Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council has agreed on a precept increase for 2024-25 of 5.1% – and has confirmed that it will be pulling out of the 1-hour free parking scheme pilot. The increased budget, described as a ‘steady state budget’ by finance lead Councillor Geoff Brodie, largely takes into account inflationary pressures on the main services provided by the community council and its members of staff. The Council will continue to fund the 4 toilet blocks in the parish, the maintenance of 4 recreation grounds, subsidies for the 7 allotments, all school crossing patrols, the Route 39 bus service in east Newport, an environment officer, many of the area’s litter and dog waste bins and support for planning enforcement. In addition, Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council will:
- increase support for voluntary youth services in the parish
- provide a Xmas Fayre (weather permitting)
- arrange a ‘D-Day 80’ Event at Victoria Rec in June
- continue support for the IW Children’s Story Festival
- provide £10,000 start-up funding for a central Food Waste Hub at the Newport Food Pantry
- continue to support the Newport Heritage Group, whose displays have enlivened the Council’s 64 High St premises
- seek to improve play facilities across the parish
However, the Community Council will no longer be able to part-fund the 1-hour free parking pilot, as the Isle of Wight Council will not be providing the necessary match-funding. This means it seems likely the scheme will simply stop – another blow for Newport businesses. Councillor Andrew Garratt, Chair of the Community Council, has said:
“This budget will mean that Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council households will continue to provide services and facilities that residents tell us are needed across our parish and be able to take up a number of new ideas suggested by councillors, staff and our community.
Article continues below this advertisement “We had the pressure of the ongoing cost of living crisis on residents very much in mind. After last year’s ‘freeze’ our precept increase is broadly in line with inflation and the likely increase in the Isle of Wight Council’s Council Tax.
“It was very pleasing that after a lengthy debate all councillors were unanimous in supporting the proposals in the final vote. We look forward to delivering on them in the coming year.”
Back to parking at the Supermarkets then
Yeah, be one of those bells.
Yes it’s very shortsighted
I bet they can’t wait to pay the extra money and get no extra value for it.
floating turd needs to be paid for..
A shame about the parking, just means fewer trips to Newport, but it’s still a far better level of services than Ryde offers for nearly double the precept increase.
What a load of lies, but then what do you expect.
Why is there a newport and carisbrooke community council, it costs more to run than it benefits residents, just another level of bureaurcracy, I suppose it keeps people in a meningless job.
Rise to pay for the pointless community council…
Why are we subsidising a bus route?
Total waste of money
How can it be 5.1 %when the max limit is 5%..can someone please explain to me.also when has it EVER been less than the 5% so whats the point in publishing it, it always is the maximum..
The 5% limit is on the base council tax levied by IWCC.
Local town councils can (and regularly do) increase their precepts by as much as they want. (Unless it’s a local election year, of course)
How are these councils serving the public by withdrawing a successful parking pilot?
Bunch of …
“…no longer be able to part-fund the 1-hour free parking pilot”
I
Short sighted idiots.