Isle of Wight taxpayers could be facing an annual increase to their bills equivalent to a typical weekly family shop.
With an increase in the Police precept for Hampshire Constabulary and proposed rises for both the Isle of Wight Council and for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, Islanders paying a Band D tax rate could be facing a £65.33 increase.
Average weekly food shop
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, dating back to 2020, say the average price of a weekly food shop for a family was £63.70 — £1.63 less than the proposed increase.
Additional town, parish or community council tax increases would be on top of that.
Band D taxpayer rises
Most of the local councils on the Island are still to set their budgets for 2022/23, but Ryde and Sandown town councils have agreed to increase their precepts, landing residents with 2.5 and five per cent rises respectively. Ventnor have agreed a 6.3 per cent rise.
From 1st April, if the proposed increases go ahead, a Band D taxpayer will pay £2,043.04 for public services, jumping from £1977.71.
But how does that break down?
Isle of Wight Council
Although it is yet to be approved, the ruling Alliance administration is proposing a 2.99 per cent increase — with one per cent of that dedicated to adult social care.
For Band D taxpayers, it could see a £50.33 increase — from £1,680.82 to £1,731.15
The Alliance has proposed £25 million for building affordable housing, £3 million on infrastructure and transport but increased charges for one of its care services and a fee to optionally live stream funerals.
Hampshire Constabulary
In a move backed by the new Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, the amount we pay towards policing on the Island will increase by 4.4 per cent.
For a Band D taxpayer, this means a £10 rise — or 19p a week — from £226.46 to £236.46.
Across the two counties, this will raise an additional £7 million which Ms Jones says will be put towards the recruitment of nearly 200 new officers and investment in crime prevention.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service
At its meeting today (Tuesday), the authority is proposing a 7.1 per cent increase across the region.
For a Band D taxpayer, this would mean a £5 rise — going from £70.43 to £75.43.
On the Island, should the increase be approved, this would fund a £1.7 million investment programme into the fire stations.
Any changes would take effect from 1st April 2022.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: lauramorley under CC BY 2.0
