Cllr Vanessa Churchman, leader of the The Independent Group of Councillors on the Isle of Wight announced this evening that they have put together an alternative budget, which they claim, will give officers an extra year to make efficiency savings without having to close libraries etc.
The announcement was made prior to the Cabinet meeting to some 200-300 protesters at the rally outside County Hall.
Cllr Churchman said, “The Independent Group of Councillors are appalled at the front-line cuts which the Isle of Wight Council are proposing. The closure of libraries, public toilets and the withdrawal of funding for of adult social care is inexcusable.
“If this administration had started working towards more cost-effective and better service delivery at least 2 years ago we would not be facing such draconian cuts now, some of which are clearly a knee-jerk reaction to desperately cover up the lack of adequate political fiscal direction.
“Blaming the Government is not an answer, still less an excuse.
“It is the taxpayer that funds this Council and as such we have every right to expect our money to be spent wisely. By expecting Town and Parish Councils to raise their precepts to cover certain services this administration is forcing double taxation on some Islanders which is not acceptable.
“What the Independent Councillors are proposing is a budget that gives Officers a further year to make efficiency savings within the whole Council.
“If we allow closure of any libraries, together with Waterside Pool, we will never get them back again. It is widely accepted there is a limit to how much and what volunteers can take on and there is no guarantee they will be successful in their endeavours.
“Other Councils round the country have come up with good ideas and practices to enhance and protect not only their libraries but other front-line services by making them more efficient and cost-effective and we need to tap in to this information which is freely available.
“By making savings in such things as salaries, capital expenditure adjustments, and various other areas, the Independents will show the way forward and produce a legal and balanced budget for the coming year.”
More details on the figures when we have them.
Image: © Isle of Wight council
