Sandown Town Council Agrees 2026–27 Budget With Investment In Youth Services And Community Facilities

Sandown Town Council has unanimously approved its budget for 2026–27 at a meeting of Full Council this evening, setting out continued support for essential services, youth provision and community groups, alongside major investment in local facilities.

The agreed budget sets the precept at £263.97 for a Band D property, an increase of £23.50 a year, equivalent to 45 pence a week.

Mayor Alex Lightfoot said local councils are under increasing pressure as inflation continues to drive up costs, warning that setting a budget below inflation would inevitably lead to cuts in local help and support.

He said the council was elected to deliver positive change, while carefully balancing the impact of any increase in precept against pressures on residents and businesses.

The council says its policy of maintaining ring-fenced reserves for community assets has already shown its value.

Over the past year, this approach helped secure an additional £250,000 in grant funding, contributing to the delivery of the new 2G football pitch at Sandham Gardens.

The pitch is currently in a soft launch phase and is expected to be fully available for booking in February.

Sandown Town Council is now moving on to its next major capital investment – the regeneration of the town skatepark.

Significant funding is already in place, with public consultation expected to begin around Easter.

New designs are planned for a larger and improved skatepark, building on its popularity with residents.

Youth services are a key focus of the new budget. In January, the council supported the opening of LINK, the new Youth Centre at the former Town Hall on Grafton Street.

This complements recent investment in sports facilities at Sandham Grounds and wider youth services, with increased funding for organised activities, events, community outreach and joint work with partner agencies.

The council is also aiming to maximise the value of the local precept by securing additional external funding.

Plans include commissioning a specialist fundraiser to develop the International School of Rewilding project, and a community resilience bid writer in partnership with Community Action, to support Sandown organisations and projects in accessing further financial support.

Continued funding will be provided to a wide range of local organisations and initiatives, including Breakfast in the Bay, the Warm Space at Christchurch, Green Town Volunteers, Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat, and the Christmas Fun Day.

The council has also increased its contribution to the Sandown Carnival Association, citing growing financial challenges and uncertainty linked to proposed development at the Southern Water treatment plant.

Partnership working with the Isle of Wight Council is set to expand further.

The budget includes continued part-funding of an environment officer and planning enforcement, as well as joint funding with Lake Parish Council and Shanklin Town Council to ensure the continuity of the Bay Regeneration Officer, who played a key role in securing £3.1 million for the restoration of the old Town Hall.

Sandown Town Council has also agreed to part-fund a Community Safety Officer, subject to support from other town councils.

One significant change for the coming year is the decision to make public toilets free of charge.

Following trial runs during summer 2025, toilets will be free for the year, with the scheme reviewed ahead of the 2027 budget.

New initiatives include match-funding local resident investment in a proposed Community Benefit Society, funding for new town murals following the positive response to the Mary Ellis mural at Eastern Gardens, and £2,500 to explore small events or performances along the seafront during the summer.

The council will also continue funding its core services, including marker buoys in the bay, additional seafront bins during the summer season, lifeguard services, beach wheelchairs, the Changing Places facility at Eastern Gardens, hanging baskets in the High Street, park and playground maintenance, and Christmas and Remembrance events.

Finally, following a petition and requests from parents and residents, Sandown Town Council has made provision to part-fund a school crossing patrol on Broadway, with discussions now set to take place with the school and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to progress the scheme as a priority.