Lib Dems Call For Parking Charge Rises To Be Scrapped In Budget Amendment

Proposed increases to parking charges – and plans to introduce fees on additional streets – should be abandoned, according to the Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats.

The group has tabled a budget amendment urging the council to rethink the changes, arguing higher parking costs could deter shoppers and add further strain to already fragile town centres.

It follows a growing backlash over the proposals, including an online petition which has attracted almost 3,600 signatures, as well as criticism from councillors across the political spectrum at County Hall.

The council’s draft budget – described by officers as the “most challenging” in a decade – comes as the authority faces a £20 million structural deficit in 2026/27.

Parking changes form part of a wider package of proposed savings totalling £6.3 million, with a budget report highlighting the council’s “financial distress”.

As well as scrapping the parking increases, the Liberal Democrat amendment calls for the withdrawal of a new charge for under-19s using the Floating Bridge, the retention of the Duke of Edinburgh support service for young people, and a reversal of plans to close Newport Roman Villa to the public.

The group also wants any staffing reductions to be limited to redeployment and voluntary or mutually agreed arrangements linked to service transformation.

With government requiring councils to press ahead with transformation plans, the Liberal Democrats are proposing the creation of a Transformation Board.

The board would bring together expertise from across the Island, including representatives from finance, business, public services and the voluntary sector.

Suggested priorities for the board include tackling poverty, strengthening community resilience, improving mental health and wellbeing, building stronger partnerships with voluntary and not-for-profit organisations, using technology to ease staff workload pressures, and boosting economic development.

Liberal Democrat group leader, Councillor Andrew Garratt, said the council’s financial difficulties were not of its own making, pointing to years of government funding reductions and the impact of the current funding formula.

He said the amendment aims to steer the authority away from the risk of issuing a Section 114 notice – effectively declaring it cannot balance its books.

Councils that have taken that step have been forced to make significant service cuts.

Councillor Garratt said the group hopes its proposals can form the basis of cross-party agreement to stabilise the council’s finances over the coming year.

He added the Liberal Democrats would continue to press for what they describe as “fair funding” in recognition of the Island’s unique position.

The council’s budget report states that while savings proposals align with its Corporate Plan and Medium-Term Financial Strategy, the scale of required cuts is being driven by financial pressures and the need to seek “in principle” approval from government for Exceptional Financial Support.

Exceptional Financial Support allows financially distressed councils to use capital budgets, borrowing or asset sales to support day-to-day spending.

Meanwhile, Independent Socialist councillor Geoff Brodie has submitted a separate amendment proposing the introduction or extension of one hour of free on-street parking across all Isle of Wight towns.

Full council will meet to consider the budget tomorrow evening (Wednesday) at 6pm.