Thanks to Shanklin resident, Andrew N, for this brief report from Monday night’s Shanklin Town Council public meeting. Ed
There was a good turnout on Monday night for the public meeting organised by the Shanklin Town Council. It made good use of the theatre – kindly run by the Friends of Shanklin Theatre (FoST) volunteers for the evening. At a guess, there were around 150 people present.
Richard Priest facilitated the evening (as a Shanklin Town Councillor) and it appeared that the whole of the Town Council was present including David Pugh. The minute Cllr Pugh started introduced himself, he was met with few quiet ‘boos’ from the public audience.
Cllr Pugh given a hard time by residents
It was pointed out a few times that the Town Council did not really have much of a say on the proposals suggested by County Council, but they would like to hear suggestions and comments so that they could be forwarded.
The main points brought up quickly were.
Libraries
Lots of people not wanting the library to be closed, volunteers to be a poor option (what if they don’t turn up?, not incentivised and not skilled). Some suggestions to move library and TIC into theatre but not ideal. Cost to keep libraries open on island (around £600k a year I think was said), said to be “not much” and it is so invaluable for education, elderly, kids etc.
Cut senior salaries
Beynon and chums salaries far too high and need to be halved at least (cue massive applause). £4m to spend on council building in Newport (loads of applause again). Public not happy with the excuse “we need to pay the right wage to get the right people”, response: “Rubbish, all they’ve done so far is fail, get rid of them all”.
Tourism vital
Lots of community spirit in wanting to help and make the town better – not happy with it looking run down, derelict buildings.
Someone from The Waterfront hotel/restaurant down the seafront gutted that the Shanklin Dotto Train was lost (didn’t even know this had happened) and said the hotels would have been happy to have advertised or sponsored it, but were not approached to do so.
Town Councillor: Tourism is very important but we need people to support it and us.
Fire service
Quite a bit on the fire service – new employees will be working day shift on far higher wage £40k opposed to 24/7 £7k employees now.
Also they would be part of Unison Union and be subject to any kind of strike action “they will bring you to your knees”.
County councillors not representing voters – “remember this at the next election” etc.
Toilet closures
Toilets, 5 out of 6 to remain open in current proposals but the one closing down at the Chine is a busy one – town councillors said they would recommend closing the one near Shanklin Lift instead, people liked this.
Community spirit – people saying we need to come up with ideas to help and really pressure the TC to force the CC to change their minds. “Don’t accept second best”.
Double taxation
Town Councillors suggested raising the precept by only a small amount and the TC can help pay and keep these services.
The IWC has forced them upon the TC, basically saying find a way to pay for them or they will close. Public anger at having to pay the IWC already for these services and then possibly having to pay more to the TC to keep them open – essentially paying twice.
About 50% of people approved this idea though as it looked like an increase of around £2 a month would be enough (some mutterings from elderly people that they struggle as it is now). Lots of people love Shanklin and want to make it good again.
Lifeguards
Town councillor said don’t need to have blue flag, used to have longshoremen and no problems then, why do we need to pay for lifeguard?
Amusingly, someone mentioned the town council lost Shanklin £100k by painting over a Banksy.
“Maybe he thought this derelict building down the seafront looks like it could do with some decoration”. Some applause, then Cllr Pugh response “it was offensive and not suitable for children” (a few older residents agreed).
There was raucous laughter from the audience at the end when Richard Priest was summarising and saying what will happen next – the town council will now put forward our ideas to the County Council and we can find copies of all this at our local library!
“Make use of it whilst you can!”
