From time to time we receive letters from our readers who wish for them to be published on VB. This unedited letter from Brian Rushton of Newport which we received today, is one such request. Ed
I despair when I think about the likely impact cuts in funding in excess of £100,000 are likely to have on the Riverside Centre for the disabled, everyone knows what an asset this centre is to the island community and we should all be aware of the excellent job 
they do.
I am further concerned that in addition to the funding cuts our Council is considering increasing the Riverside’s rental charge to £100,000 if this information is correct it is disgraceful. One must ask the question why such a valuable amenity built with public donations on what was not so valuable (former gas works) contaminated land must pay our Council what appears on the face of it an exorbitant rent, surely in view of the services the centre provides our Council ought to be funding the centre and permitting it use of the land rent free.
Our Council’s Director of resources is quoted saying “It has to be remembered that the Council is responsible for public money and it is in the interest of all Council tax payers that it gets a fair and reasonable rent for its properties in accordance with the terms of the existing leases in a sensible and professional manner”.
I would therefore put it to Mr. Burbage that our Council was not concerned about the rent which was due from the Quay Art Centre or the Jubilee buildings or the Green Sheds when our Council gifted these buildings and land to the Quay Art Centre and further does not appear overly concerned when renting out other buildings and land in Newport harbour at Seaclose Quay for use as a Boat and Bus museum also in the harbour we have all that is now the Odessa Boat Yard and Site Services buildings all being let to Council tenants either to make a profit or for boys toys! and all at peppercorn rents, please inform me Mr. Burbage how you can justify charging such a worthwhile amenity like the Riverside centre any rent whatsoever in such circumstances
Please accept that I do not wish to take anything away from the Quay Art Centre who excellently provide our community with the much needed arts facility or from the others I mentioned above in answer to Mr. Burbage’s statement, I am just using this example to show how unfair our Councils attitude towards the Riverside Centre appears.
Over these past years I have been one of our islands tax payers who also contributed to the above named establishments and made further donations towards the building of the Riverside Centre and I feel that I am entitled to know why the Riverside Centre is being treated in this abominable fashion and say that I disapprove of the proposed cuts and proposed rent rises and I would like to ask other tax payers to do the same, what sort of people do we have administering this Authority and where are our elected representatives?
Yours truly
Brian Rushton, Sea Street, Newport
If you have a letter that you’d like to share with our readers, do get in touch. Ed
