Budget consultation 2025-2026

Isle of Wight residents and organisations, council tax and business rate payers were invited to have their say on the council’s budget and council tax for 2025/26. We received nearly 700 responses.

A summary of the results is set out below. The Administration considered the results when setting out their Revenue Budget, Council Tax and Capital Investment proposals.

Council Tax increase for general purposes

• 58% of respondents opted for an increase of 1%, 2%, 3% or more than 3%
• the most popular choice was for a 3% increase (37% of respondents who supported an increase)

Support for an adult social care levy on council tax of 2%

• 42% of respondents supported raising a levy of 2%

Fees and charges for specific services

• 69% of respondents would prefer to see an increase in charges for services so to maintain them.  The most popular choice was for a modest increase (38% of respondents). 

Priorities for remaining funds

• 36% ranked ensuring older people and vulnerable adults are looked after and supported to live independently as their priority.
• 15% ranked maintaining our roads, parks and open spaces as their highest priority.

 Spending on one off projects

• 54% included investing in sea defences and flood protection within their top priorities.
• 50% included improving the road network within their top priorities.

Read the full set of Budget consultation results 2025-26 (PDF, 1MB, 5 pages)