During our analysis of the questions and answers raised in relation to the delegated decision to approve funding for a new lift at the Ventnor Botanic Garden, we came across some paperwork that had previously passed us by.
When Cllr Welsford asked why the IWC could justify spending £220,000 on a new lift for the Botanic Garden, but not maintain the valuable asset of the Ventnor Winter Gardens, it was brought to light that the IWC are considering disposing of the Winter Gardens.
Cllr Brown’s response, the final paragraph being the most pertinent …
In the past ten years the Isle of Wight Council has provided in excess of £200,000 of funding to Ventnor Town Council for it to spend on the operation of the Winter Gardens. In addition the Isle of Wight Council has spent £242k in the same period in carrying out works to maintain the building.
I understand that no other Town or Parish receives funding from the Isle of Wight Council to this level in order to maintain and operate a local community facility.
In the Strategic Asset Management Plan, approved by Cabinet in July of this year, it was agreed that the Council should review the future retention of the Winter Gardens and consider its possible disposal.
Cabinet agree to consider disposing of Winter Gardens
This came as news to us, so we did some digging and found paperwork, approved by the Cabinet in July, that does indeed state that the Isle of Wight council are considering disposing of the Ventnor Winter Gardens.
The Ventnor Winter Gardens Theatre was not included within the previous service review of theatres as it was not directly operated by the Isle of Wight Council.
However, the future retention and use of this building must now be subject to review in keeping with the Council policy of focussing on the delivery of core services, of which this is not one.
Action: Support a service review to establish the case to retain or dispose of the Winter Gardens.
Response from Ventnor Town Council
Having attended most Ventnor Town Council meetings and having not heard anything about the possible disposal before, we got in touch with Ventnor Town Clerk, David Bartlett.
He told VB this afternoon, “Although we were not aware of document or the decision made by the Cabinet in July, we were not surprised to hear of this.
“We’ve been involved in ongoing discussions with the Isle of Wight council for several months about the future of the Winter Gardens after April 2011.”
We’ll let you know if we hear more.
