A 55% price hike has been approved for Freshwater residents’ Council Tax bills — with an average increase of £63 a year.
As part of the parish council’s precept, funding has been earmarked for buoys in Colwell Bay, a proposed skatepark and pump track and Christmas celebrations and decorations.
The parish council considered four options for its 2023/4 council tax precept, ranging from a 27 per cent increase — to simply maintain the parish assets due to rising costs — to the agreed 55%.
A well-attended public consultation was held at the end of January where the parish council said residents overwhelmingly supported the highest proposed option.
One resident said:
“Freshwater is a community to be proud of. The investment by the parish council in services which enhance and support the community as a whole must be commended.”
The parish council says this enables them to continue supporting community investment in the village — allocating a community fund of £85,000.
As part of the £75,000 community investment fund last year, £60,000 was given to the West Wight Sports and Community Centre, £500 to local scooter rider Joe Crockett to attend the World Championships and £864 to Citizens Advice.
Freshwater Parish Council clerk, Heather Rowell said after the decision they were heartened by the support from residents that enables them to maintain and grow the assets in the community for the benefit of all.
In 2022/23, the precept increased by five per cent, to £117.04 for a Band D resident. whilst from April, the average Band D resident in Freshwater will pay £180.48 to the parish council.
Well done Freshwater. Its heartening to hear how they have embraced this and the new migrant hostel. Top marks chaps.
Well, money goes to money.
Absolute rip off, using the precept for squeezing more and more blood from a stone. When is this council going to be investigated, Seely is dead quiet of course, man of the people. People can’t afford it. Never mind I’m sure some pockets will be lined, and guess what, in April the council will award themselves a huge pay rise of course. It is going to happen.
I’m not sure how many times I have to post this, but all town & parish Councillors are unpaid volunteers. They won’t be awarding themselves anything.
They do it for the brown envelopes.
Still get inflated expenses paid .
Except ridiculous expenses. Don’t tell me they don’t, because they do.
Like the way we’ll supported public meeting? Less than .05% of Freshwater and most of those middle class. If Newport/Carisbrooke can do no increase why can’t Freshwater?. IWC should be paying not Parish Council. Or maybe do away with IWC and let town and Parish Councils take over. Why we pay for so many paper pushing middle people?
Omg are they having a laugh,where is this money going to come from? People are struggling to live as it is without a huge increase,there’s literally no hope,I’m absolutely astounded
Freshwater is dead there nothing there any more “” all the clubs have been shut down is this becoming a GHOST TOWNN
Parasites killing their host.