Budget plans approved

By Richard Wright

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

 

PLANS to spend more in crisis and priority areas, make savings of £7 million and freeze council tax for the third year running were agreed by the Isle of Wight Council tonight (Wednesday).

The budget, produced by the ruling Conservative group, means the Isle of Wight Council’s proportion of the tax, by far the biggest component, will not increase.

The police precept and individual parish and town council rises must still be added however, which could lead to an increase for households.

Savings of £7 million — including cash saved by ditching the post of chief executive —  have led to union predictions of compulsory job losses at County Hall.

An extra £475,000, including cash from the NHS, will be pumped into child protection, while another £8.7 million will be invested in adult social care over the next three years.

The budget was approved by 23 votes for, 12 against and one abstention.

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by kevin froment

28th February 2013, at 18:25:09

and they still paid him the full amount, he should hide his head in shame, lets hope he cant find work anywhere else

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by Mr Justice

28th February 2013, at 15:43:56

Remember these idiots happily paid an education expert more than the Prime Minister earns to fix our schools. he didn't.

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by geoffrey clynch

28th February 2013, at 13:48:43

£7 million savings, does that figure sound familiar to anyone?

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by Mrs James

28th February 2013, at 09:49:19

Interesting... Worth clicking on the Budget Link here to see just what it says... ;) Im thinking the usual Lip Service and box ticking...

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by Kim Harding

28th February 2013, at 09:37:57

'Investment' means one thing. Big fat lie!

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by Mr Justice

28th February 2013, at 07:10:22

The money 'invested' in Children's Services is the price of the IOW council's failure. The extra is probably going direct to Hampshire CC now they are in charge. I doubt Island children are getting anything.

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by Valerie Ching

28th February 2013, at 06:47:02

Curious how the word investment in things has become common parlance when more accurately would be spent. I first saw this on a placard outside the hospital some years ago which bragged "name of contractor investing in the future of your NHS. A gas company has a similar slogan. When its a council or government this should really read taxpayers money being spent on such and such. As far as councillors being elected in May, the room for manoevre on budgets now is so squeezed, I personally would be surprised if anyone puts up for these poisoned chalice posts in May.

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by Colin Russell

27th February 2013, at 21:52:55

With pay freeze and Council tax freeze, nothing is said if the councillors taking a pay/expenses freeze, or do they just keep on taking and everybody else suffers, roll on May.

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by Kevin Barclay-Jay

27th February 2013, at 20:29:31

23 Tories voted for...will there still be 23 Tories in power after the May election, or is this the last dictatorial decision this council will make before their majority is destroyed

Any views or opinions presented in the comments above are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the Isle of Wight County Press.