ATTEMPTS to shave more than £700,000 off the highways PFI budget failed last year while the Isle of Wight Council plans to increase home care charges for disabled people, prompting criticism from watchdogs.

The council's budget papers reveal efficiencies in the PFI contract, which would have saved £700,700, were not achieved.

Speaking at Tuesday's (13) meeting of the scrutiny committee, local councils representative Cllr June Davison asked why the authority planned to increase home care charges for some of the Island's most vulnerable people while it had failed to reduce PFI project costs.

"People get their allowances for a reason. They are needed. The £700,000 not saved on the PFI. It is paid for by people on benefits," she said.

Speaking after the meeting, transport cabinet member Cllr Ian Ward said it was 'complicated.'

“The complexities of the PFI contract, especially ongoing discussions about the delivery of the contract over the long term, meant the implementation of the savings had to be postponed in year. Ongoing savings of £700,700 were intended in 2017/18 and savings of £525,000 will be delivered in 2018/19," he said.

The committee also raised concerns about plans to cut the youth service grant by £243,000.

Finance cabinet member Cllr Stuart Hutchinson said he was disappointed a public consultation on the budget plans held at the Medina Theatre had only attracted around a dozen people.

BLOB For more on the council's plans to increase home care charges for disabled people, see today's County Press.