Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2023.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2023 be approved.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2023 be approved.

To invite Members to declare any interest they might have in the matters on the agenda.

Councillor Jones-Evans declared an interest in minute number xxxxx relating to the IW Festival as she owned a property nearby. Cllr Lucioni declared an interest in the same item as she had purchased tickets for the IW Festival and Cllr Jarman also declared an interest in the same item as he had been given tickets for the festival, although he had donated them for fundraising purposes.

Questions may be asked without notice but to guarantee a full reply at the meeting, a question must be put including the name and address of the questioner by delivery in writing or by electronic mail to Democratic Services at democratic.services@iow.gov.uk, no later than two clear working days before the start of the meeting. Normally, Cabinet is held on Thursday, therefore the deadline for written questions will be Monday 6 February 2023.

A written question was received from Carol Jones (PQ 04-23) relating to the proposed traffic restrictions in St Catherine’s Street, Ventnor. A response was provided later in the meeting.

Written questions were received from Christopher Messer (PQ 05-23) and Susie and John Gosling (PQ 06-23) relating to the cuts to the stroke support service proposed in the budget. The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health provided a response to both questions.

The Chairman had no announcements to make.

That Cabinet approves the 2024/2025 school admissions arrangements.

There was a statutory requirement each year to publish the admission arrangements for the following school year before 28 February. It was noted that four island primary schools were reducing their published admission number (PAN) due to the falling birth rate on the island. A separate report on school place planning would be coming to Cabinet in June 2023.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the 2024/2025 school admissions arrangements.

Cabinet approves the proposed restrictions that are subject to this report in relation to The Isle of Wight Council (Various Streets, Ventnor) (Traffic Regulation) Order No 1 2022; The Isle of Wight Council (Esplanade, Ventnor) (Parking Places) Order No 1 2022; The Isle of Wight Council (Designated Loading Bays) Order No 1 2022with amendment - to abandon the proposals in some locations, and to implement the rest of the restrictions.

To abandon proposals for Scheme 2 – St Catherine’s Street, Ventnor and not proceed with any TRO for this road.

That Scheme 1 – Albert Street, Ventnor, be deferred to a later date pending further detailed investigation and research on the proposal.

That Scheme 4 – Park Avenue, Ventnor, be deferred until a later date pending further detailed investigation and research on the proposal.

This was the latest in a number of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) being brought forward to address concerns raised over a long period of time by businesses, residents and Town, Parish and Community Councils. A petition had been received regarding the proposals in St Catherine’s Street, Ventnor signed by over 600 people.

RESOLVED:

Cabinet approves the proposed restrictions that are subject to this report in relation to The Isle of Wight Council (Various Streets, Ventnor) (Traffic Regulation) Order No 1 2022; The Isle of Wight Council (Esplanade, Ventnor) (Parking Places) Order No 1 2022; The Isle of Wight Council (Designated Loading Bays) Order No 1 2022 with amendment - to abandon the proposals in some locations, and to implement the rest of the restrictions.

To abandon proposals for Scheme 2 – St Catherine’s Street, Ventnor and not proceed with any TRO for this road.

That Scheme 1 – Albert Street, Ventnor, be deferred to a later date pending further detailed investigation and research on the proposal.

That Scheme 4 – Park Avenue, Ventnor, be deferred until a later date pending further detailed investigation and research on the proposal.

To agree the terms set out in the report for a new five (5) year agreement with Isle of Wight Festival Ltd. to stage the IW Festival for the period 2023-2027 inclusive and to instruct the Director of Regeneration in liaison with the Leader of the Isle of Wight Council to conclude the details of the agreement, including provision to terminate where necessary.

Councillor Jones-Evans left the room for this item. A new 5-year agreement was being sought for the use of council owned land by the Isle of Wight Festival organisers. A tariff based green levy had been agreed, which would contribute to the council’s Mission Zero projects. It was hoped that the festival would become the ‘greenest’ festival in the UK making the island more attractive. In response to concerns raised it was confirmed that the council would keep the agreed bond for the duration of the five years, and also that reassurance had been received regarding the traffic management plans for the event.

RESOLVED:

To agree the terms set out in the report for a new five (5) year agreement with Isle of Wight Festival Ltd. to stage the IW Festival for the period 2023-2027 inclusive and to instruct the Director of Regeneration in liaison with the Leader of the Isle of Wight Council to conclude the details of the agreement, including provision to terminate where necessary.

That Cabinet approves the Performance and Finance Report for the Quarter ended 31 December 2022, and the priority report detail as set out in appendices 1-10,together with the council’s financial position as set out in appendices 11-12.

The report was for the period to end December 2022. It was noted that a number of assumptions had been used and that the issues in Ukraine and national government directly impacted on the financial settlement received. A few points were highlighted, including the following:

• The number of One Leisure cards had increased and the number of memberships was now at 78 per cent of the pre-covid level.
• 97.28 per cent of waste was not going to landfill.
• The floating bridge had been operational for 98.6 per cent of its scheduled working hours.
• The waiting list for inspections for the Disabled Facilities Grant had reduced from 102 down to 24.
• The SALIX project to replace windows and upgrade heating in county hall would result in an annual saving of £282,937 in energy costs. It was confirmed that despite rumours in the media, county hall was not due to be demolished.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the Performance and Finance Report for the Quarter ended 31 December 2022, and the priority report detail as set out in appendices 1-10, together with the council’s financial position as set out in appendices 11-12.

That Cabinet recommends to Full Council to adopt the discretionary rate relief schemes as outlined in the Autumn statement 2022 and to ensure that the reliefs are applied to eligible accounts for the financial year 2023/24.

That delegated authority be granted to the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Transformational Change and Corporate Resources to agree further legislative changes to the discretionary rates relief scheme.

This was a government initiative to assist businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors and small businesses.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet recommends to Full Council to adopt the discretionary rate relief schemes as outlined in the Autumn statement 2022 and to ensure that the reliefs are applied to eligible accounts for the financial year 2023/24.

That delegated authority be granted to the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Transformational Change and Corporate Resources to agree further legislative changes to the discretionary rates relief scheme.

That Cabinet adopt Option (a) as detailed below in that the heat networks rates relief scheme be implemented from 1 April 2022 and 100% relief is granted to those properties identified by the Valuation Office as using low carbon networks on the Island.

This was a government scheme to give 100 per cent relief to eligible Low Carbon networks. One organisation on the island had been identified as being eligible.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet adopt Option (a) as detailed below in that the heat networks rates relief scheme be implemented from 1 April 2022 and 100% relief is granted to those properties identified by the Valuation Office as using low carbon networks on the Island.

That the Cabinet adopt the draft Council Tax Support Grant scheme as attached in Appendix 1 to provide additional support to eligible Local Council Tax Support claimants as at 1 April 2023.

That a discretionary scheme is developed which awards £25 to newly eligible LCTS claimants after 1 April 2023 and to delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Transformational Change and Corporate Resources to agree further details of the discretionary scheme.

The report was outlined, and it was noted that a trend was being shown towards the pledge made in the previous year to take the amount of relief towards 70% with a further increase if possible thereafter.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet adopt the draft Council Tax Support Grant scheme as attached in Appendix 1 to provide additional support to eligible Local Council Tax Support claimants as at 1 April 2023.

That a discretionary scheme is developed which awards £25 to newly eligible LCTS claimants after 1 April 2023 and to delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Transformational Change and Corporate Resources to agree further details of the discretionary scheme.

1.    That the Cabinet endorse the following:

(a)   The recommendations to the Council set out below.

It is recommended that the Council approve the following:

(a)    The revised Revenue Budget for the financial year 2022/23 and the Revenue Budget for the financial year 2023/24 as set out in the General Fund Summary (Appendix 1) which includes:

(i)      Additional spending in Adult Social Care of £7.6m and Children's  Services of £4.3m

(ii)    No Revenue Contribution to Capital in 2022/23 or 2023/24

(iii)   The Covid Contingency estimated at £4.2m, to guard against continuing and legacy risks

(b)    Any variation arising from the Local Government Finance Settlement 2023/24 or any further savings made in 2022/23 arising at the year-end (after allowing for specific carry forward requests) be transferred to the Revenue Reserve for Capital, Covid Contingency, Transformation Reserve, and General Reserves with the level of each transfer to be determined by the S.151 Officer.

(c)    That the level of Council Tax be increased by 2.99% for general purposes in accordance with the referendum threshold^[1] for 2023/24 announced by Government (as calculated in Appendix 2)

(d)    That the level of Council Tax be increased by a further 2.0% beyond the referendum threshold (as calculated in Appendix 2) to take advantage of the flexibility offered by Government to implement a "Social Care Precept"; and that in accordance with the conditions of that flexibility, the full amount of the associated sum generated of £1,872,500 is passported direct to Adult Social Care

(e)    That the amounts set out in Appendix 2 be now calculated by the Council for the financial year 2023/24 in accordance with Section 31 and Sections 34 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992

(f)     The S.151 Officer be given delegated authority to implement any variation to the overall level of Council Tax arising from the final notification of the Hampshire Police & Crime Commissioner, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Authority and Parish and Town Council precepts, and amend the calculations set out in Appendix 2 accordingly

(g)    The savings proposals for each Portfolio amounting, in total, to £3.895m for 2023/24 and continuing into future years as set out on the next page:

The Leader left the meeting part way through this item and Cllr Stephens took the Chair.

Cuts and savings had been made across all services to reach a balanced budget. The burden of cuts would fall mainly on discretionary services. The Cabinet were mindful of the concerns of the S.151 officer as to the fragility of the budget, and that every opportunity should be made for income generation. Between now and October 2023 the budget would be acutely monitored, savings made, and revenue generated. Members would not give up fighting for the Island Deal and continue to work hard to obtain government funding.

Some queries were raised by Cllr Garratt regarding the cost of replacement of mobile phones and the cut to the library book fund, which would be debated further at Full Council, and by Cllr Brodie regarding the cost of upgrading of ICT equipment and number of possible staff cuts. It was confirmed that whilst an actual number could not be provided, the loss of staff would be a last resort.

RESOLVED:

1.   1.    That the Cabinet endorse the following:

(a)   The recommendations to the Council set out below.

2.             It is recommended that the Council approve the following:

(a)    The revised Revenue Budget for the financial year 2022/23 and the Revenue Budget for the financial year 2023/24 as set out in the General Fund Summary (Appendix 1) which includes:

(i)       Additional spending in Adult Social Care of £7.6m and Children's Services of £4.3m

(ii)      No Revenue Contribution to Capital in 2022/23 or 2023/24

(iii)     The Covid Contingency estimated at £4.2m, to guard against continuing and legacy risks

(b)    Any variation arising from the Local Government Finance Settlement 2023/24 or any further savings made in 2022/23 arising at the year-end (after allowing for specific carry forward requests) be transferred to the Revenue Reserve for Capital, Covid Contingency, Transformation Reserve, and General Reserves with the level of each transfer to be determined by the S.151 Officer.

(c)    That the level of Council Tax be increased by 2.99% for general purposes in accordance with the referendum threshold^[4] for 2023/24 announced by Government (as calculated in Appendix 2)

(d)    That the level of Council Tax be increased by a further 2.0% beyond the referendum threshold (as calculated in Appendix 2) to take advantage of the flexibility offered by Government to implement a "Social Care Precept"; and that in accordance with the conditions of that flexibility, the full amount of the associated sum generated of £1,872,500 is passported direct to Adult Social Care

(e)    That the amounts set out in Appendix 2 be now calculated by the Council for the financial year 2023/24 in accordance with Section 31 and Sections 34 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992

(f)     The S.151 Officer be given delegated authority to implement any variation to the overall level of Council Tax arising from the final notification of the Hampshire Police & Crime Commissioner, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Authority and Parish and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73e

To invite Cabinet Members to provide a brief update on matters concerning their portfolio.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Lifelong Skills reported that there was to be an Inclusive Island Conference on 16 February to discuss accessibility and ensure the best experience for residents, workers and visitors.

A meeting had been held with Yarmouth Town Council working party regarding the future use of the former Yarmouth Primary site.

The DfE had announced that the island would be one of 14 areas to deliver family hubs, with up to £1 million of funding to follow.

The Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism reported that Building 41, a space for co-working and hot desking, had opened successfully, with 120 people attending the opening. Two Area Regeneration Officers had been appointed with funding for the Shared Prosperity Fund to look at the Bay area.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health reported that he was concerned over the merger of the NHS trust with Portsmouth and the possible implications for the Island.

The Cabinet Member for Community Protection, Regulatory Services and Waste reported that she had visited the waste plant at Forest Road and was surprised at the amount of waste that needed to be removed from recycling. A reminder was given to residents to put the correct items into the recycling bin. The issue of disposable vapes was being looked into to find the best method of disposal.

Cabinet Members to identify decisions which need to be amended, added or to be removed from the Forward Plan.

The new item on the Cultural Strategy was highlighted and people were encouraged to complete the consultation.

A delegated decision was due to be made for the Statement of Intent for the Eco Flex scheme.

To guarantee a reply to a question, a question  must be submitted in writing or by electronic mail to democratic.services@iow.gov.uk no later than 5pm on Tuesday 7 February 2023. A question may be asked at the meeting without prior notice but in these circumstances there is no guarantee that a full reply will be given at the meeting.

Councillor Lilley submitted a written question (MQ 04-23) which was read out and a summarised response was given by the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Lifelong Skills. The full response would be forwarded to Cllr Lilley.