County Hall has now revealed that Isle of Wight residents will not get a direct say on council tax support worth over £10million for low-income households.
Councillors on the policy, finance and resources committee (PFRC) have agreed not to consult on changes to the Local Council Tax Support Scheme (LCTS) for 2027/28.
LCTS helps people on a low income pay their council tax and the level of support Islanders can get is subject to income and personal circumstances.
At a meeting held last week (Thursday), the committee voted to follow an amended officers’ recommendation for the existing LCTS to be rolled forward unchanged, subject only to changes required by legislation and administrative necessity.
Adam Richens, chief finance officer at the Isle of Wight Council, said:
“The intent of the recommendation is a recognition that we have very scarce capacity as an organisation.
“We need that capacity focused on taking us towards the solutions, not necessarily spending every year going through an in-depth consultation process. It also was a reference to the fact that we have 66 million pounds to find over three years, and I think we all appreciate how difficult that is going to be.”
Amid an ‘unprecedented level’ of financial uncertainty for County Hall’s next budget, officers have said the council must continue to exercise restraint and manage its costs carefully.
The local authority continues to face significant financial challenges, including reliance on exceptional financial support (EFS) – described by the Institute for Government as one of the key sources of funding for financially distressed local authorities.
An original recommendation not to carry out consultation on changes to LCTS for 2027/28 and during the period when the Isle of Wight Council requires EFS was tweaked via an accepted proposal by All for Islanders group leader, Cllr Chris Jarman.
He proposed the part relating to EFS be removed.
The Totland and Colwell representative said:
“I have some concern about this issue – during the period where Isle of Wight Council remains under EFS.
“My concern is if we give it an indefinite end and leave it open, the circumstances are very dynamic at the moment, and we’ve heard from the 151 officer (chief financial officer) just how dynamic they are.
“It would be presumptive of us to overstep into the future with an expectation that whatever happens, this condition will continue.”
