Local councillors have slammed the Conservative government for not providing the Island Deal promised — estimated to bring an extra £6.4million a year to the Isle of Wight.
During the council’s budget meeting on Wednesday night, Cllr Stuart Hutchinson, cabinet member for resources, said the lack of an Island Deal was one of the ‘uncertainties’ that had delayed the previous publishing of the budget.
Cllr Julie Jones-Evans said:
“This budget has been put in front of us with more cuts — we should have a clear message to the government, ‘where is our money?’ All we are asking is that we are on a level playing field as everyone else.”
Cllr Michael Lilley pressed the need for government funding, he said:
“We, one of the poorest parts of the south east, are getting ignored by government and we need to make sure we get a deal.”
Speaking after the meeting Vix Lowthion, the Isle of Wight Green Party spokesperson, said Island MP Bob Seely has been claiming ‘for years’ that he would bring the extra funding in the Island Deal. She said:
“Yet again, this has been shown to be empty promises.
Article continues below this advertisement “Council tax increases and service cuts mean that for another year Islanders will be paying more and getting less.
“Meanwhile, across the water, Hampshire County Council are launching a £1 million pound fund to help fight climate change, which will create jobs, invest in rural areas and secure the county from the threats from flooding and biodiversity loss.
“Islanders are being forced by both the Conservative administration and Boris Johnson’s government to dig deeper into their pockets for another 12 months for no return.
“Remember this at the Council elections in 2021.”
Cllr Stewart said he is confident the Isle of Wight will get its deal as he has been in communication with Number 10, Number 11 and other relevant government ministers. He said:
“We have got to keep the pressure on, get people to deliver on what they said and get what is best for the Island.
“I think we will get there but you have got to fight your corner because a lot of people want money at the moment and we feel we have got a unique case and that is my job to keep that pushing forward.”
Does anyone ever believe what a politician says they all lie along with councillors out to feather there own nest
What do you expect ? The only ones getting a bonus pot are those ‘up north’… You were dangled a big red carrot and fell for it.
You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.
Unless…….there British!
Never mind, I’m sure Bob can have a nice chat with his chum Boris over a glass or two in Whitehall. Then he can come back and tell us how well his Island plan is going, and do absolutely nothing at all. Still, only another 5 years of the same!
That’s unfortunately correct.
The isle of wight council has just been given an extra £8.2 million, plus an additional £849k for schools capital provision regarding SEN.
so, I make that an additional £9,049,000 the island has been given this year. Our councillors are pulling the wool over your eyes by pleading
poverty.
The island deal has been delivered on by the government for this year at least and the first six months of next year also.
I wouldn’t take any notice of these lying councillors who were supposed to provide the lowest bills since 2016 – they are just paying theirselves
extra whilst pleading poverty to us.
Spot on!
Doesn’t matter what government is running the country its our local idiots that waste the money given out!
Only interested in building more houses for scroungers and layabouts because they get paid to take them! How many local families manage to get a house?
And before the bleeding hearts brigade start their bleating
Family of 7 yes 7 moved in up the road all in social housing all on hand outs every kid has something wrong that gets a benefit payment
But they holiday in the USA!
Oh and from the north
The tories lied, as they always do.
Seeing the absolute rage in the comments will only make me vote Tory next election as you all moan you’re poor and struggling….
How much of tax payers money did Julie Hyph get to open her new brewery/bar in Sandown?
Is Vicki still a county councillor or was she voted out?