Of all the councils in England, the Isle of Wight has the 11th highest rate of council tax.
From April, Islanders will fork out an average £2,029.27 to the Isle of Wight council and its adult social care services in the next 12 months.
The new figures have been revealed by the government’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which compared all 317 county, district, metropolitan and London borough councils and unitary authorities across England.
Top of the list
Coming in with the most expensive council tax was Rutland County Council — which the Island is often compared to — with the average Band D residents paying £2,175.41 a year — £146.14 more than Islanders.
The Island came in 11th, after a 5.33 per cent increase in council tax and adult social care precept, behind much larger authorities like Durham, Liverpool, Bristol, Northumberland and Gateshead.
More than £2,000
The Island is only one of 15 areas in the country where residents pay more than £2,000 in council tax and adult social care precepts.
Over the water Southampton City Council came in at 67th, with an average Band D taxpayer paying £1,812.69, followed by Portsmouth in 91st at £1,731.15.
What the increase will pay for
An increase in the Isle of Wight council’s tax will pay for feasibility studies to look at a range of projects including solar panels over car parks, pre-fabricated affordable homes and a home for looked-after children and young people with special educational needs.
It also includes the resurfacing of the car park at County Hall and providing Coroner’s Court facilities at the council’s offices in Seaclose Park.
Fire Service
Out of the 30 fire services in the country, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority is the ninth lowest cost for residents at an average £82.84.
The highest was Durham Fire Authority, charging residents an average of £118.12 for its services, compared to the lowest West Midlands Fire at £75.20.
Police Force
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner put up the police precept by the joint lowest amount across the country, 3.98 per cent.
It saw bills increase by £10 for a Band D resident but meant the Island had the 10th least expensive precept out of 37 police forces, at a cost of £261.46.
The lowest was Northumbria Police at £181.84 and the highest was Surrey Police, at £323.57.
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
