Freedom of Information Act requests have been lodged following the Isle of Wight council’s refusal to tell Islanders the details of its settlement on Floating Bridge 6.
Questions have been asked of the council, including how much the council made, whether the council signed a non-disclosure agreement over the settlement (and if so, why?); and how much the council paid in legal fees during the action.
IWC: No further statement will be made
The council refused to answer referring back to its original standpoint that no further statement would be made.
A Freedom of Information request has now been submitted by the Isle of Wight Local Democracy Reporter, as well as multiple Island residents, asking the same questions.
The request could take up to 20 working days to answer.
Mediation ended
Late last week, it was announced the legal mediation process between the designers and builders of the £3.2 million troubled chain ferry — Burness Corlett Three Quays and Mainstay Marine Solutions — and the Isle of Wight Council had ended.
It was said to have started in March this year, but the legal action was first mentioned by the previous Conservative administration almost two years ago.
IWC: Settlement should remain confidential
While the settlement was welcomed, the Isle of Wight council has refused to disclose how much it was for.
The authority says it was agreed between parties the terms of the settlement should remain confidential and no party would make any further statement relating to the terms of the settlement agreement.
Years of turmoil
East Cowes’s Cllr Karl Love said he did not agree confidentiality was necessary and after years of turmoil in the town, they were entitled to know the details.
Cllr Joe Robertson, Conservative leader at County Hall, called the secrecy ‘completely unacceptable’.
Palin: Kept in the dark
Cllr Cameron Palin, East Cowes town councillor, said residents were being kept in the dark and it made him question the Alliance Administration’s post-election pledges to be open and transparent, instead making them look closed and deceptive.
Public views
Members of the public have also been questioning how the settlement can be kept quiet when it has been taxpayers’ money funding the troubled vessel.
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
Image: © Isle of Wight Council
