Increased investment in public toilets, decorative lighting and the public realm are key features of Shanklin Town Council’s Budget for 2017-18, which sees the maintenance of key community activities without any increase in the precept.
The Town Council are to fund an Enforcement Officer to address fly-tipping and dog fouling issues in the town, as well as funding school crossing patrols at St Blasius and supporting beach safety, the annual regatta and carnivals, Shanklin band concerts, the community library, the war memorial, hanging baskets and floral initiatives, as well as other community investments.
Mayor Jon Gilbey said:
“Our public meetings in 2016 highlighted support to upgrade Tower Cottage and Falcon Cross Toilets (this should hopefully be completed before the Summer season) and to continue to invest in the public realm – hence future funding of decorative lights, grass cutting, the town clock project and seaside projects”.
Cllr Richard Priest added:
“Residents have set the priorities and we have worked to secure the investment – including attracting matched funding for the memorial, library, pier apron and Rylstone projects.
“We will work with partners such as Southern Vectis, Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council to maximise the benefit of projects in Shanklin”.
Mayor Gilbey concluded:
“Shanklin has 3 part-time staff and our community supports a theatre, library, band concerts, youth services, CCTV, beach safety, tourist information, carnivals, regattas and Christmas festivals, as well as giving help to many voluntary organisations within the town.
“Due to the hands on management of all our current contracts, our precept continues to provide, in my opinion, good value for money, especially when compared to other towns across the Island. This is highlighted by a zero increase to our residents this year.
“We will continue to strive to improve the quality of what we do within the resources that we have”.
