Isle of Wight Council launches annual budget consultation

The Isle of Wight Council is once again inviting islanders to have their say on how it should spend its money next year as the annual budget consultation launches today (Monday, 8 September).

The annual budget consultation is now live — seeking feedback from all Island residents about the priorities they want to see in the coming year. These views will help shape the draft budget for the 2026/27 financial year.

Each year the council is required to balance its budget so that spending does not exceed income from council tax, grants and other sources. This requires difficult choices about priorities for the future.

Chris Ward, the Isle of Wight Council’s Director of Finance said: “With funding for all Councils becoming more and more constrained, it is more important than ever that residents let the Council know what matters most to them so that this can be considered in the Council's Budget and Council Tax proposals for next year.”

Every year, the council spends around £500 million providing public services that Islanders use every day.

Most of the council’s budget is spent on looking after those people who need us most, through adult social care and children’s services. As we plan our spending for the year ahead, we need to hear your views on what is important to you.

Residents are encouraged to complete the consultation survey as soon as possible and by Monday, 3 November. Responses are anonymous and the survey should take no more than ten minutes to complete. 

Printed copies of the survey are available on request by emailing budget@iow.gov.uk.

Consultation feedback will inform a draft of the budget, which will be considered by the council’s Policy, Finance & Resources Committee and Full Council in 2026.

To complete the budget consultation survey, please visit: Isle of Wight Council Budget consultation 2026/27