Green Councillors on the Isle of Wight will be backing the Alliance budget for 2022/23 this Wednesday due to its focus on the inclusion of housing affordable for Island residents, coastal flood protections and a new Mission Zero Community Hub to meet the Council’s net zero emissions targets as rapidly as possible.
Cllrs Claire Critchison (Chale, Niton and Shorwell) and Joe Lever (Carisbrooke and Gunville) have been working as part of a group of Independents and Greens who took over the Isle of Wight Council in May 2021 after years of Conservative Party cuts to local services.
Critchison: We must address the housing crisis, whilst protecting the countryside
Cllr Critchison, who is also Vice-Chair of the Council, said,
“Affordable housing provision is of great concern to the Green Party and we will be supporting this proposed budget to enable delivery of a £29m scheme for housing affordable to Island residents.
“We must address the housing crisis on the Island whilst also protecting the countryside for people and wildlife to enjoy.”
Tackle the impacts of climate change
The Independent-Green Alliance Budget also includes initiatives to tackle the impacts of climate change comprising a £6m commitment to coastal protection and flood defences at Bembridge, the Bay area and Ventnor which will protect 5,000 homes from flooding.
The proposals also involve the continued development of an Island-wide electric vehicle charging strategy, the appointment of steering group to support the UNESCO Biosphere and Dark Sky Status, and establishing a Mission Zero Community Hub to work towards the Isle of Wight’s net zero emissions targets.
Lever: Green councillors in the room are making a real difference
Cllr Joe Lever said,
“The Independent-Green Alliance budget proposal is a pragmatic response to over a decade of Conservative government cuts to local council budgets.
“With the promised Island Deal delayed again for another year – if we will ever receive it at all – councillors have had to prioritise young people, the elderly and the most vulnerable whilst also supporting the local economy to recover from the effects of the pandemic.
“Green councillors in the room are making a real difference on the Isle of Wight.”
The Full Council meeting starts at 5pm on Wednesday, 23rd February at County Hall.
