A £14 MILLION government bid, a major Shanklin development and the reintroduction of parking charges are all on the schedule for the Isle of Wight Council's cabinet meeting tonight (Monday). 

On a packed agenda for the council's executive this evening, key decision will be made, including the potential to submit a multi-million bid to government to improve the Island's sustainable transport network. 

The cash, if won under the Levelling Up agenda, would complete the 'Island Green Link'. 

It would be made of three parts: a Ryde to Yarmouth public transport corridor; the West Wight Greenway; and a Newport hub and spokes scheme. 

A decision will also be made over the future of the Shanklin Spa site, which currently stands as a derelict eyesore on the Esplanade. 

Instead of the buildings, a climbing wall, the Island's first 'apart-hotel' and 50 jobs would be created at the site.

Cabinet is being asked to approve the sale of the freehold to a preferred, unnamed bidder, who is an Isle of Wight developer 'with a proven track record'.

It could be considered in private session at tonight's meeting due to some commercially sensitive information. 

Isle of Wight County Press: Picture by the Isle of Wight Council. Picture by the Isle of Wight Council.

Parking charges could be introduced at one the Island's last free car parks in the upcoming weeks if cabinet give the approval tonight.

It is said installing the fees at the Maresfield Road car park in East Cowes would make the authority £4,000. 

However, a petition was signed by 75 local business employees calling for the charges to be stopped and the council receiving eight other objections.

A new homelessness and rough sleeping action plan could be approved for the next two years, setting out ways the council and its partners can help and end rough sleeping.

As well as the other items on the agenda, the cabinet will be reflecting on the authority's performance in the last part of the 2021/22 financial year. 

The meeting is taking place today instead of last Thursday, June 16, after it was postponed.

  • You can view the full agenda HERE.
  • Watch the meeting tonight, from 5pm, HERE.