Your Money, Your Community, Your CallShaping Sandown's 2027/2028 Budget Together Survey

A town budget is about more than paying for individual services. It is one of the ways we look after Sandown, support community life and invest in the town’s future.

We want residents to help decide what matters most. This consultation asks where you think the council should focus its resources, what should be protected and improved, and where different choices could be made. There is not enough money to do everything at once, so priorities are necessary. By taking part, you can help us make those choices openly and build a budget that reflects the needs, ambitions and wellbeing of the town.

1.Your Overall Priorities
Which of the following is most important to you? (You can select more than one)(Required.)

2.Regeneration and Town Improvement
The council has a budget for smaller town improvements. During 2025/26, this funding has been used to match-fund a grant for a water refill station, support repairs to the viewing platform above the Southern Water pumping station, the Eastern Gardens viewing platform murals and heritage signage, fencing banners at the savoy site, the Big Top and a community phone box library. Money not spent is carried forward.

What would you do? What level of funding should the council provide for projects supporting the Bay Place Plan and the regeneration of Sandown?

£25,000

£35,000 — maintain the current level

£30,000

Other (please specify)

3.Eyesores and neglected sites
If a derelict or neglected site is harming the appearance of the town, if the council can act which is not always the case, what should the council do? (You can select more than one)(Required.)

Fund improvements where there would be a clear public benefit

Offer grants or loans to owners, with conditions attached

Fund improvements only when the owner or another partner also contributes

Use available enforcement powers to require the owner to act

Consider buying or taking control of strategically important sites

Avoid spending public money on privately owned property

Consider each site individually

Something else:

4.Eyesores and neglected sites
If an opportunity arose for the council to take control of a derelict or underused site, what would you do? (You can select more than one)(Required.)

Acquire it and bring it back into productive use

Work with developers or other partners to improve it

Support a community organisation to take it over

Act only where external funding is available

Avoid taking ownership because of the financial risk

Consider each opportunity individually

Something else:

5.Eyesores and neglected sites
If such a site were improved, what should it be used for? (You can select more than one)(Required.)

Something else:

6.The Beach
The beach is one of the town's greatest assets. The local beach safety service has completed its fourth successful season, and the council has supported the inshore lifeboat and the installation of safety buoys in the bay. A Changing Places facility, alongside our other toilets is available, together with accessible beach matting during the summer.

What would you do? Which of the following are important to you? (You can select more than one)(Required.)

Maintain beach safety measures, including support for the beach safety service

Secure the Blue Flag or Seaside Award, which depends partly on maintaining beach safety

Provide a seasonal beach activity programme

Maintain and improve accessible beach facilities

Improve beach cleanliness and general maintenance

Prioritise other council services instead

Something else:

7.Cleaning up Sandown
Litter, dog fouling, graffiti and similar problems have a negative effect on the town and its residents. Sandown Town Council does not have the power to deal with these issues directly, but it can contribute funding towards services provided by the Isle of Wight Council to increase the resource dedicated to Sandown.

What would you do? Which of the following do you think help improve the town? (You can select more than one)(Required.)

More litter bins on the Esplanade from April to September

Planning Enforcement

Additional Environmental Officer time

Additional work to tidy the area around Canoe Lake

None of the above; prioritise other services

Something else:

8.Civic spaces
The council funds the planting and watering of hanging baskets on the High Street and supports Sandown Green Towns Volunteers. It also contributes towards the Isle of Wight Council's maintenance of Ferncliff Gardens and the Cliff Path hedges.

Which of the following do you think help improve the town? (You can select more than one)(Required.)

Acquire space for community use.

Hanging baskets, planters and other decoration

Sandown Green Towns Volunteers

Maintenance of Ferncliff Gardens and the Cliff Path hedges

None of the above; prioritise other services

Something else:

9.Civic spaces
Public art can improve neglected spaces, strengthen community identity and encourage people to visit and spend time in the town.

Which of the following do you think could help improve the town? (You can select more than one)(Required.)

A micro-sculpture trail

A mural fund

Both projects

Neither project; prioritise other services

Something else

10.Parks and open spaces
Parks and open spaces provide places for recreation, play, exercise, wildlife and community activity.

Which of the following do you think are important? (You can select more than one)(Required.)

Cleanliness and basic maintenance

Children's play facilities

Sports and physical activity

Wildlife, planting and natural spaces

Seating, paths and accessibility

Something else:

11.Community events
Council grants can help local organisations support residents, improve the town and attract additional funding.

Which of the following do you think the Council should be involved in? (You can select more than one)(Required.)

Armistice Day commemorations

Remembrance Sunday service

Shop-window competitions

Christmas Funday

Pop-up summer events programme

Carnival and Regatta

Celebration projects with local schools, such as jubilee mug-design or Christmas window competitions

The council should not fund community events

Other event or activity:

12.Community support and grants
Clear and accessible communication helps residents understand council decisions, find services and take part in local democracy.

If the council could improve aspects of its communication, what would you choose? (You can select more than one)(Required.)

Advice and advocacy services

Groups supporting vulnerable residents

Activities for children and young people

Projects that reduce loneliness and isolation

Town-improvement and environmental projects, such as Green Towns

Smaller community-led projects and local groups

Projects that can attract additional outside funding

Something else:

13.Communication
Clear and accessible communication helps residents understand council decisions, find services and take part in local democracy.

If the council could improve one aspect of its communication, what would you choose?(Required.)

Explain decisions and spending more clearly

Provide more frequent local updates

Make it easier to report problems

Respond more quickly to questions

Provide more printed information for residents who are not online

Something else:

14.Having thought about Sandown’s budget as a whole, what are the most important things you would like the Town Council to achieve next year?

15.Is there anything you think the council should be doing differently?