A near five per cent tax increase, second home premiums and sewage pollution into the sea are all on the Isle of Wight Council's agenda to be discussed tonight (Wednesday) at the biggest meeting of the year. 

The decisions tonight will, among other things, set the council's spending plans for the next financial year.

While various budget proposals have come forward from all corners of the chamber, all groups are united in calling for a 4.99 council tax increase.

Read more about the proposals here: 

A key decision which could make the council millions in the year to come, is whether or not the authority agrees to charge a tax premium on second homes.

It means second home owners could pay double their tax on the Island from 2025.

A motion from Cllr Joe Lever — Green Party councillor and member of the Alliance Administration — is asking the council to rescind a decision it made at its last meeting in January which removed the 'Exceptional Hardship Fund'.

When the decision was made there was some confusion over how much was in the fund and how much had been used to help vulnerable Islanders. 

Read more: 

Another motion has been put forward by Cllr Michael Lilley which would make the Isle of Wight Council work with all parties to stop sewage pollution around and from the Island. 

It calls for the authority to ensure sewage releases into the sea surrounding the Island are stopped by 2030.

Other decisions about the council's pay policy and discretionary rate relief for businesses are also on the table.