The mayor of an Isle of Wight coastal town has said his town council’s finances are in “dire straits”, meaning it could reduce its funding for a local library.
Councillor Steve Cooper told Ventnor Town Council (VTC) on Monday evening the authority needs to “start finding some money very quickly” and was “not in a good place” – a year on from making similar remarks.
Cooper: “Right and proper” to “pressurise the Isle of Wight Council”
He reassured attendees at Salisbury Gardens that VTC would not “walk away” from Ventnor Library, but added that it was “right and proper” to “pressurise the Isle of Wight Council as much as possible” over its running costs.
“This council has for many many years given a significant contribution for the running of Ventnor Library – obviously we still want a library.
“I think it’s incredibly important for any town to have a library – it’s not just about books, it’s about many other things, it’s also about being a community hub.
“However, as a professional negotiator all my life, I saw an opportunity here to reduce what we’re giving.
“Both me and Councillor Hunter have decided that the best place to start is a position of zero and then see what kind of negotiations we get out of that.
“The Isle of Wight Council has an obligation to keep libraries open.”
Cooper: Not about to go bankrupt
Speaking after the meeting, the mayor said VTC was not about to go bankrupt, but that it was “driving everything” possible to “build up” its reserves.
He blamed the poor finances on backfilling “staff absences” and “outstanding building costs”.
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
