After the report of last night’s Ventnor Town Council (VTC) meeting, where members of the VTC accused the Isle of Wight council of ‘arrogance’ after banning VTC’s Coastal Centre survey from the library, we contacted IW council to find out which parts of the VTC survey they felt were the ‘misleading comments’.
Below is their reply in full – Ed.
As you probably know, the leaflet cannot be displayed at Ventnor Library as it contravenes our leaflets policy in that it is not only inaccurate and misleading, it is also a campaign leaflet which only tells one side of an argument. Furthermore, it contains political overtones which is also unacceptable under the policy.
As regards your specific question, the following aspects are not just misleading but in some cases inarguably incorrect statements from the author. There are other questionable statements in the leaflet but these examples give us most concern.
- The Green (Salisbury Gardens) has never been considered to be part of this disposal.
- The commissioning manager for adult and community learning services has declined a request to formally endorse the bid. In the circumstances it is wrong to use his quote and the council’s logo under the headline ‘Strong Support’ The bid is not supported by the Isle of Wight Council.
- Irrespective of who may have purchased the property historically, it legally passed to and is owned by Isle of Wight Council on behalf of all Island residents and all Island residents have contributed to its maintenance and upkeep. It is wrong to declare ‘It’s Ventnor’s!’ Similarly, it is also wrong to state as fact that any money raised would be spent ‘elsewhere’ of Ventnor. How and where any receipt may be spent is undecided.
- There is no intention, nor has there ever been, to sell Blackgang Chine car park to Southern Vectis or at less than market value.
- We have also made it clear any special purchase is based on full market value based on the reports of two independent valuations.
- Ventnor Town Council’s Business case appears to be predicated on the IW Council gifting them the building and without having agreed the bid with the IW Council before it was submitted. There is no such commitment or likelihood of gifting the property.
