This in from Jonathan Bacon, issued by the Isle of Wight Independent Administration Executive and Councillors.
The dire financial situation the council are facing was highlighted in our article, How is the council going to survive? which has attracted significant discussion amongst Islanders. Ed
The financial settlement published by the Government before Christmas imposes a requirement that the Isle of Wight Council saves £17m from its budget in 2016/17 and a total of £26m over the next two years.
This comes on top of savings of £50m already made over the last five years leaving us with a remaining budget of £124m from which the further savings need to be drawn.
Papers reveal financial situation
The Budget Paper published by the Council for consideration at the Full Council Meeting on 20th January is to inform Councillors and the public of the financial situation we are currently in and of those matters that have to be considered in order to deal with the situation.
Leaders: “Utterly unpalatable possibilities”
Cllr Jonathan Bacon, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council and Leader of the Independent Group of Councillors said:
“The fact that a number of utterly unpalatable possibilities are having to be identified in the Paper that has been published essentially illustrates the stark situation that Central Government is putting the Isle of Wight Council in.
“The items have not been chosen or selected by the Council’s Administration but simply represent what the work to date has identified as being potential ways of meeting the financial tourniquet placed around the Council’s throat.
“Between now and February 24th when the Council’s budget must be fixed, consideration must be given as to how we construct a budget from the list of remaining services that have been identified. It is not a task that any members of the current Administration look forward to.
“In addition we have to identify ways in which we can deal in the longer term with this financial crisis. At the moment we cannot see how we can set a legal budget in 2017/2018. It may be that direct legal challenges to the Government’s actions become necessary.
“The approach of the Government is effectively putting at risk the future viability of the Isle of Wight Council. Our concern is that, at its most basic level, the Council has the responsibility and duty of providing essential services for children and vulnerable adults.
“While we can maintain these for now, although not in the form we would ideally like, the Government, by its financial treatment of the Council, is putting those services at risk and attacking these most vulnerable members of our community which should not be tolerated.”
Image: Alex E Proimus under CC BY 2.0
