Save our Services!
The Isle of Wight faces unprecedented cuts to public services and amenities. A £9 million reduction in Government grants has doubled into an almost £18 million Council public spending cut.
Why?
Because the Isle of Wight Council have mismanaged our money and continue to waste it by the millions.
A few years ago we had more than £36 million surplus in the bank. Most of that is now gone or 'earmarked' for projects such as the massively expensive roads PFI scheme.
£11 million has been used to cover budget over-spending and over £9 million on consultants' fees. Millions have also been squandered on failed projects such as Undercliff Drive and Ryde Gateway, with nothing to show for it.
The Council now want Town and Parish Councils to impose stealth taxes to keep open essential services such as public conveniences and libraries. You will be expected to pay more Council Tax for fewer services. Is that fair?
The leader of the Council has described our libraries as "A luxury we can no longer afford". Yet at the same time they are still paying consultants millions of pounds a year. Is that fair?
As with the national spending cuts, the least well-off are expected to suffer because of the mistakes of others, who continue to be paid massively high salaries whilst hundreds of people lose their jobs and our public services are decimated. Is that fair?
At Risk
- 9 out of 11 Libraries set to close
- Tourist Information Centres
- Beach Lifeguards
- Wightbus
- Ryde Waterside Pool
- Connexions and Support for Schools
- Public Conveniences
- Youth Centres
- Support Services for the Elderly & Disabled
- Women's Refuge
- Parks and Gardens
- Westminster House
- Privatisation of Ventnor Botanical Gardens, Winter Gardens, Dinosaur Isle & Roman Villa
And this is just the start.
Take Action!
Together we can make a difference.
People are joining us in ever-increasing numbers as they realise the unfairness and severity of the cuts. We must act now to preserve our essential services.
