Isle of Wight SEND surge sees EHCP numbers rise despite falling birth rate
Tilly WalderOn the Island, where the number of children overall is falling, the number needing specialist educational support is rising sharply.…
Read MoreIW Council to recruit new finance chief amid £65m deficit fears
Carole DennettThe Isle of Wight Council is seeking approval from the Appointments and Employment Committee (A&EC) to start the formal process…
Read MoreYarmouth appoints tree warden after apple orchard trees cut back without permission
Mal ButlerYarmouth Town Council has appointed a tree warden to stop someone cutting back trees in the ‘Local Heroes Apple Orchard’,…
Read MoreUnfunded asylum costs must be met by council tax payers
The Isle of Wight Council spent more than £2.6 million on adult social care and children’s services for asylum seekers…
Read MoreRoyal Navy experimental ship spotted conducting trials off Ventnor
The south coast of the Isle of Wight served as a backdrop for a glimpse into the future of maritime…
Read MoreGoodOaks Homecare rated good as Pacific Care needs improvement
GoodOaks Homecare, based in Sandown, was found to be good in all areas during a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection…
Read MoreQuarr Abbey roadworks impact: Abbey warns trade hit hard and calls for better planning
Quarr Abbey is planning how to recover from the “severe and escalating” impact of recent roadworks, and is urging Island…
Read MoreMajor Reform UK event for Island supporters
Islanders curious to find out more about the growth of Reform UK are being invited to gather for a high…
Read MoreParties unite to rewrite budget
The most controversial elements of the Isle of Wight Council’s proposed budget were scrapped last night – but councillors of…
Read MoreWildheart seeks 50 fearless fundraisers
To kick off their 50th Anniversary Celebrations, the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary is looking for 50 fearless fundraisers to take on…
Read MoreRoyal Mail delays hit Isle of Wight as post arrives late
The postal delivery system has been criticised after a spate of late deliveries across the Island. Readers have contacted the…
Read MorePlanning shift could unlock empty Sandown seafront hotels
Sandown South councillor Ian Ward says years of work to resolve long‑standing planning barriers for empty hotels on the seafront…
Read MoreMedina Studios plan could bring £36m boost and 875 jobs to Island
A major new economic study says the Medina Studios development, which already has full planning permission, could deliver one of…
Read MoreCouncil £20 million budget gap looms
The Isle of Wight Council’s Director of Finance has warned that the 2026/27 budget will be the most challenging it…
Read MoreIt’s never too late for a happy ending
An 18‑year‑old cat, who faced spending his final months in a vet’s cage, has instead found a loving Isle of…
Read MoreIW OBSERVATIONS: Negative campaigning: we’re not printing it
With the IW Council elections now confirmed for May 7, the IW Observer has taken a careful look at the…
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