Councillor Jonathan Bacon shares this latest news from the Alliance Group of councillors. Ed
The Alliance Group on the Isle of Wight Council has today put forward a budget amendment proposing a £1.3 million drawdown from the Council’s Transformation Fund to prevent a series of measures that would increase costs for residents, businesses and visitors, and place further strain on essential services.
The amendment seeks to reverse proposals put forward by the Council’s Finance Officer including increased parking charges, removal of free parking areas, higher Floating Bridge charges, reduced opening hours at Household Waste and Recycling Centres and staffing reductions that could severely impact other services.
The Alliance Group believes these measures would have a damaging impact on town centres, local businesses, service delivery, and community wellbeing.
Jordan: We have been fiscally responsible over the past four years
Leader of the Council, Councillor Phil Jordan speaking on behalf of the Alliance Group, said,
“We recognise the extremely difficult financial position facing the Council, driven by years of reduced government funding and increasing demand for services. However, we cannot support proposals that shift the burden further onto residents, businesses, and frontline services without exhausting all available alternatives.
“Our amendment would protect town centres and support local businesses by preventing increases in parking charges and retaining free parking areas, maintain existing Floating Bridge charges while work continues on the replacement Floating Bridge 7 and keep Household Waste and Recycling Centres open at current hours, recognising their vital role in environmental management.
“Over the past five years, when the Council operated a Cabinet based system, the Alliance led administration reduced Council debt and delivered millions of pounds in savings, while continuing to invest in essential services and infrastructure.
“Under the new Committee system budget proposals now essentially come from Council Officers, however we cannot support proposals which go against all the work we have done. We have been fiscally responsible over the past four years, reducing debt and making difficult decisions where necessary, but we must also protect the economic and social fabric of our Island.
“We cannot support measures that risk undermining our town centres, restricting access to essential services, and placing additional financial pressure on our already highly taxed community.”
