IW Council Press Release - IW Council to continue to support Cross Solent Patient Transport

ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING CROSS SOLENT PATIENT TRANSPORT

The Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet has agreed to continue to grant £60,000 a year to fund patient transport for residents needing mainland medical treatment.

The money will now be granted directly to the local NHS trust to fund the scheme, instead of the council operating it in unison with the trust under the current very limited eligibility criteria.

The present 13-year-old scheme offers a non-means tested reimbursement of ferry costs only for patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy and renal dialysis.

However, a report to cabinet explained that medical advances meant requests are now received for travel claims relating to new-generation cancer treatments such as radioactive iodine treatment or immunotherapy, but these are not covered by the scheme.

The option agreed by councillors will give the money to the NHS to be used only to support patient transport, but with greater freedom to use it for more conditions and more treatments . This 'would enable the council to contribute financially to the development of a more equitable transport plan’, the report said.

The council recently undertook a consultation on funding the scheme it has paid for since 2006. It is the only local authority in the country to give money for patient transport in this way.

“The consultation told us loud and clear that this funding was very much needed and we have listened to patients’ views and taken this decision to continue with it,” said Cabinet member for adult social, public health and housing needs, Councillor Clare Mosdell.

“There are problems with the present scheme, not least that it’s not really meeting the needs of many who apply for it or need it because of its limited scope, and the fact it’s not means tested.

“However, we think it is right to offer continuing financial help, but with the new focus on the NHS using the money at its discretion to allow it to extend the criteria for those who need it.

“Although we have decided to grant the money, it was right that the council looked long and hard about funding this scheme when it's not its duty to do so.

“It must also be remembered there are also other forms of help for those who need to travel to the mainland for medical appointments including an existing NHS scheme and discounts from the ferry companies.”

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SIGN UP TO REFILL ISLE OF WIGHT

SIGN UP TO REFILL ISLE OF WIGHT

Island businesses are signing up to support Refill Isle of Wight – a scheme that makes it easy for people to fill up with tap water while out and about, rather than buying water in a single-use bottle.  And if you have a cold water tap and can offer free tap water – it is easy for your business or organisation to join them!

People looking for tap water can find their nearest Refill station using a free phone app. They can also look out for the distinctive blue Refill sticker in the windows of participating businesses – making it clear they are welcome to pop in and refill their water bottle for free.

Refill was launched nationally by Bristol-based organisation City to Sea in 2015 and Refill Isle of Wight is being rolled out by Planet Aware, with the support of Southern Water. The scheme has a wealth of benefits including reducing potential litter and plastic pollution, saving people money and helping them stay healthy and hydrated.

You can find more information on Refill Isle of Wight on the website  planetaware.co.uk – under ‘our projects’ and about Refill at www.refill.org.uk.

If you would like to sign up your business or organisation to Refill Isle of Wight please do email plasticawareiow@gmail.com or fill out a form on the website.

IW Council Press Release - The Big Commuter Survey

THE BIG COMMUTER SURVEY

The Isle of Wight Council is conducting a commuter survey that could have a positive effect on the lives of residents.

The council want to find out about how employees across the Island travel to work, so that we can further help commuters travel using active and sustainable travel options. To do this, we need your help to understand how you currently travel to your workplace, and what help you and your colleagues might need to try out other ways of travelling.

All surveys completed by Friday 13 March will be entered in to a prize draw to win £100 Love2Shop High Street vouchers which can be spent at a number of local high street shops.

Council partner Systra, who deliver the Isle of Wight Travel Network on behalf of the authority, will be collating the survey which is now live. You can access the survey at: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/iowcommutersurvey
 
“This is an Island-wide survey and we want as many commuters as possible to participate. Just a few minutes of your time could help to develop plans to reduce commuting, congestion and delays,” said Cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, Councillor Ian Ward.

Sophie Murphy, senior consultant with Systra, said: “Just by making a small change to our commuting, for example, parking further away to increase your steps; swapping the car for a bike once a week; joining the Liftshare car sharing scheme; making your commute your weekly run, can all have a really beneficial effect on your health and our environment. Please complete the survey and be in with a chance to win a shopping voucher too.”

Systra deliver the Isle of Wight Travel Network project on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council, which is part of a wider programme of sustainable transport interventions being delivered by the Isle of Wight Council and its partners over the next two years, using funding secured competitively from the Department for Transport.

To find out more, visit www.iowtravelnetwork.info  for discounts, events and information.

For further information about sustainable travel projects being delivered in the Island by the council, please visit: http://www.iwight.com/SustainableTravel  

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Storeroom 2010 February 2019 Newsletter

IW Council Press Release - IW Council sets Budget for 2019/20

COUNCIL SETS BUDGET FOR 2019/20

The Isle of Wight Council has set its budget and council tax for 2019/20, with an emphasis on protecting all major services and investing in the Island’s future.
Tonight’s (Wednesday’s) meeting of the Full Council agreed the budget, which included a 2.99 per cent rise in council tax – around 79p per week for a Band C property - from April.
The council tax increase is one of several measures that ensures the council can live within its means.
Only five per cent of the £5.5 million the council had to save this year will come from service cuts because it has delivered substantial and innovative efficiency savings, alongside initiatives to generate income.
The council has proposed to invest £43 million for capital projects in 2019/20, including £25 million of approved borrowing to invest on the Island for regeneration schemes delivering housing and employment.
In addition, more than £4 million will be spent on school refurbishments and more than £1.5 million will be invested in adaptations for Islanders with disabilities so they can live in their own homes for longer.
Leader of the council, Councillor Dave Stewart, said: “We took the bold step in publishing our budget plans four months ago to give people every opportunity to help us find the right balance between achieving the savings and securing revenue to invest in the Island’s future.
“While money remains tight and we’ve had to make very tough decisions, the impact is far less than last year because we are now far more innovative and efficient in how we deliver our services.
“We have a clear strategy to keep the council financially balanced and sustainable. As a result, we’re pleased to say we can reduce our savings target for next year by £1 million.
“We have listened to businesses and residents, including around parking, which will see some proposed price changes postponed for the next year to allow us time to develop a fair and consistent strategy that works for everyone on the Island."
The key focus of the budget was to:

• develop further the stability and resilience of the council so that it is strong enough to meet the needs of the Island’s community.
• provide key capital investment for regeneration projects for the Island;
• achieve £5.5 million of savings in 2019/20.
• set council tax at a level which is critical to securing adult social care services on the Island.
• improve the financial resilience of the council.

The capital investment projects included:

• £29.2 million - regeneration schemes (business growth, housing etc).
• £1.1 million - improvement works (dredging and harbour walls) at Newport Harbour.
• £2.0 milllion - continuing accommodation works at two Island care homes - the Adelaide, Ryde, and the Gouldings, Freshwater.
• £3.9 milllion - schools' capital programme.

Councillor Stewart added: “This budget continues to give protection and support for the most vulnerable and balances that need with ensuring we provide continued services for the hard-working taxpayers who fund what we do.
“It safeguards delivery of council services for the next three years – meeting our ambition of ensuring a long-term financial strategy, not just a short-term fix.”
The council’s net revenue budget in 2019/20 will be £150 million.

END