Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council set its budget in early February. The increase is 5.1% following last year’s ‘freeze’ given cost of living pressures on residents.

Among the services and facilities the community council will continue to fund are four toilets, maintenance of four recreation grounds, all school crossing patrols, the 39 bus service, an environment officer, many of the area’s litter and dog waste bins, support for planning enforcement, and the immensely popular Christmas event.

In addition next year the Council will increase support for voluntary youth services in the parish, arrange a ‘D-Day 80’ event at Victoria Rec in June, and continue support for the IW Children’s Story Festival.

I was really pleased that suggestions for Parkhurst & Hunnyhill ward were agreed. There is extra money for play equipment, and for public realm improvements on Hunnyhill where the bee hotel and small bench are already in place. There is also money for community noticeboards. I would welcome residents’ suggestions for where these could go.