THE senior councillor involved with repair worked needed on the Basingstoke ice rink has said he has requested a "further meeting" with the head of Planet Ice after the operator issued a statement hitting back at comments made by him.

Cabinet member for regeneration and property Cllr John Izett described the statement, issued jointly by Planet Ice's chief operating officer Heath Rhodes and landlord Standard Securities, as "helpful", and stated that while the £1.5 million council contribution requested would not be possible, he is "keen to explore options for investment".

The statement was in response to comments made by Cllr Izette, expressing "disappointment" at the operators' financial request. It reiterated that the two companies believe the damage to the rink to have stemmed from work carried out by the council in 2000, and said that the survival of the rink in the long-term was subject to council support.

Cllr Izett said: “It is helpful to have the detailed statement from Mr Rhodes of Planet Ice. As a council, we want productive discussions with the landlord Standard Securities and the operator Planet Ice to find a way forward to put the future of the ice rink on a firmer footing.

"The two companies are responsible for maintaining the ice rink in good repair. We have explained that we cannot give £1.5 million to a commercial business as a subsidy with no return for public money, but we remain keen to explore options for investment with the two businesses."

Referencing the next steps forward, he added: “Refurbishment of the existing rink is the best long term solution, as part of a wider redevelopment of the leisure park. The two companies both have long term leases, Planet Ice to 2061.

“It is important that we try to find a resolution and, in an effort to achieve this, I have asked for a further meeting with Mr Rhodes of Planet Ice."