The Mayor of Ventnor has said his town council’s finances are in ‘dire straits’, meaning it could reduce its funding for a local library.
Councillor Steve Cooper told Ventnor Town Council (VTC) on Monday that the authority needs to start finding some money very quickly and was ‘not in a good place’ – a year on from making similar remarks.
He reassured attendees at Salisbury Gardens that VTC would not walk away from Ventnor Library but added that it was right and proper to pressurise the Isle of Wight Council as much as possible over its running costs.
He said:
“This council has for many many years given a significant contribution for the running of Ventnor Library – obviously we still want a library.
“I think it’s incredibly important for any town to have a library – it’s not just about books, it’s about many other things, it’s also about being a community hub.
“However, as a professional negotiator all my life, I saw an opportunity here to reduce what we’re giving.
“Both me and Cllr Hunter have decided that the best place to start is a position of zero and then see what kind of negotiations we get out of that.
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Speaking after the meeting, the mayor said VTC was not about to go bankrupt but that it was driving everything possible to build up its reserves.
He blamed the poor finances on backfilling staff absences and outstanding building costs.
UPDATE – Ventnor Town Council has since clarified that while it is facing financial pressures, these are being managed through transitional arrangements, budget monitoring and service reviews. The Mayor and Town Clerk say references to “staff absences” relate to standard backfilling measures used to maintain service continuity, and stress that the Council remains committed to supporting its staff and being transparent with residents.
Wow there he is, the elusive Mayor. Tried to contact him on his phone to complain about something, the number was on the VTC site, guess what, not recognised, and VTC never answer the phone either. Where is the money going then, backhanders to the developers that sit on the VTC by any chance. Also stop having an alcoholic town cryer spouting a total load of incorrect facts about the commonwealth and a few other subjects I could mention as well. (oh yes, how did the town cryer also get away with locking someone in the disabled toilets in Ventnor as well?)
I thought libraries were part of council tax? If so what are we really actually paying this extortionate tax for