The Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats are pushing for a budget amendment to prioritise replenishing a fund the group says ‘can help reduce Island poverty’.
Ahead of a vote on the Alliance administration’s proposed 2025/26 budget, the opposition group has called for the Community Capacity and Resilience Fund to be prioritised ‘whenever finances allow’.
Councillors will be able to have their say on the budget proposals at a full council meeting at County Hall on this evening (Wednesday).
Leader of the Liberal Democrat group Councillor Andrew Garratt said:
“The Lib Dem group welcomed the setting up of this fund by the Alliance administration in last year’s budget.
“We believe keeping this fund topped up can particularly help the council deliver on the recently adopted Poverty Reduction Strategy.
“That is why we want the council to give the fund priority whenever finances allow, such as any underspend on the previous year’s budget.”
Fellow Liberal Democrat Councillor Michael Lilley said an ‘ongoing fund’ could ‘help set up’ projects modelled on organisations like East Newport’s Pan Together community hub and West Wight Sports and Community Centre in Freshwater.
The fund and projects would support the Island’s ‘most deprived geographical areas’ and ‘disadvantaged communities’ including ‘victims of domestic abuse and those experiencing mental health issues’.
Budget plans include a 4.99 per cent council tax increase, £1.5 million in savings, an £11.1 million increase in adult social care spending, £4.7 million extra for children’s services and new capital investment worth £13 million.
Defending the proposals, council leader Phil Jordan said previously:
“Despite the challenging financial climate, our commitment to protecting and improving our community remains steadfast.
“We are dedicated to ensuring our community continues to thrive, even in the face of economic pressures.
“The council continues to advocate for fair funding for the Island from the government.
“By maximising spend from minimal funding, keeping charges down, investing in capital schemes, balancing the budget responsibly, using reserves wisely, and re-structuring where possible, we are working hard to minimise any adverse impacts on our residents.
“This draft budget is about balancing our financial responsibilities with the needs of our community, and I believe it strikes that balance effectively.”
Never going to happen.
Liberals were finished when Clegg went
hand in hand with Cameron.
Therefore we have had 14 years of Conservatives who
failed us.
We are now suffering an incompetent
Labour Government who have done more
damage to the country in 7 months than the
Conservatives done in their 14 years of destruction.
That leaves us with Reform, the party of
thugs / r acists.
Hence my voting days are over!
There are no good politicians in the country
worth walking to the polls for!!