A sweeping amendment to the Isle of Wight Council’s draft 2026/27 budget has been proposed ahead of Wednesday’s Full Council meeting, where councillors will vote on how to address the authority’s £20 million structural deficit.
Councillor Geoff Brodie, a member of the Very Broad Church Group, has put forward five significant changes to the administration’s published proposals.
The first would remove a proposed £4m increase to general reserves, reducing the council’s annual deficit figure to £8.9m.
Councillor Brodie is also calling for the full £12m Transformation Reserve to be released and deployed as part of the budget solution, and for all proposed recurring savings – totalling £6.3m – to be scrapped entirely.
Free parking
A further element of the amendment would introduce or extend one hour of free on-street parking across all Island towns, including Newport.
Councillor Brodie describes this as creating “a level playing field” – a reference to the fact that some Island towns already benefit from free parking whilst Newport, the Island’s largest shopping centre, does not.
Support for pantries
Councillor Brodie is also proposing £300,000 in grants for the Island’s community pantries and larders, which face losing access to Department for Work and Pensions Household Support Fund allocations from April.
The grants would match the 2025-26 funding levels and, crucially, would be free from the bureaucratic requirements currently attached to DWP money.
Adult social care
On Adult Social Care, Brodie is proposing a six per cent uplift for all providers – costing £2.8m – which he says would more properly reflect the increased costs they face.
Any remaining balance from the Transformation Reserve after all the above measures would be allocated to general reserves.
IWC’s proposed budget
The amendment represents a markedly different approach to the administration’s draft budget, which includes a 4.99 per cent council tax rise, new and increased parking charges, service reductions, and a cross-council staffing reduction programme.
The council has also applied for Exceptional Financial Support from government – a loan mechanism to help set a legal budget – having warned that without it, emergency measures such as a Section 114 notice could be required.
Full Council is due to meet this Wednesday, 25th February 2026 from 5pm. Follow the meeting online.
Article edit
4.45pm 23rd Feb 2026 – Support for Pantries and ASC items added
