FIVE thousand more jobs, 3,000 more Band D homes and a £107.50 increase in the weekly wage could be on the cards within ten years — if the Isle of Wight Council's latest plan pays off.
Having taken control of County Hall from the Island Independents at the May election, the Conservatives have unveiled their 'vision and aspirations' for the Island.
A new corporate plan, an overarching strategy for making the Island 'an inspiring place in which to grow up, work, live and visit,' was approved by the council cabinet on Thursday.
Its targets, over the next three or ten years, include delivering economic growth, improving education standards, protecting the environment and supporting vulnerable people.
Council leader Cllr Dave Stewart said the Tories had a mandate for the plan, which would 'help communities to help themselves' and 'ensure everyone has an opportunity to live the lives they want in a safe, independent manner, where they have the tools and skills to take responsibility for their own quality of life.' 
It includes significantly reducing the number of admissions to residential care homes, by placing elderly people in 'extra care' independent living schemes, and reducing the number of children looked after by the local authority, the number of people on the housing register and the number of households in temporary accommodation. 
The corporate plan follows hot on the heels of a regeneration strategy — itself set to deliver £15 million in additional council tax income and business rates, 12,000 jobs and 1,200 new homes over the next ten years through the regeneration of sites including Newport Harbour, the former Camp Hill Prison, Ryde Interchange and Esplanade — and plans to invest £100 million in the commercial property market. 
It will go to full council for approval tomorrow (Wednesday).