Following this week’s Bembridge Parish Council meeting, the following statement has been released by the town clerk. Ed
Bembridge Parish Council considered the library situation at its full council meeting last evening. It was resolved that ‘Bembridge Parish Council would explore a one year lease with the option to buy at a later date’. The purpose of this resolution would be for the Parish Council to undertake a ‘pilot’ for a one year period to see if a Community library would be a success.
Full costs required
A full breakdown of running costs and building maintenance costs over the past three years is required along with detailed legal advice on the draft lease issued by the Isle of Wight Council and the Parish Council’s legal powers to comply.
This needs to be obtained by the Parish Council as soon as possible to come back to a meeting for further consideration.
Parish council office
The Parish Council office at 5 Foreland Road would not be included in any plans to move at this stage as we have a public works board loan covering the mortgage. Under the criteria of a public works board loan the Parish Office could not be sub-let for another purpose.
If the Parish Office were to move the loan would have to be surrendered and due to decreasing property values, a possible loss on the Parish Council could be incurred, which we would want to avoid.
Awaiting judicial review
It is understood that a judicial review has been launched today upon the Isle of Wight Council as a result of the legal challenge brought by Friends of the Isle of Wight Library Service.
We await the outcome, which could prevent the Isle of Wight Council from pushing ahead with the library closures.
If you require further information regarding the library situation in Bembridge please contact the Parish Clerk on 01983 874160 or email [email protected]
