PEOPLE’S views are being sought over Isle of Wight Council spending priorities — and where £7.5 million savings should be made.
The authority is seeking the opinions of Islanders, organisations it works with, businesses, town and parish councils and the voluntary sector about what their priorities are for next financial year.
Council leader Cllr Jonathan Bacon said: "To achieve these savings, on top of those already made, will be a challenge.
"While we aim to secure public services for the Island, we also recognise to do so we must change the way we approach the council’s funding and financial management. We need to take control of our own destiny, to secure greater financial stability for the Island and the services that we provide.
"Our recently approved regeneration strategy identified the opportunities for us to do that but also shows the scale of the challenge ahead."
He said the council wanted to build on its positive approach but had to manage its spending priorities based around services it had to provide by law. "We aim to be bold in our approach to finding solutions to our financial challenges and we are asking people affected by decisions to take the time to give us their views on what they think are priorities for the Island and what services they feel should continue to receive funding."
Cllr Bacon added: "I would urge everyone to let us know their thoughts via the short online survey."
It can be found at here.
The full council will set the council’s budget and council tax for 2017/18 at its meeting on February 22.
A public meeting will be held on January 16, at Medina Theatre, to discuss the council’s financial position, look at each area of its spending and have a question and answer session.

Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk