UPDATE: the answer was, sadly, ‘yes’. I will be pressing for at least some form of consultation before new invoices go out.

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Fees for the WightCare service are set to rocket up by 13 per cent under proposals to be considered by the council’s Alliance group cabinet this week (Thursday, 12 May).

The plan had been set out in the budget proposed by the Alliance group in February this year. I’d prepared an amendment for a 3 per cent increase but withdrew it when given assurances of consultation and scrutiny.

However, the report shows no subsequent consultation has taken place – despite having two months to do so.

This is disappointing especially as the Alliance group’s corporate plan sets out:

We will ensure that we listen to people. We will do so by holding consultations in which we will have a proper discussion with residents about issues

Also lacking in the report are figures for likely drop-off in subscriptions from users who feel they can’t afford the new fees.

Although this is a discretionary service, it is one which many Islanders rely on. An impact assessment shows a negative impact for some service users who are elderly or have a disability.

I have raised my concerns with both the cabinet member for resources and the chair of the corporate scrutiny committee. I hope that the process of scrutiny will lead to cabinet re-thinking its approach and delaying any decision till users have been properly consulted.