Hopes of reducing Sandown Town Council’s ‘eyewatering’ precept increase have been scrapped.
Following a meeting last month, Sandown residents are in for a 49.9% town council tax precept rise — which would see bills increase an average of £72.70 a year.
Sandown Town Councillors, Debbie Andre and Emily Brothers, believed the decision was never given formal consent at the meeting and the council had followed an incorrect process — although other members disputed that.
An extraordinary meeting of the town council was called to meet in 2 weeks’ time, with the support of councillors Sue Betts and Heather Humby, to determine the budget with a new vote.
In a joint statement from Councillors Andre and Brothers, released yesterday, they announced the meeting has now been cancelled as Councillor Betts had withdrawn her support which meant the budget could not be reconsidered.
Posting on her Facebook page, Councillor Betts said she had done a thorough investigation of policies, procedures, standing orders and taken advice and was satisfied there was no need to take the matter further.
Councillors Andre and Brothers said their intention was to try to reduce the amount residents paid, to as little as possible, instead of the near 50% rise. They said:
“We are extremely disappointed our fellow Sandown Town Councillors have countenanced such a financial burden on residents.
Article continues below this advertisement “This includes a £500,000 loan for two toilet blocks, one Sandown Town Council doesn’t even own, whilst there is a surplus of over £200,000 in the bank.”
Both councillors said they will continue to lobby for ‘good governance and responsible budgets’ as the cost of living crisis continues.
Band D households will now pay £218.40 a year towards Sandown Town Council, on top of fees for the Isle of Wight Council, police and fire services. Last year Band D ratepayers paid £145.70 towards the town council.
Residents living in neighbouring Shanklin will pay less towards Shanklin’s precept this year, it has been revealed.
Perhaps insufficient due diligence might be grounds for a budget revisit councillors.
You never know, Sandown residents might not be able to afford it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But as long as they can take a leak it’s ok eh councillors.
That’ll be the council whacking another nail into Sandown’s coffin.
Used to be a resident of Sandown, only moved for family reasons, but, it breaks my heart to see the state of the Town and it is obvious how efficient the Town Council are,just look at it
COUNCIL TAX PRECEPT whoooooooooooooooooo
well when you live in a beautifull clean crime free place like sandown what do you expet..
Of coarse it’s been scrapped, they aren’t going to turn down an oppertunity to make themselves thousands for their money pot are they? and blow it all on a money wasting project of their own which is of no advantage to any of us.
Money grabbing bastards!
That increase is outrageous however £218 for band D is not bad compared to St Helens which is much more no consolation I know How many.town councillors are on the IOW council in Sandown? I find at St Helens where we have two IOW councillors on the PC they use their influence to push things through to the benefit of the IOW council. They deny having conflicts of interest when actually they do. I was just wondering if this happens at Sandown.
Rather pay council tax,sandown is in such a state now that we should film the town to adverts abroad asking for £3 amonth donations
It’s about time something was done 21 shops etc closed in a small area I lived an grew up in sandown it a bloody waste I know some people say it’s ok but 20 years ago sandown had everything more