Just 700 Islanders have had their say on how the Isle of Wight Council should spend its money next year.
The council asked residents to take part in the consultation to help councillors and council staff understand key priorities for the coming year with the continued reductions in government funding and against a backdrop of rising inflation.
Almost 700 surveys were completed online — compared to 501 last year and 347 the year before — while a series of workshops were organised for stakeholders from town and parish councils, the business sector, unions and voluntary sector.
The feedback has been used to help shape the 2022/23 budget which is due to be published tomorrow (Wednesday).
Given the significant financial challenges, the consultation asked people if they thought the council should increase council tax or make deeper cuts to services. In total, 71% opted for an increase of 1%, 2% or more than 2% — the most popular choice was for a 2% rise (36% of respondents).
To help close some of the funding gap, residents were asked if they would prefer to see an increase in fees and charges — such as in leisure and parking — or reduced levels of service. Of respondents, 73% said they would prefer to see an increase in charges for services — the most popular choice (42%) was for a modest increase.
Asked how important various social care services were to them, 33% ranked ‘aged and disabled’ as their top priority followed by ‘children’s care’ with 29%.
Finally, the consultation asked residents where the council should spend any remaining funds once it had met all of its statutory obligations. ‘Public health, homelessness and housing’ came top (32%), closely followed by ‘adult and children’s social care’ with 31%.
During the consultation, many respondents spoke about their own financial difficulties over the past 2 years, particularly from the impact of COVID-19 and the increase costs of living. The lack of housing affordable to Islanders and the detrimental impact of second homes on the Island, were common themes discussed at all of the workshops.
Councillor Chris Jarman, Cabinet member for strategic finance, corporate resources and transformational change, has said:
“I sincerely thank everyone who took part in this year’s budget consultation. It appears the shorter and much more focussed survey we introduced this year encouraged more residents to have their say which is helpful.
“We are having to consider very carefully how we allocate our limited resources to provide the best services for Island residents — and in framing our finalised proposals, will take into consideration the feedback from our budget consultation process as well as other consultations carried out by the council in recent months.”
Residents can find out more about the council’s proposed spending plans for this year at a special budget public meeting to be held virtually via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 9th February at 18:00. The meeting will be attended by senior council officers and members of the Cabinet who will outline the proposals and take people’s questions. To register to attend and receive the link, click here.
Sorry can’t believe that only 700 residents here on the Isle of Wight responded to an online survey. So for starters 71% would welcome an increase in council tax. 73% would welcome an increase in charges for services.What a pile of c**p coming out of the Isle of Wight council mouths.I know plenty of people here on the island and in the town where I reside and NOBODY I’ve spoken to wish for any increases. How can anybody trust councillors that have consistently lied about the farcical floating bridge/chain ferry. Sorry don’t believe anything about this so called survey.
I completed that survey……the question about increasing council tax was structured so that it was almost impossible not to agree to an increase.
the one option that allowed for no increase was at the bottom, but worded in a way that made it look like an unappealing choice…..I still chose it though
And the survey is a waste of time and money as the Council will not listen or change a thing. We will all still pay a lot more for less. It’s been suggested many times to reduce councillors themselves by half which will never happen because they all enjoy the ‘gravy train’ too much
The council should be responsible and like any responsible household if you haven’t got the money you can’t just spend it on stupid schemes.
How about asking the whole chuffing island!
Hey Ed whats happened to my post I wrote earlier. Too near the truth for comfort ? Are posts being taken off as they are upsetting certain people on the Isle of Wight council ? 700 people out of a population of 140,000 plus is not a fair indication of what people really think. Still nothing surprises me any more.
Totally and utterly agree with iOW claptrap. The whole of the island should have been surveyed . Then a ‘true’ figure would have been shown. (Unless this untrustworthy council gave false figures which is not beyond them) Where were the so called 700 spread over or come from. Perhaps kiss ass Bob Seely has a hand in this. Blimey this could be as farcical as Bozo Johnson ‘Partygate’
Err, let’s get one thing straight island echo, it’s not the councils money, it’s our money!!
The general and most correctly held view is that the council is made up of corrupt self serving liars at best.
Having completed 2 previous surveys. They are full of loaded questions. Usually the pet project, tax more. So the feckless, don’t want to work or contribute aren’t inconvenienced.
The tens of thousands actually about to be ripped off, don’t want any increase
where these 700 respondent’s council workforce that may have been told you say yes to increase council tax and we might give you a 0.001% rise