The Ecoisland Partnership, the company fronted by David Green and set up with the hope of using the Isle of Wight as a model for how the rest of the world could live within their eco means, has sent letters to its creditors.
The letter informs them of a meeting to be held on the 10th October, at which point the company will be put into Liquidation.
London Gazette listing
Ecoisland Partnership CIC are listed in the 7th May, 2013 edition of the London Gazette as – D2 on 24 April 2013. It was formed on 17 Feb, 2011 and still has the sole director of David Green.
OnTheWight called their office, but was met with a strange message, “If you have a general inquiry, then unfortunately, at this time, we’re unable to offer assistance. There are a number of other Isle of Wight-based green organisations that we hope can help you.”
We’ve contacted the company and understand that statement will be sent to us, which we will add when it arrives.
There are a number of other EcoIsland companies listed on the company register eg Ecoisland Energy Service Company Limited; Ecoisland Records Limited; Ecoisland Energy Limited. It’s uncertain what the legal state of these are.
Huge funding
It’s understood that many international companies put funding into EcoIsland projects including IBM and Hitachi.
In July 2012 the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) provided £2.3m of funding for hydrogen vehicle infrastructure as part of the Isle of Wight’s Eco-Island initiative.
Update 3rd October, 2013: Positive update on this individual project.
The roots of Eco Island
The IW council launching the Isle of Wight as an Eco Island was a surprise to most people on the Island, but this is what Joe Duckworth, one of the past Chief Execs of IW council, did in December 2007.
From there, via a council-funded £30k+ launch at the Big Green Picnic, the Cabinet backed the idea and ran a grand conference.
Eventually, after Joe left, the idea when cold, falling out of favour with Steve Beynon and the Conservative administration. This was followed by a series of refusals of planning applications for Wind Turbines.
David Green resurrected the idea, forming it into a company in 2011.
Update 10.25am 2nd October
This statement received by the creditor, James Cowper,
It is with deep regret that the Ecoisland Partnership Community Interest Company has been forced to close its doors and wind up its affairs on the Island. This action follows extensive funding rounds and a significant number of re-finance packages that unfortunately have not come to fruition.
The existing Partnership Funding structure was hit badly by the current economic climate and the new Energy Company initiative, in spite of numerous funding streams in the pipeline has not come online in time to provide the CIC with the necessary funding it required.
There is no positive spin to put on this – the Vision of the Island as a sustainable region was clearly a valuable one but the necessary ongoing funding streams have not consolidated around the plan. It is clearly not for want of effort or initiative on behalf of the whole team and all the supporters that the plan has not moved forward it was hoped that a recent re-capitalisation plan would resolve things but it has not.
Whilst it was hoped that the Ecoisland Partnership CIC would be able to lead the sustainability developments on the Island for a number of years to come, clearly without on going funding this will not be the case. The Vision however is still a good one and the Director hopes that the momentum that has been generated can still be maintained.
The Company has engaged James Cowper LLP Accountants and Business Advisors to assist in placing the CIC into creditors’ voluntary liquidation. They can be contacted at:
James Cowper LLP, Latimer House, 5-7 Cumberland Place, Southampton, SO15 Tel: +44 (0)2380 221222
