Following our piece last Friday about the Isle of Wight council’s proposal to no longer maintain the children’s paddling pools in East Cowes, Ryde and Ventnor, we now have an update.
Readers will remember that we were awaiting costs from the council in relation to the annual maintenance costs, from last Friday.
Obstruction on release of figures
We had hoped to receive those costs on Monday this week and have chased for them throughout the week, but at time of publishing this article, the council have failed to provide them.
The obstruction didn’t seem to be coming from the press contact who was dealing with our request, that would appear to only leave the officers involved.
Clerks more forthcoming
Luckily, two of the three clerks for the relevant towns were more forthcoming.
Ventnor town clerk, David Bartlett has been told that the estimated costs for their annual maintenance would be between £2,700-£3,700.
East Cowes (EC) town clerk, Ian Hobb, informed us that the estimated maintenance costs would be £7,500 and £10,000 per annum. The East Cowes paddling pool has CCTV coverage currently. He added that if the EC town council agree to take on the costs, they would seek competitive quotes for the work.
Ryde less forthcoming
Ryde town clerk, Saskia Kiernan unfortunately decided to refuse to share the estimated costs for maintaining the paddling pool with On The Wight, saying, “They are not our costs to give.”
Proportional to the total size of the budgets, the amounts are small for the Isle of Wight council, but much larger for the town councils.
Uncertain future
In order to cover the additional costs, the town councils could need to raise the precept (the part of your council tax that covers your local area) in the next financial year.
If they choose not to take on running of the currently free amenities, it’s unclear what would happen to them.
Image: © EricIW1
