Each year the Council must set a balanced budget, which sets out its spending and investment plans and how its services will be funded. The budget must also take account of new cost pressures as well as making sure all its services are as efficient as possible.

The Council’s budget setting process is happening now, and residents’ views are vital ahead of key decisions being taken.

The costs provided in the questions are estimated on annual costs for a Band D property. Every £1,000 budgeted is approximately £0.41p of the Sandown Town Council portion of council tax per household.

The draft budget will be presented to the meeting of the Town Council on Monday, 18 November 2024. The budget will be finalised at the meeting of the Town Council on Monday, 10 February 2025.

The Council serves your community so be sure to have your say.

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* 1. COUNCIL'S PRIORITIES
Every year the council needs to prioritise the provisions, services, and activities it provides. How do you think the council should prioritise these?

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* 2. COMMUNICATION
The council thinks about how it communicates with residents on an ongoing basis. There are costs and staffing implications to increasing communication beyond the website, basic Facebook page and editorial contribution to the Sandown Guide. Do you think the council should increase its communications budget and staffing to support communication?

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* 3. WARM SPACES AND COMMUNITY WELLBEING INITIATIVES.
The reduction of Government support with Fuel Costs will significantly impact on the residents of Sandown. Warm spaces have also served to reduce isolation within the community and are now run all year.

The local Warm Space is currently funded via Grant Funding from Connect for Communities and is not Guaranteed. Do you support the Council budgeting to build a fund to support the Sandown Warm Space should the Grant be withdrawn?

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* 4. PLANNING.
Planning is a statutory function and therefore not in the Town Council’s gift. In 2024/25 the Town Council contributes towards additional resource in Sandown leading to four times more enforcement activity. Would you support additional funding for this statutory function?

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* 5. BEACH.
The beach is a key feature in the town. The local beach safety service had its third successful season this year and the council has supported the inshore lifeboat and buoys in the bay. This years season also saw the opening of a Changing Places Facility and installation of accessible matting on the beach. Do you believe funding should be allocated to the beach for:

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* 6. LITTER AND DOG FOULING.
Litter is an issue across the Island. Do think the Town Council should fund additional litter bins on the Esplanade and at Yaverland and consider funding additional Environment Officer hours to tackle dog fouling, graffiti and other issues?

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* 7. CIVIC SPACE.
The council has funded the planting and watering of the hanging baskets on the highstreets and supports Sandown Green Towns Volunteers. The Council also contributes towards the Isle of Wight Council’s maintenance of Ferncliff Gardens and the Cliff Path hedges. Do you support the council continuing to fund:

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* 8. SANDHAM GROUNDS.
Sandown Town Council provides and maintains the equipment in Sandham Grounds. To ensure the continued provision of the Multi Use Games Area, Rainbow Park and Skate Park it is important the council budgets for ongoing maintenance and builds reserves to replace equipment and secure match funding where possible. Would you support funding:

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* 9. PLACE AND TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.
The Council has a budget for town improvements which it uses to install and maintain defibrillators, supporting “in bloom” and community activities and projects (such as repainting the railings) as well as delivering projects supporting the Bay Place Plan and regeneration. If the monies are not spent, they are allocated to Civic Space budget lines or carried forward into the next year. What do you think would be an appropriate level of funding for Sandown Town Council to budget for these types of activities?

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* 10. YOUTH OFFER.
The council included £15,000 funding to support provision in last year’s budget. Using those monies as match funding the local resilience officer was able to secure grants to deliver several outreach programmes to young people in Sandown and work with the police. Sandown has seen a reduction in Youth Anti-Social Behaviour because of the youth offer. Do you support increased funding for youth provision within the town?

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* 11. YOUTH OFFER (CAPITAL).
Do you support Council allocating funding to support Capital Costs (equipment and physical assets) to support the Bay Youth Project?

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* 12. SOLAR PANELS.
Council is considering the installation of Solar Panels at the Broadway Centre. It is estimated it will cost £15,000 (£6.09 per household). Do you support this project?

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* 13. EVENTS.
Community events help bring members of a community closer together and enhance mental well-being. They also help establish a towns identity and boost the local economy. Which of the following do you think the town council should support:

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* 14. PUBLIC TOILETS.
The toilets at Eastern Gardens and St John’s have been replaced with new facilities. The council has budgeted to replace the facilities at Yaverland with work on the project beginning shortly. A Public Works loan will be needed to undertake these works. Do you support the following for all the Council’s public toilets facilities:

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* 15. PIER STREET TOILETS.
The Town Council is not responsible for the provision of toilets at Pier Street. These are currently owned by the Isle of Wight Council and are being sold for development. Do you think the Town Council should fund the new toilets with support from the Isle of Wight Council?

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* 16. PIER STREET TOILETS CONTINUED.
If you think the Council should Fund the new toilets with support from the Isle of Wight Council, budgeting for new facilities will increase the precept. Would you support the council applying for a loan to spread the cost of the toilets across a number of years to minimise the increase?

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* 17. COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS.
The town council would welcome any other ideas or suggestions you may have:

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