NEWPORT and Carisbrooke residents could see their town council tax frozen but no new play equipment as the cost of living impact continues.

Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council's preliminary budget for the next year was unveiled last night (Monday) with plans to invest in a youth initiative and continue regeneration of the former Edinburgh Woollen Mill shop on the High Street.

In the budget-setting process, some tough decisions had to be made including the decision to not put on any events celebrating the coronation of King Charles III.

The council also said it could not afford the proposed £10,000 commitment nor £5,000 for events for a Car-Free Day.

To host the events, it would have to raise the amount it was asking residents for and for each £7,000 the community council adds to its budget, the tax rises by one per cent.

An upgrade for the MUGA at Downside Recreation Ground and play equipment for Parkhurst was also removed from the budget.

Cllr Geoff Brodie said in the current economic climate the council was not looking to increase the precept, so the budget would essentially be frozen.

He said it would be entirely inappropriate to have an expanding budget, which would invest in more areas but increase the council tax.

While it is said to be a frozen budget, councillors agreed it was actually cutting services, which Cllr Julie Jones-Evans said was counterintuitive as people needed the community council more and she wished they could do more.

Funding has been earmarked to continue the free parking hour in three Newport town centre car parks — should the Isle of Wight Council agree to continue the pilot.

If the larger authority does not wish to carry on the parking scheme from May, the money would instead fund a community development officer.

More money has been put towards Newport's Day of Christmas event.

However, the final budgetary decisions will be made at the community council's meeting in February.

Currently, the average Band D taxpayer in the area pays the community council £90.86 a year.

The figure increased last year by 2.5 per cent.