Major plans to invest in East Cowes have been outlined in budget papers set to go before Full Council later this week.
As part of its 2022/23 spending plans, the Isle of Wight Council is proposing to invest around £389,000 in the East Cowes Marine Hub project, helping to create more than 150 jobs at Wight Shipyard based at the historic Columbine Works.
The significant investment will help lever millions of pounds in central government funding from the Levelling Up Fund, first announced last year.
Elsewhere, up to 100 new jobs could be created in Northwood with plans to allocate £900,000 towards a new business centre offering the first co-working location on the Island, much in demand as the work from anywhere, post pandemic workplace becomes ever more popular.
Improvements are also on the cards for Newport and Ryde where shopfronts and public spaces will benefit from £1million in match funding proposed as part of the High Streets Heritage Action Zone project.
Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, Cabinet member for regeneration and business development, said:
“The council’s regeneration programme is central to our aspirations to grow the income coming into the council, so to avoid cuts in services and spending.
“The council’s improving relationship and reputation with funding bodies and the profile of the Island as a place to invest, aligned with the collective will of the community to build back greener, considerably enhances regeneration potential on the Island.
Article continues below this advertisement “Our budget proposals are designed to enable and capitalise on these opportunities.”
The draft budget, which already has Cabinet support, also includes support for:
- the Branstone Farm jobs and housing scheme, developed by Island partners on council land which will open with a mix of new businesses, growing businesses and family homes
- community celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June
- Shaping Newport’s parking pilot, providing an hour of free parking in some car parks
- the regeneration of Newport Harbour and a flagship cultural centre
- the finale of the Tour of Britain, the UK’s most prestigious cycle race, in September.
Full Council will consider the draft budget on Wednesday 23rd February.
So long as the council can do it without increasing council tax, but of course that will never happen.
“Our budget proposals are designed to enable and capitalise on these opportunities.” Yes another opportunity to raise council taxes.
It won’t be too long before Council tax will be £100.00 a week
Reinventing the square wheel. Who allowed housing to be built on industrial land in East Cowes?
Yes, you’re right, the Isle of Wight Council.
But, of course, if they hadn’t then they would not have been able to think up this clever new idea.
Absolutely right, also having allowed Red Funnel to turn prime manufacturing space into car and lorry parks,. pathetically short sighted. Clear case of ‘after the horse has bolted’. And it’s not as though the authorities at the time were not told, they were, many times. They either had ‘other agendas’ or were very dim
Hello iow council – the island extends beyond Cowes – home of the leader of the iow council.
May I ask,
What is a flagship cultural centre ?
Please don’t
Obvious, council’s flagship is Floaty of Cowes and the cultural event will be the laying up on Coppins Bridge ably assisted by Island Roads with hoards of temporary traffic lights, all stuck on red, illuminating the area for three months.
Oh, that’s alright then.
I thought it might be something to do with ethnic minorities or LGBTQ+.