ANGRY residents in Ventnor are revolting against what they have slammed as a "divided" and "dysfunctional" town council.
And such is the split within the town council, five members have issued their own statement disassociating themselves from their colleagues.
After months of infighting at Ventnor Town Council, and following the damning audit report on its management of the troubled Winter Gardens, an influential group, including Spyglass and Met Bar owner Neil Gibbs, town vicar the Rev Graham Morris, and TV producer Christine Benson, have finally had enough and called a town meeting.
Amid claims the council was making a mockery of governance, six residents have called the meeting for Wednesday at 7pm at Holy Trinity Church.
A spokesperson said: "We hope the public meeting will send a message to the town council to improve its future conduct and work for the good of the town and its residents."
They claim there is no confidence the precept will be properly spent or that the council can run the Winter Gardens.
Tina Bailey, town clerk, declined to comment on behalf of the council at this stage but Cllrs Buster Bartlett, Joan Garlick, Robbie Mew, Graham Perks and Susan Scoccia issued their own statement.
It said: "We wish to publicly dissociate ourselves from those town councillors who are bringing the town council into disrepute through their behaviour and lack of respect for officers, fellow councillors and the public which is therefore affecting the general running of the town council business."
Reporter: martinn@iwcpmail.co.uk