg Clark committed to working with the IWC over the coming months to find a solution to that shortfall in 2017/18.
During his House of Commons speech, Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Andrew Turner, said that “resources must be shared most fully”. OnTheWight did ask what he meant by this, but his office have failed to provide a response.
One reading of it may be sharing officers with another authority.
Amendments to proposed budget
All Groups in the council have submitted their amendments to the proposed budget, except the Conservatives.
A great deal of debate is expected tonight, so do follow our live coverage to stay ahead of the discussions. All in one place, the page automatically refreshing when updates are added.
Live updates
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Papers: The Agenda
Click on the links within the Agenda to see the other papers that will be discussed at the meeting.
Agenda: Isle of Wight Full Council Budget Meeting February 2016
