By Rufus Pickles - Local Democracy Reporter
The mayor of Ventnor has said his town council’s finances are in “dire straits”, and could reduce its funding for a local library.
Cllr Steve Cooper told Ventnor Town Council (VTC) on Monday that the authority needs to “start finding some money very quickly” and was “not in a good place” – a year on from making similar remarks.
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.
“The Isle of Wight Council has an obligation to keep libraries open.”
He blamed the poor finances on backfilling “staff absences” and “outstanding building costs”.
Carole Dennett 
Mal Butler