The councillor in charge of the Isle of Wight's floating bridge admits secrecy over a financial settlement is "not ideal", but it was "confidentiality or no agreement".
Defending the local authority's decision to withhold the figure, Cllr Phil Jordan said "it wasn't something the council asked for" — and it was either that, or a lengthy High Court battle.
He again refused to disclose details of the settlement in an interview with Isle of Wight Radio this morning (Monday). He also admitted the Island could be between two and three years away from getting a new chain ferry.
Criticism over a 'lack of transparency' has been aimed at the council since it revealed a legal mediation with the boat's builders and creators had ended last week.
A leading Isle of Wight councillor claimed the 'secrecy' amounted to a 'gagging order'.
Cllr Jordan said the council was faced with a difficult choice:
"I can't speak about the settlement because it's a signed legal agreement. The settlement came about because commercial confidentiality was required.
"Without the commercial confidentiality there was no settlement. It's as simple as that. It's not something the council asked for.
"It's not ideal. Personally I would've preferred to be completely open and transparent about all of this. But that's not how the commercial world works and they were not prepared to offer and settle without confidentiality."
Cllr Jordan also revealed a procurement process for a new chain ferry is expected to start shortly.
Although he couldn't say how much it would cost, he said he anticipates a replacement could be "roughly two and a half" years away.
There is also a high chance the vessel would be electric, he said.
Speaking to Isle of Wight Radio, he said:
"We've got people coming to the Island in a couple of weeks' time to assist the council with the potential procurement of a new vessel."
Asked whether it's likely it would be scrapped, he said:
"I'd like to say yes, I hope so. But we're going to explore all the options. There are a couple of options on this floating bridge.
"One of them is thrusters on the bows but we don't think that's going to work.
"We're going to make sure that's discounted, if we can. And then move on to procuring a vessel which is better."
Listen to Cllr Phil Jordan on Topping in the Morning:
Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Rape Following Meeting With Underage Girl
Hovertravel Boss To Step Down After 15 Years At The Helm
Owners Of Seaside Town 'Eyesore' Fail To Carry Out Works Despite £8,000 Fine
Celebrating 35 Years Of Walk The Wight: Registration Opens For 2025
Emergency Services Called To Wightlink Ferry After 'Sudden Death' Of Man
New £6.7m Mental Health Facility To Open On Newport High Street
'Shocking, Misplaced And Reckless': Village Residents Hit Out At Housing Plan
Highest Number Of Police Officers For Hampshire And Isle Of Wight Constabulary In A Decade
Emergency Services Called To Newport Petrol Station After Car Crashes Into Kiosk
"There's Likely To Be In Excess Of 200 Redundancies": Island Trade Unionists On School Plans
High Sheriff Presents Inaugural Maritime Volunteers Award To Cowes RNLI Station
Education Cabinet Member Faces Renewed Round Of Questions From Concerned Residents
Man Jailed After burglaries Armed With Baseball Bat And Firearm
Retailers Say Hampshire & Isle Of Wight Constabulary Is Best At Responding To Retail Crime
Full Council Opposes School Closure Plans In Blow To Cabinet
Eight Electric Vehicle Charging Bays Could Be Installed In Isle Of Wight Town Centre
New Drop-In Sessions Announced For Isle Of Wight Dementia Strategy Review
Plans To Enhance Luxury Freshwater Seafront Hotel Approved
Thousands Of Pounds Of Investment Needed If Housing Development Goes
