15/02/2026
Who does what in Sandown?
A clear guide from Together for Sandown
At Together for Sandown, we often see posts on social media where residents understandably expect Sandown Town Council to resolve issues that are actually the responsibility of the Isle of Wight Council, Island Roads, the Police, or other agencies.
Local government is complicated — and misinformation spreads quickly.
We’re sharing this guide to:
Correct common misconceptions
Help residents reach the right organisation first time
Reduce frustration when reporting issues
Explain what your Town Council can (and can’t) do
Here’s a simple breakdown of responsibilities in Sandown:
Sandown Town Council (STC)
Your local council, focused solely on Sandown.
STC looks after the day to day amenities and community assets that make the town a more pleasant place to live, work and visit:
• Public toilets
• Town gardens, planters & flowerbeds
• Noticeboards, signage & heritage features
• Grants and support to local community groups
• Organisation and support for events
• Small-scale local improvement projects
Planning: Our role and why we’re now more active than most towns councils
STC is a consultee in the planning process — not a decision maker.
The Isle of Wight Council makes all planning decisions.
However, Sandown faces particular challenges:
• Long term neglect of major buildings
• Increasing dereliction
• Persistent poor-quality development (with some exceptions)
• No clear strategy for regeneration
• Under investment in assets owned by the Isle of Wight Council
A key point for residents:
Sandown Town Council is not responsible for the condition of the town’s neglected, derelict or poorly maintained major buildings.
Most of these issues relate to assets, decisions or failures by private owners, the Isle of Wight Council, or existing long-term planning policies.
So why is STC (led by Together for Sandown) stepping up?
Despite not being responsible for the causes of the town’s decline, we feel strongly that doing nothing is no longer an option.
Since the Isle of Wight Council has:
• Under invested in Sandown for many years (Vs Newport, Cowes & Ryde)
• No clear, modern economic or regeneration strategy for the town
• Not maintained many of its own assets to an acceptable standard
Together for Sandown Councillors believe the Town Council must take a more proactive role.
That is why we are developing two Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) — going beyond the minimum responsibilities of a town council — to provide:
✔ Clear expectations for developers
✔ A framework to tackle dereliction
✔ Stronger design standards
✔ A strategic vision for Sandown’s recovery and regeneration
STC = local facilities, community wellbeing, small projects, and stepping up when others don’t — even when it goes beyond the minimum legal duty.
Isle of Wight Council (IWC)
The Island’s unitary authority, responsible for all major statutory services, including:
• Roads, street lighting & traffic management
• Parking enforcement & public car parks
• Waste & recycling collections
• Housing, homelessness support & housing benefits
• Education, schools & SEND
• Adult and children’s social care
• Planning decisions & building control
• Environmental health & licensing
• Coastline management, flood risk & rights of way
IWC = the big, statutory services that apply across the whole Island — including Sandown.
Island Roads
Island Roads deliver highway services on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council:
• Road repairs & resurfacing
• Pavement works
• Drains, signage, road markings and street lighting faults
• Reactive and planned maintenance
Police
Handled by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary:
• Anti-Social Behaviour
• Crime, vandalism & damage
• Public safety issues
• Traffic and road-related offences
We hope this guide makes it easier to understand who is responsible for what, and why certain issues must be raised with specific organisations.
If you’re ever unsure, Together for Sandown councillors are always happy to guide you to the right place.
Thanks for reading.
