By Press Release
Arriving at some sort of consensus in the construction of the Isle of Wight Council’s proposed budget has been one of the most difficult things I have been involved with for many years. The decisions we make directly impact the lives of our Island people. In this, the 13th consecutive year of detrimental government budget-saving requirements, which now total £93 million of cuts to our council, the impacts have reached a critical point.
Saving the Cross Solent Patient Transport Scheme from being completely cut has been an emotional roller-coaster, as we have had to balance this against many other council pressures. Many services we hold valuable have their heads on the chopping block with the axe waving perilously high. I refused to cross my red line – to totally cut this life-enabling funding – but the axe is falling. The Cross Solent Patient Transport scheme is safe for now, but we are required to follow this hideous budget-saving process again next year.
We were elected to do our best for the Island people and make the difficult calls where necessary. The time for this has sadly arrived. If we want to remain in control of our own Island destiny, we must make these savings or risk losing control to others on the mainland. This fate has already fallen on our Island hospital services, moving some healthcare away and impacting our lives.
I assure you, our Island will come through this difficult time and rebuild. We must consolidate our efforts now to protect our future governance and way of life.
The Stroke Association has provided valuable support and it is with a very heavy heart that we can no longer find the funds to continue this service. However, we will continue to try to find a funding solution.
We have been assured that the Island’s Stroke Support Group will continue to offer support, along with important organisations such as Carers Isle of Wight and others. The Stroke Association provides emotional support, not medical care, which is the responsibility of our NHS and this will continue. The Stroke Association has many millions of its own national reserves and after we have supported them for many years, one would hope they would seek to support our Island people in our time of need. We can only hope for their compassion, as my service manager continues to communicate with them.