By Isle of Wight ObserverBembridge Parish Council (BPC) have listed a building that has been at the centre of a heated debate between the council and parishioners.
Gully Howard estate agents have confirmed the sale of 5/7 High Street in Bembridge, the listing will be live on their website Friday morning (July 20) with a guide price of £185,000.
BPC own 5/7 High Street which houses public toilets, Captain Stan’s and the former BPC chambers.
On May 29, BPC held a poll and asked the following question: “Do you want Bembridge Parish Council to sell 5/7 High Street – Yes or No”?
The poll concluded on June 28 when the parish voted “No” overwhelmingly, with 602 votes against the sale of Captain Stan’s Fish Store, to 231 for it.
BPC estimated the poll would cost around £3000 but it actually cost £1,370.30 with an uncontested election fee of £167.76, Isle of Wight Council documents seen by IW Observer show.
The poll came after a 1300 name petition against the sale of 5/7 High Street in January 2017.
The petition preceded an independent political group being set up, named Open Bembridge, whose campaign run in the May 2017 elections saw 10 out of 12 Open Bembridge councillors elected.
A recent council meeting on Tuesday (July 17) saw the police called when ex-councillor Alexander Hopkinson-Woolley launched into a scathing tirade of the councillors, citing “financial incompetence” as the reason for his speech.
During the meeting BPC chairman, Cllr Keith Fagan asked Mr Hopkinson-Woolley to “leave the hall” and called the police.
Cllr Fagan said to Mr Hopkinson-Woolley: “Perhaps I should release the transcripts of your emails to me, relating to other councillors on this parish [council]?”
Mr Hopkinson-Woolley cut off the chairman, he shouted: “You want to sell 5/7 High Street to hide the financial incompetence and dishonesty of the council. You’re hoping that selling it will bury your failures and incompetence.”
The police were called at 7.10pm on Tuesday (July 17) Hampshire Constabulary confirmed.
Cllr Fagan and Bembridge Parish Council have been asked for comment.
