Newport and Carisbrooke residents could see their town council tax frozen but no new play equipment would be added to the parks in the area as the cost of living impact continues.
Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council’s preliminary budget for the next year was unveiled on Monday night with plans to invest in a youth initiative and continue the regeneration of the former Edinburgh Woollen Mill shop on the High Street.
In the budget-setting process, some tough decisions had to be made including the decision to not put on any events celebrating the coronation of King Charles II. The council also said it could not afford the proposed £10,000 commitment nor £5,000 for events for a Car-Free Day.
To host the events, it would have to raise the amount it was asking residents for and for each £7,000 the community council adds to its budget, the tax rises by 1%. An upgrade for the MUGA at Downside Recreation Ground and play equipment for Parkhurst was also removed from the budget.
Councillor Geoff Brodie said in the current economic climate the council was not looking to increase the precept, so the budget would essentially be frozen.
He said it would be entirely inappropriate to have an expanding budget, which would invest in more areas but increase the council tax.
While it is said to be a frozen budget, councillors agreed it was actually cutting services, which Cllr Julie Jones-Evans said was counterintuitive as people needed the community council more and she wished they could do more.
Funding has been earmarked to continue the free parking hour in 3 Newport town centre car parks — should the Isle of Wight Council agree to continue the pilot. If the larger authority does not wish to carry on the parking scheme from May, the money would instead fund a community development officer.
More money has been put towards Newport’s Day of Christmas event.
However, the final budgetary decisions will be made at the community council’s meeting in February.
Currently, the average Band D taxpayer in the area pays the community council £90.86 a year. The figure increased last year by 2.5%.
bet the councillors haven’t cut their meeting fees and expenses claims though
These councillors don’t have any expenses or fees or any financial remuneration- all completely voluntary. Perhaps you should volunteer to be a town / parish /community councillor instead of sitting in your ar..mchair making assumptions that are incorrect and statements that are not true.
‘truth!’ Don’t make me laugh!
Sensible decisions for a large catchment area – we must just hope that in 18 months plus time things will improve not only here but throughout the world. Just hope other local Councils are taking the same approach and not milking their residents for more as they must realise life is currently very tough for many.
Correct decision re the Coronation. £10k to celebrate someone having a fancy hat plonked on his head is ludicrous.
I no its hard for the council to give a straight yes or no it all ways seams to be a could
What’s wrong with these people.
Just give a straight firm solid you are or you arn not for once
Regardles of whether they receive renumeration or not it is just another layer of bureacracy that is not required,the island can easily be run by the county council then the local council buildings can be sold off for the benifit of the whole island.