Councillor Phil Jordan, leader of the Isle of Wight council, shares this latest news. Ed
Following the governments annual finance settlement, last confirmed in December 2024, when no additional funding for the Island was granted, the Leader of the council has written to the Minister, Jim McMahon, setting out the ongoing reasons why the Isle of Wight council should receive more funding in line with our Island status.
The Government uses complex formulas to calculate how local authorities should be funded from Government, but they do not necessarily take into account the added Island factors and detachment from the mainland costs of lifeline ferries which increase service delivery costs.
The Isle of Wight council continues to make a strong case for additional funding and this letter is the latest in a long line of financial funding demands of Government to treat the Island fairly.
Jordan: Islanders shouldered increased costs and service cuts over past 14 years
Leader of the Isle of Wight council, Councillor Phil Jordan, said,
“I continue to fight for our Island, continue to travel to Westminster to plead our case and I continue to make the strongest case possible for our local authority so that we get to receive the money we believe is fair, sustainable and due to us under the prevailing circumstances we face.
“Government does recognise the funding gap – and in 2023 provided an additional £4m to us which they then repeated the following year, in December 2024. The trouble is, £4m is not the fair funding we should be receiving and whilst we have estimates reaching £24m a year needed, we are asking for £13m as a fair funding settlement in addition to the calculated amount Government have provided.
“Islanders have done their bit. Shouldered the increased costs and service cuts over the past 14 years and its now time that Government recognise the full amount we need and ensure we get that funding without any further delay.”
