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A LIST of 30 projects, schemes and initiatives each designed to make an improvement to life on Eco Island have been unveiled by the IW Council.
The One Island schemes -- from a £1.75 million cash injection into road schemes to offering £0.5m for support to getting homes insulated -- were outlined by IW Council leader Cllr David Pugh at the authority's annual budget meeting on Wednesday. The schemes have been divided under Eco Island and its aims and are intended to benefit all sections of the Island community.
Specific pledges to help the environment include the Eco Island conference and Big Green Picnic, the introduction of a zero plastic bag scheme and five new electric car charging points in car parks. Other initiatives include the appointment of world renowned architect Terry Farrell to be the Island's design champion, four new public toilets, and extending the One Million Blooms project.
There is a commitment to raising educational achievements in KS2 and KS4 plus additional support for excluded children. There will also be a drive to encourage 22,000 more people to use leisure centres and a commitment to enabling 100 people with learning disabilities to live independently at home. David Pugh, IW Council leader said the massive investment into the 30 One Island projects was despite keeping the increase in council tax to 3.9 per cent - the level of inflation. He said the council pledged to operate in a more efficient manner, saving £2 million the process as well as speeding up its response times to letters and e-mails.
"These initiatives are to build upon the success of the One Island projects successfully delivered last year," Cllr Pugh said. But they do so within a carefully considered three-year budget and show that is it is possible to deliver worthwhile projects and enhanced services to Islanders while keeping council tax increases to the level of inflation. Once again we have developed this list of schemes after consulting with the public and I am confident they will make a real difference to the lives of Islanders and also help us achieve our shared Eco Island vision."
