Issue - meetings

a)              To receive the Leader’s update report (5 minutes maximum).

b)              Members questions on the Leader’s update report (15 minutes maximum).

The Leader advised that £21 million from government had been invested in Island schools including West Wight and no child will go hungry this Christmas. Over £38 million had been agreed for investment in the Ryde Interchange and the Island Line Improvement Plan, a further £8 million for St Marys and other road improvements in Newport. The Local Outbreak Engagement Board were doing all they could to ensure Island residents were kept safe.

He raised concern regarding the threat of drug abuse and other drug related crime on the Island which were leading to issues relating to safeguarding children. He had spoken with Hampshire police and an all member briefing would be arranged.

Government funding announcements were expected for the forthcoming year, the options to deliver savings were being investigated, this was proving challenging and a letter had been sent to Government regarding the Island deal.

Questions were raised regarding how residents were being kept safe and how the council was protecting and creating jobs. Members were advised that through the Local Outbreak Engagement Board, residents were being provided with as much information as possible. With the purchase of Venture Quays jobs had been created on the site for young people on the Island.

The Leader expressed his disappointment at the decision by Wightlink to remove the fast-cat service from Ryde Pier head, discussions were ongoing with the company and the Department for Transport as it was an important service for Island residents.

Questions were raised regarding the tier (Covid-19 alert level) the Island would be in when the national lockdown ends at the beginning of December. Members were advised that a number of issues would be taken into consideration including number of cases on the Island, and the status of the health system on the Island.

It was advised that additional funding had been received from government during the pandemic, some of which was to be distributed to Island businesses, the Leader advised that he would supply a more detailed written response regarding funding and homelessness on the Island.

RESOLVED:

THAT the Leaders update be noted.