The Isle of Wight council will be down more than £8,000 as a result of Island Harbour entering into administration, while more than £20,000 is owed to former staff at the site near Whippingham.
The debts are among £10 million left by the company behind Island Harbour, Uavend Investments LLP, which collapsed in September.
Unpaid salaries
Over £22,000 is owed in unpaid salaries to staff, including some who have been made redundant.
Uavend Investments LLP also owes construction companies and waste and administration services.
Overseeing the administration, Lucas Ross has now revealed the Isle of Wight council is owed £8,855 — relating to an invoice dating to March 2022.
Fees due in January
The payment is due by 1st January, according to the document on Companies House, but the council has not been marked as a preferential creditor, so it will be further down the list when it comes to Island Harbour’s debts being paid.
An Isle of Wight council spokesperson confirmed the fee was for non-domestic rates — also known as business rates — but did not comment further.
£22m black hole
This debt will be added to the council’s £22 million financial black hole next year, as County Hall tries to set its 2023/24 budget.
A five per cent council tax increase has been advised, by the authority’s finance director, but it would still not be enough to fill the funding gap.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
