A REPORT into the Isle of Wight Council’s handling of the coronavirus crisis will be considered by members of the Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 9 June.

The local authority is predicting a shortfall of £9.8 million, due to lost rent, use of leisure centres and car parking charges.

That figure is despite emergency government funding totalling £9 million. 

Read the report in full here.

"Our rapid and very thorough ability to work with and support the community and help vulnerable residents has been impressive"

- Council Leader Dave Stewart

The report, published today (Monday) and due to be discussed next week, outlines the ways in which the council intends to make sure it can continue to provide services.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Isle of Wight Council Leader Dave Stewart

Council Leader Dave Stewart said: "I have already raised the council’s financial position in a recent meeting with the Minister for Local Government. Our track record of responsible strong financial management has meant that today we are in a far better position to weather this storm than we would have been in the past.”

Options include placing previously approved spending plans on hold.

County Hall says it has not yet needed to dip into its emergency reserves, due to what it calls the ‘prudent and robust approach to the management of finance in recent years’.

As well making millions of pounds in service cuts, the local authority has invested in a number of schemes, including in property.

The report praises the council’s “strong and constructive relationships” with the community, local businesses, care providers and voluntary organisations as part of a “Herculean” response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Council leader Stewart said: “I am impressed and grateful to see the huge amount of work that has been taking place across this council in the last few months; alongside our partners in the NHS, the voluntary organisations, independent care sector and beyond.

“We moved quickly and decisively as soon as we knew what was required. Our rapid and very thorough ability to work with and support the community and help vulnerable residents has been impressive; including immediate action to get financial assistance to local community hubs to support their most vulnerable locals, and providing lifeline support funding to essential not-for-profit organisations.

"The council secured its own stock of PPE at the start of the crisis which put us in a good place to operate right from the beginning. 

"I want to thank everyone for the sacrifices and efforts you have made."

- Council Leader Dave Stewart

“We also housed all rough sleepers within 48 hours, redeployed 200 of our staff into essential roles, made over 12,000 phone calls to vulnerable residents, and we have been fielding an average of more than 100 calls to the Island-wide helpline every day.


"Our overall objective has been and continues to be to keep people safe — and this will continue to guide our decision making going forward.

“I want to thank everyone across the Island for the sacrifices and efforts you have made to support and protect our Island community during the crisis so far”.