More than 30 residents took time out of their Monday evening to attend the latest public meeting about the Ventnor Winter Gardens.
The meeting had been called by local resident Steve Witheyman, and was chaired by Isle of Wight councillor for Ventnor and St Lawrence, Ed Blake.
Although she had been advised not to attend, Natasha Dix, the Service Director for Waste, Environment and Planning, also took time out of her evening to update residents.
16 of the 19 actions not completed
Much of what Natasha had to say had already been reported by OnTheWight earlier in the day, but she was also there to answer questions and help residents understand the process the council has to go through in order to progress any enforcement actions.
She began by updating residents with the stark news that 16 of the 19 remedial actions required to be carried out on the Winter Gardens had not been completed, and that considerable further work was required to bring the building up to an acceptable position.
Extenuating circumstances relating to the roof, which has been an ongoing issue for several years, have led to the council requesting to see the latest surveys to understand the structural position.
IWC committed to seeing improvements
Residents were informed that the Enforcement Officer was in constant communication with the landowner and was working through the 19 items required to be completed.
Natasha reported that there has been a visible improvement to the western exterior of the building, but if improvements slow down or stop completely the council will consider issuing a Section 215 notice to the landowner.
Natasha confirmed the Isle of Wight Council is committed to seeing the building brought back into use for the community, and is applying pressure on the landowner.
Past the deadline
Residents asked why the landowner, Keven Sussmilch (of Wight House Ltd the dormant company that signed the contract with the council in 2013) had been given 16 weeks to complete the work (which is now well past the deadline of 25th July).
Natasha explained that a reasonable time period has to be given to complete the extensive works – which Councillor Blake suggested would be in the region of £300,000 to £400,000.
The roof
Many questions arose about the state of the roof and why that hadn’t been tackled first. It was pointed out that the last few months of dry weather has been the ideal time to carry out the work.
Despite the fact that any water ingress will be devaluing the asset, Natasha explained that the landowner can decide the order of what work is carried out.
Health and Safety
Concerns about the rickety scaffolding tower that was being used by the one person carrying out the painting of the exterior were raised. Natasha explained that health and safety is the obligation of the landowner.
It was mentioned that anyone can report their concerns to the Health and Safety Executive, and Councillor Blake confirmed this had already happened in relation to the scaffolding being held together by a hammer.
Meeting the landowner
It was explained that Natasha has been attempting to broker a meeting between the landowner and a small delegation from the community.
Councillor Blake said he had tried to speak to Mr Sussmilch many times, but that he was not responding to the councillor’s calls.
Kirsty Chapman, who runs Better Days Cafe where the meeting was held, said she’d invited Mr Sussmilch to the meeting via the manager at Hambrough Hotel.
Asset of Community Value
It was reported that the bid for the Winter Gardens to become an Asset of Community Value was progressing well.
If this is approved, it means that ‘should’ the landowner put the property up for sale, the community would be given six months to put a bid together to purchase it at a ‘reasonable market value’.
Learning lessons
The subject of the Freehold sale contract between Isle of Wight Council and Wight House Ltd was raised several times by residents in the meeting.
Councillor Blake explained that many of the officers who had been involved with setting that up, were no longer with the council and that the ‘new blood’ would approach any future contracts differently.
The buy-back option
For those not aware, the sale contract did contain a buy-back option, after 18 months.
In December 2014, the council’s Property Sub Committee reviewed whether it could enforce a buy-back condition. Surveys were conducted to assess whether the owner had fulfilled their planned works.
The report concluded that the owner had completed the works substantially enough that the council was not legally able to invoke the buy-back option. Mr Sussmilch claimed that he had spent £1.2m on the works. Despite the fact the IWC were satisfied he had carried out the works, the community remained cynical.
Moving forward
Steve said that another meeting would be set for early November and the situation assessed at that point.
There should be news about the Asset of Community Value (ACV) bid, and an update on how the remedial works are progressing.
Residents thanked Steve, Ed and Natasha for attending and said they would be keeping the council on their toes.
