This view of the background behind the proposed Bembridge fireworks display was sent in to VB from ‘Guy Bembridge’ following last night’s meeting at Bembridge Parish Council – the first meeting after the surprise resignation of Gill Rogers, its ex-Chair, after over ten years as a councillor. It’s in their own words – Ed.
VentnorBlog recently ran a story about rumblings at Bembridge Parish Council about a proposed firework event on the 5th November.
At the July meeting of Bembridge Parish Council (PC) the councillors were advised that a firework event was being considered to celebrate Bonfire Night. They were told that the event was to promote Bembridge to the wider population on the Island, to attract more visitors, to enhance the economy and try and raise some funds to be reinvested locally.
Informal negotiations had taken place with a firework company and a cost of £100 per minute was mentioned. A ten minute firework display was being proposed.
Cost concerns raised
Councillors raised concerns about the cost of the event and it was resolved that the matter would be brought back to a special meeting on the 2nd August with a briefing paper, costings and potential sponsorship to alleviate costs.
At the meeting in August it was recognised there was a need for community events and discussion took place as to whether it was the right time to commit money to such an event. There were many differing priorities for different sectors within the village.
Following a long and lengthy debate it is understood that the motion was carried by 6 votes to 4 to hold the event with comments being made by some councillors that this was an open-ended commitment with no formal budget being set.
Budget rises to £3,500
At their Parish Council meeting yesterday evening Councillors were asked to agree to a budget of £3,500 to cover the event. To accept pledges totalling £1,000 from sponsors and to appoint a firework company to put on a display costing £2,500 plus VAT for 10 minutes, a far cry from the original £1,000 Councillors were originally asked to agree to.
It is understood that even before last nights meeting a firework company had been appointed without the formal approval of the council.
Other items requiring approval was £200 for a band to play in the local community centre with bar profits going to the centre and not back to the Parish Council.
The meeting was described as being shambolic and was chaired by the Vice-Chairman following the resignation of the Chairman. It is believed that a new Chairman will be elected at the October meeting and there are rumours of more resignations to follow.
Display: 200 guests expected
Councillors have been told that “ambitious estimates” of numbers expected to attend the event are in the region of 200 and with ever-rising costs some are asking whether it is right that an event for a few should be funded by such a high level from the precept.
It is alleged that there was poor and insufficient information made available with regard to the true cost of the event. Original costings are now nearly 300% more than was first put forward and perhaps villagers should ask questions of the Parish Council and their elected representatives as to whether this event is a good use of public money and resources.
It is alleged that the figures quoted do not include staff time in arranging the event. It should be noted that all decisions have been made lawfully and democratically by Councillors throughout the process decisions being carried by a small majority.
No entry fee chargeable
Sponsorship is being sought for the event but there is no guarantee that the event will be cost neutral and no entry fee can be made to the event as it is being held in Steyne Park, a public open space owned by the Parish Council on behalf of the village.
Steyne Park is one of the assets being mooted for offloading by the Parish Council to another group within the village.
It is believed that if the event is cancelled due to bad weather the display will be rescheduled for the 10th December to coincide with a children’s party. This directly clashes with the Light of Love event that is being put on by the Bembridge Business Association in aid of the Hospice.
No doubt we will hear more rumblings in the future.
Image: us_army_rolling_along under a CC BY 2.0 license
