Those living in Lake could see the amount they pay towards the Parish Council through their Council Tax bill rise by 90.1% in the next few weeks.
Tonight (Thursday) Lake Parish Council will decide whether to increase the amount it asks from residents by nearly double, from an average of £51.83 a year to £98.50.
To aid its costs, the parish council wants residents to fork out £166,262 — an average increase of 90p per week (£3.89 a month) for a Band D household, compared to 2022/23. Despite the increase, it is still 1 of the cheapest precepts around – especially when compared to neighbouring Sandown where a Band D property will soon be forking out over £200 a year.
The parish council must set its budget for 2023/23 and it is considering new projects — like public toilets on New Road.
To buy the pre-fabricated loos and also to account for some increased costs at the recently installed Lake Cliff Gardens toilets, the council would have to borrow from the Public Works Loan Board. A £250,000 loan over 10 years would be taken out, with potential repayments of £29,973 a year.
There are also plans to fund celebrations for the King’s coronation and the annual Remembrance Sunday commemoration, as well as buoys in The Bay.
However, money for hanging baskets has been cut. Instead, it will be put towards provisions for young people – but they are also facing funding cuts, from £10,000 in 2022/23 to £7,500 in 2023/24. Of that, £5,000 will be allocated to support the community Youth Officer.
Grants, handed out by the parish council to local organisations and causes, have also been reduced.
The precept for Lake residents will be added to what they pay for the Isle of Wight Council, police and fire services. The Isle of Wight Council is yet to set its budget, but it is proposing a 4.99% increase.
Get all to pay something, then the cost would not be so great for those who do pay.
Also those who pay nothing are often the ones whose clones do the most damage and cost us the most. IF they paid something rather than nothing they may ‘think’ a little more about what their feral trash are smashing up. But that is doubtful for it requires thought..
This is the problem why OUR bills have gone up so much, too many free loaders whelking off the backs of the working families. They never pay anything in but are getting everything for free including a home.
Kev where is Bev all dev
As the toilets are mainly for the benefit of visitors, especially those on the cliff, how about the businesses that gain from tourism pay for them rather than those that don’t ever go near them? And why pay for celebrations at a time when people are struggling to heat their homes and eat? A totally inappropriate waste of money. The only things that should be paid for at present are essential things not non-essential things. My council tax bill before the rises is £192 a month, and is going up more a month than my income in actual £ and will account for more than 25% of my monthly income, for what?