Isle of Wight MP, Bob Seely, met with the new minister for local growth funding, Dehenna Davison, to discuss the Island’s Levelling Up agenda and the case for a funding uplift.
Following the meeting, Mr Seely said:
“I am delighted Dehenna has been given this position. I know that the councillors who met her at the Islands Forum were impressed.
"It was good to have the opportunity to explain the Island’s potential for levelling up and discuss its unique needs. I look forward to further meetings with her in future.”
This meeting continued Mr Seely’s campaign for a better deal for the Isle of Wight. Alongside improvements in education, transport, culture, health and social care, Mr Seely is pursuing a funding uplift for the Isle of Wight’s local authority, which considers the additional costs associated with providing public services to an Island community.
In December 2018, he asked the Government to recognise the Island’s “unique” isolation, effectively marking the first time the Isle of Wight's circumstances have been explicitly acknowledged in the consideration of local Government finance. In February 2021, Mr Seely secured £50,000 of Government funding ‘to review the challenges faced by the council, residents and businesses on the island who are separated from the mainland.'
The report has provided evidence in favour of an uplift in Island funding: In February 2022, the Isle of Wight Council received a £1 million funding uplift in recognition of “the unique circumstances facing the Isle of Wight Council and its physical separation from the mainland.”
In October 2021, the Island was allocated £5.8 million in the first round of Levelling Up funding. This is being invested into a heavy-lift crane to improve Wight Shipyard’s capacity.
Mr Seely has also supported the Isle of Wight Council’s bid for the second round of Levelling Up funding. If successful, the submission will contribute towards the Island Green Link, a multi-million-pound sustainable transport project. The scheme will improve walkways, bus routes and cycle paths.
The uplift comes in addition to the £48 million Government funding package for upgrades to St Mary’s hospital, the £10 million community diagnostic centre being built on the Island, and the £5.3 million uplift for Unavoidably Small Hospitals, like St Mary’s.
The Island has also received education funding during Mr Seely’s time in parliament, while the council secured £800,000 for Special Educational Needs (SEN) schooling - they have since submitted a bid for a new Island-based SEN school.
Mr Seely has promised he will continue to push for more funding as part of his improved deal for the Island.
Retailers Say Hampshire & Isle Of Wight Constabulary Is Best At Responding To Retail Crime
Eight Electric Vehicle Charging Bays Could Be Installed In Isle Of Wight Town Centre
New Drop-In Sessions Announced For Isle Of Wight Dementia Strategy Review
Plans To Enhance Luxury Freshwater Seafront Hotel Approved
Thousands Of Pounds Of Investment Needed If Housing Development Goes
Isle Of Wight College Firearm Report Sees 17 Year-Old Arrested In Cowes
Major Island Policy Forum To Consider Plans Aiming To Make Suicide Prevention 'Everybody's Business'
Latest Scam Warnings Issued For Isle Of Wight
First Acts Announced For Cowes Fringe 2025
Six Island Charities Supported By WightAID In Final Giving Round Of 2024
Two New Sites For Isle Of Wight's Gift To Nature
Councillors Lodge Motions Ahead Of Landmark School Closures Debate
Ryde Town Centre Victorian Warehouse Could Get Three New Flats
Controversial Bid To Build Renewable Energy Park Near Island Village Re-Emerges
East Wight Road Improvement Work To Take Place In February
Island Parish Council Loses Second Clerk In Less Than A Year
Heavily Criticised Newport Edge Of Town Housing Plans Resurface
Family Pays Touching Tribute To Sandown Man Killed In New Year's Eve Collision
Floating Bridge To Remain Out Of Service Until Later This Week Due To 'Faulty Battery'
New Date Announced For Rescheduled Sandown Fireworks
