MEMBERS of the public and press have once again been excluded from an update on the local authority’s involvement in much-needed repairs to Basingstoke ice rink - much to the frustration of interested parties.

At a meeting of the Community, Environment and Partnerships committee this evening (March 17), members received an update on discussions between Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, the landlord Standard Securities, and operator Planet Ice, regarding the financing of repair work to the Leisure Park rink’s ice “pad”.

The council has previously stated that it does not finance private companies, however Planet Ice claims the rink’s problems date back to before the building was sold to them by the council, and therefore that the council holds some responsibility for repair costs.

Chairing the meeting, Cllr Paul Gaskell said: “We are still in the process where we are discussing financial issues so I have asked to take this out of the public meeting.”

However, he read a short public update from council officers which said: “Discussion with Planet Ice have continued since the last update in January. Agreement has not been reached on how Planet Ice are going to fund the ice rink repairs.”

Speaking at the meeting, Heath Rhodes, chief operating officer of Planet Ice, asked members if they were aware that Standard Securities had offered to extend the ice rink operators’ lease by a further 20 years, and also reminded councillors that Planet Ice has previously offered a £750,000 contribution towards repairs, an offer which he says still stands.

He added: “I’m a little bit disappointed that yet again two major stakeholders in this - the ice rink operator and the Basingstoke public - find themselves in situations where they are being deprived of understanding what the communications are. It would have been good to stay involved.”

Responding to his question of members’ awareness of discussion, Kate Dean, council officer, said: “This will all be covered in the closed session”.

Also voicing her concern about the closed session, Sally Cashman, chair of the ice rink users’ forum, said: “I’d like to start by thanking members of the committee that have helped and supported the campaign. I’d also like to thank the officers, who have been really helpful.

“Unfortunately, in spite of everyone’s efforts, we don’t seem to be any further forward than we were two or three years ago. I think it's time Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council accepted that their actions, while undoubtedly unintentional, make the council at least partly culpable for the condition of the ice rink.

“Please could a statement be issued after this meeting to let the many people who care about the ice rink know what is happening, before those people decide how to vote in the upcoming elections.”

Cllr Gaskin responded by saying that progress has been made over the past two years, adding: “It probably doesn't look like we're making progress but we have had several reports, several studies done, identified potential alternative sites for an ice rink.

“I’m sorry you feel like you do but we are trying, that’s all I can say.”

Concluding the public discussion, Cllr John Izett, cabinet member for regeneration and property, said : “I want to acknowledge that yes, of course, you and the ice rink supporters do need to know and are entitled to get an update and we will give an update after this meeting, but we are in the midst of sensitive discussions with Planet Ice and that's why it important we can update the committee in private this evening.”

The meeting then moved into a private session.