Conservatives Unveil Budget Amendment Ahead Of Full Council Meeting

The Conservative Group has put forward a budget amendment ahead of tonight’s Full Council meeting, saying it is aimed at improving how the Isle of Wight Council operates and easing pressure on the Island’s economy.

Councillor Ed Blake said the authority “needs to do better in serving the Island” and described the amendment as a first step towards transforming the way the council functions.

Among the key proposals are the scrapping of planned increases in parking charges and the removal of proposals to expand paid parking into more High Streets.

The group is also calling for a freeze on Saver Card rates, no charges for under-19s using the Floating Bridge, and the preservation of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme on the Island.

The amendment also proposes removing evening charges in Long Stay car parks after 6pm and reducing the cost of the Tourist Parking Permit scheme.

Councillor Chris Quirk, the Conservative Finance Lead, said axing evening charges in Long Stay car parks would provide a boost to the Island’s night-time economy.

He said the hospitality sector had been particularly hard hit in recent budgets and argued the move would offer support to a significant part of the local economy.

He also claimed income from Tourist Parking Permits has fallen sharply since the last price rise, saying permits no longer represent value for money and have become too expensive for visitors.

In addition, the amendment includes proposals to add to the council’s Transformational Reserves.

The Conservatives say this would allow the authority to overhaul how services are delivered in a bid to improve efficiency and offer better value to council taxpayers.

Councillor Ian Ward said there were no further cuts to be made and that the focus must instead be on changing the council’s business models.

He pointed to the high cost of delivering Adult Social Care and Children’s Services, adding that the authority must build greater resilience for the future.

The full amendment is expected to be published on the council’s website.