Ryde council taxpayers in Band C properties will pay £12.17 more per year as part of a £1.85 million town council budget agreed this week.
Nine Ryde town councillors backed a proposal from Councillor Phil Jordan for ‘Budget One’ and a 7.5 per cent rise precept rise amid ongoing cost increases and pressures on residents at a full council meeting on Tuesday (3rd February 2026).
Spending plans
Spending plans for 2026/7 include £339,886 for the Network Ryde youth service, which is an increase of £79,367.92 compared to 2025/26.
There will be £23,345.96 more for Ryde Marina to reach a £178,396.96 total.
There will be £13,500 in grants, including £4,000 for Ryde Carnival and £2,000 for Harp on Wight.
Changes in budget
Budget One also allocates £344,600 for administration – a decrease of £29,373.94 – and £122,884 on community development, including on Ryde Help Centre, which is £12,564.40 less than in 2025/26.
Ryde Town Council’s (RTC) budget consultation received 94 responses, with 68 per cent of respondents saying they would be prepared to pay more tax to keep Network Ryde at its current provision.
The passed budget goes against a recommendation by RTC’s finance and community resources committee for a £1,813,419 budget plan for 2026/27, ‘Budget Two’.
Committee members had previously recommended a five per cent precept rise.
Temel: Low reserves does need to be tackled
Councillor Lou Temel, who represents Ryde West, said,
“I can’t go along with Budget One…because it means there is a £96,000 deficit on the year and I think we should be looking to reduce our deficit.
“The audit has been going on for some years about the lowness of our reserves and that does need to be tackled – I think running a high deficit budget is not a good way to go about that.”
Dore: Some very hard decisions to make down the line
Binstead councillor Ian Dore said,
“It’s no secret that all of us in council land are in trouble financially with some very hard decisions to make down the line.
“I’m not in favour of a precept rise, I would like to look at something where we can pull everything together to reduce costs to keep us on a steady keel over the year.”
Courtney: Brings stability
Councillor Chani Courtney, of Haylands and Swanmore, said,
“The ripple effect of providing stable, accessible things for the beach, the Ryde Information and Support Service, the extras that go onto option one (Budget One) have a far greater benefit than the pound a month they’re (residents) expected to pay for it.
“The amount of work that’s gone into this plan with the option one and the precept will give stability for them (RTC staff) to deliver the services rather than just keep talking about it.”
Jordan: We’ve done the right thing for this council
Speaking after the budget vote, Councillor Jordan said,
“We’ve done the right thing for this council and therefore for our community. For those that wanted a different outcome…we’ve increased it nine pence a week more than what your preferred option is.
“I’ve heard Newport are proposing 50 per cent.”
A proposed 45 per cent precept increase is due to be considered by Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council at its Monday meeting (9th February 2026).
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
