Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, County Hall, Newport, Isle of WIght

Contact: Sarah MacDonald  Email: democratic.services@iow.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

88.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 373 KB

To confirm as a true record the minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2023.

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2023 be approved.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2023 be approved.

 

89.

Declarations of Interest

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

Minutes:

There were no Declarations of Interest at this stage.

90.

Public Question Time - Maximum 15 Minutes for Written Questions and 15 Minutes for Oral Questions

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 Friday 5 May 2023.

Minutes:

There were no written questions received.

 

Mr A Jones on behalf of Sandown Community Association asked whether the council would reconsider its previous plans for Dinosaur Isle and whether residents would be consulted at an early stage regarding ideas coming forward for Dino Isle and the Bay area. The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment, Heritage, Human Resources and Legal & Democratic Services confirmed that a meeting had been held with five members of Sandown Town Council earlier in the week which had received a positive response. There would be a wider meeting with all interested parties as soon as possible, with various options put forward for consideration.

 

91.

Chairman's Announcements

Minutes:

No announcements were made.

92.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Education and Lifelong Skills

92a

Post 16 Transport Policy Statement 2023-24 pdf icon PDF 216 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

That Cabinet approves the proposed Post 16 Transport Policy Statement 2023 as set out in Appendix 1, which incorporates all elements of the previous year’s (2022) policy.

Minutes:

There was a statutory duty to publish the policy annually and a discretionary power to provide funded transport. The policy was for the 2023/24 academic year. Various groups, including schools, had been consulted in the formulation of the policy and the council’s position was the same as the previous year.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That Cabinet approves the proposed Post 16 Transport Policy Statement 2023 as set out in Appendix 1, which incorporates all elements of the previous year’s (2022) policy.

 

92b

Household Support Fund 4 pdf icon PDF 314 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

That Cabinet approves the following:

 

The approval of funding of up to £945,390 to be granted to provide food vouchers for up to 12,101 households, as detailed in paragraph 36 of the report.

 

A grant of £100,000 to be held by the connect4communities programme to be allocated to schools in the form of a discretionary grant that will enable them to provide financial support to families in need with food, generic uniform, warm clothing / bedding or wider essential, as detailed in paragraph 42 of the report.

 

A grant of £150,000 is made available to Citizens Advice for them to financially support over 500 households with fuel bills, provide a telephone signposting service to the connect4communities programme, offer an outreach support and advice service in Foodbank Café’s and Community Pantries and for the provision of energy efficient white goods where the need is identified.  Such grant will be provided on terms to be agreed by the Director of Children’s Services and in accordance with the grant criteria set out in paragraph 18 of the report.

 

Funding of £55,000 to be granted to the Footprint Trust to provide advice to households on reducing energy costs, and for the provision of energy efficient white goods across the Island, as well as items such as hot water tank insulation, draft excluders etc. in.  This grant is expected to benefit around 800 households.

 

Grants of £170,000 to be used to expand and support the network of community pantries across the Isle of Wight, offering a more sustainable approach to helping households, as detailed in paragraphs 55-58 of the report.  Such grants will be provided on terms to be agreed by the Director of Children’s Services.

 

A grant of £30,000 to be awarded to The Isle of Wight Foodbank for the purchase of food, energy efficient kitchen appliances and assisting with the set-up of a community garden to grow fresh vegetables, as detailed in paragraph 63 of the report.

 

It is recommended that Cabinet delegates approval to the Director of Children’s Services to approve community grant awards to organisations delivering services that meet the criteria of the grant (as set out in paragraph 18 of the report for targeted financial support for those in need until 31 March 2024 in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Lifelong Skills totalling £500,000.

 

Funding of up to £30,000 be ringfenced to commission Third Party Organisations to provide support and advice on budgeting, finances, maximising income as well as accessing other help, as detailed in paragraph 70 of the report.  Such grant will be provided on terms to be agreed by the Director of Children’s Services.

A grant of £45,000 to IW Carers who support c. 800 unpaid carers on the Island.  The grant is to be used to support 200 unpaid carers with clothing, travel, medical equipment, and kitchen appliances. Detail is set out in paragraph 72 of the report.

 

A grant of £50,000 to Age UK for the delivery of hygiene  ...  view the full decision text for item 92b

Minutes:

Councillor P Fuller declared an interest in this item and took no part in the discussion or the vote, as he was a trustee of the Footprint Trust, one of the proposed beneficiaries of the funding.

 

A list of the proposed funding to different organisations and the recommended amounts was given.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That Cabinet approves the following:

 

The approval of funding of up to £945,390 to be granted to provide food vouchers for up to 12,101 households, as detailed in paragraph 36 of the report.

 

A grant of £100,000 to be held by the connect4communities programme to be allocated to schools in the form of a discretionary grant that will enable them to provide financial support to families in need with food, generic uniform, warm clothing / bedding or wider essential, as detailed in paragraph 42 of the report.

 

A grant of £150,000 is made available to Citizens Advice for them to financially support over 500 households with fuel bills, provide a telephone signposting service to the connect4communities programme, offer an outreach support and advice service in Foodbank Cafés and Community Pantries and for the provision of energy efficient white goods where the need is identified.  Such grant will be provided on terms to be agreed by the Director of Children’s Services and in accordance with the grant criteria set out in paragraph 18 of the report.

 

Funding of £55,000 to be granted to the Footprint Trust to provide advice to households on reducing energy costs, and for the provision of energy efficient white goods across the Island, as well as items such as hot water tank insulation, draft excluders etc. in.  This grant is expected to benefit around 800 households.

 

Grants of £170,000 to be used to expand and support the network of community pantries across the Isle of Wight, offering a more sustainable approach to helping households, as detailed in paragraphs 55-58 of the report.  Such grants will be provided on terms to be agreed by the Director of Children’s Services.

 

A grant of £30,000 to be awarded to The Isle of Wight Foodbank for the purchase of food, energy efficient kitchen appliances and assisting with the set-up of a community garden to grow fresh vegetables, as detailed in paragraph 63 of the report.

 

It is recommended that Cabinet delegates approval to the Director of Children’s Services to approve community grant awards to organisations delivering services that meet the criteria of the grant (as set out in paragraph 18 of the report for targeted financial support for those in need until 31 March 2024 in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Lifelong Skills totalling £500,000.

 

Funding of up to £30,000 be ringfenced to commission Third Party Organisations to provide support and advice on budgeting, finances, maximising income as well as accessing other help, as detailed in paragraph 70 of the report.  Such grant will be provided on terms to be agreed by the Director of Children’s Services.

A grant of £45,000 to IW Carers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92b

93.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health

93a

Dementia Hub at Parklands, Cowes pdf icon PDF 734 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Option 1:  That Cabinet approves a 25-year lease of the Parklands Centre to be awarded to the Alzheimer Café IW for the purpose of developing an IW Dementia Hub.  Where terms of the lease are to be agreed, delegated authority shall be given to the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing Needs

Minutes:

There were currently 2655 Islanders over 65 with dementia and estimated to rise to 3920 by the year 2030. It was proposed that Parklands in Cowes would be used by the Alzheimer Café and work was ongoing with other organisations to develop the service. Frontline debt management would also be incorporated into the facility, along with memory groups, a gym and wellbeing area and would provide short term day respite care. Room-hire would generate income. The current cost of residential care was £1200-£2000 per week. Funding would be used for people to live independently in their own home, resulting in a saving to the council.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That Cabinet approves a 25-year lease of the Parklands Centre to be awarded to the Alzheimer Café IW for the purpose of developing an IW Dementia Hub.  Where terms of the lease are to be agreed, delegated authority shall be given to the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing Needs.

 

93b

Adult Social Care CQC Briefing Paper and Self-Assessment pdf icon PDF 196 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the introduction of the Care Quality Commission’s new inspection framework be noted, and that Cabinet and senior staff fully appraise themselves and promote the direction of assurance, supporting Adult Social Care and Housing Needs to showcase the positive and reflective impact it has on residents.  Strategic and partner support is required to support the oversight and impact of assurance.

Minutes:

There was to be a new inspection framework for the CQC, at the request of the government. This self-assessment was to prepare for the inspection. A councillors’ briefing session was to be held on 2 June 2023.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the introduction of the Care Quality Commission’s new inspection framework be noted, and that Cabinet and senior staff fully appraise themselves and promote the direction of assurance, supporting Adult Social Care and Housing Needs to showcase the positive and reflective impact it has on residents.  Strategic and partner support is required to support the oversight and impact of assurance.

 

94.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment, Heritage, Human Resources and Legal and Democratic Services

94a

Dinosaur Isle – future provision pdf icon PDF 281 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet notes the outcome of the Julia Holberry Associates’ report in that;

 

a)    The Dinosaur Isle Museum should remain in Sandown

 

b)    The council should seek a partner to support the management of the Collection (Academic or and/or Museum Partner)

 

c)     The council should explore the options for a Trust (with a commercial operation) to operate the Dinosaur Island Museum.

 

d)    That Cabinet provides delegated authority for the Director of Neighbourhoods, in consultation with the Cabinet member for Climate Change, Environment, Heritage, Human Resources and Legal and Democratic Service, to enter into further negotiations with the Natural History Museum regarding the management of the collection, and the Hampshire Cultural Trust regarding the management of Dinosaur Isle.

 

e)    That a further report to Cabinet will seek approval for the council to enter any such arrangements following the results of the MEND funding application in December 2023 and that Democratic Services note a further report for the Forward Plan.

 

Minutes:

A meeting had taken place with Town Councillors for the area to give more of an understanding as to the work that was ongoing as part of the bigger plans for the area, to tie in with the place plan for Sandown. There was a lot of interest in the site, with a number of high-level stakeholders including the Natural History Museum. Work was underway to try and secure a large amount of MEND funding to develop the museum, with a bid due to be submitted in December 2023. Further consultation with the local community was proposed.

 

RESOLVED:

 

Cabinet notes the outcome of the Julia Holberry Associates’ report in that;

 

a)    The Dinosaur Isle Museum should remain in Sandown

 

b)    The council should seek a partner to support the management of the Collection (Academic or and/or Museum Partner)

 

c)     The council should explore the options for a Trust (with a commercial operation) to operate the Dinosaur Island Museum.

 

d)    That Cabinet provides delegated authority for the Director of Neighbourhoods, in consultation with the Cabinet member for Climate Change, Environment, Heritage, Human Resources and Legal and Democratic Service, to enter into further negotiations with the Natural History Museum regarding the management of the collection, and the Hampshire Cultural Trust regarding the management of Dinosaur Isle.

 

          e)   That a further report to Cabinet will seek approval for the council to enter any such arrangements following the results of the MEND            funding application in December 2023 and that Democratic Services note a further report for the Forward Plan.

95.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Highways PFI and Transport

95a

Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIP’s) pdf icon PDF 248 KB

Decision:

That Cabinet approves all three LCWIPs in the respective areas of the Island outlined, and to work with key local, regional and national stakeholders to seek funding to deliver the proposed infrastructure improvements.

 

That council staff, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member(s) undertake the required public consultation with a view to the council adopting all three LCWIPs as Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) that can then be used as a material consideration in planning decision making.

 

Minutes:

Cllr Bacon declared a non-pecuniary interest as he was a member of St Helens and Brading Parish Councils which had financially contributed to the LCWIPs. Cllr Jordan also declared a non-pecuniary interest for the same reason as he was a member of St Helens Parish Council, and Cllr Fuller declared a non-pecuniary interest for the same reason as a member of Cowes Town Council, Northwood Parish Council and Gurnard Parish Council.

 

Clarification was given that these were plans, not projects and were to give an overview only. They had been out for consultation and plans had been formulated in readiness for grant funding bids in the future. They would form part of the Local Transport Plan 4 which would be coming shortly and were proposed to be included as Supplementary Planning Documents following further consultation later in the year. 

 

RESOLVED:

 

That Cabinet approves all three LCWIPs in the respective areas of the Island outlined, and to work with key local, regional and national stakeholders to seek funding to deliver the proposed infrastructure improvements.

 

That council staff, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member(s) undertake the required public consultation with a view to the council adopting all three LCWIPs as Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) that can then be used as a material consideration in planning decision making.

 

96.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Enforcement

96a

Adoption of new Planning Enforcement Strategy pdf icon PDF 260 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

To adopt the Planning Enforcement Strategy, introduce the approach to delivering planning enforcement as set out in the strategy and continue to collaborate with parish, town and community councils about the most appropriate models of delivering additional enforcement capacity.

 

and

 

To delegate to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Enforcement and the Strategic Manager for Planning and Infrastructure Delivery the ability to agree to make minor presentational, consequential and typographical changes to the Planning Enforcement Strategy, as long as any changes do not materially change the content of the strategy agreed by Cabinet.

Minutes:

The recent peer review had identified enforcement as an issue. The strategy had been made fit for purpose and consultation had taken place with Town Parish and Community Councils to identify their priorities. Newport & Carisbrooke CC had funded an additional post in the enforcement team  and other TPCs were to be encouraged to take part.

 

RESOLVED:

 

To adopt the Planning Enforcement Strategy, introduce the approach to delivering planning enforcement as set out in the strategy and continue to collaborate with parish, town and community councils about the most appropriate models of delivering additional enforcement capacity.

 

and

 

To delegate to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Enforcement and the Strategic Manager for Planning and Infrastructure Delivery the ability to agree to make minor presentational, consequential and typographical changes to the Planning Enforcement Strategy, as long as any changes do not materially change the content of the strategy agreed by Cabinet.

 

96b

Draft Island Planning Strategy pdf icon PDF 242 KB

Decision:

 

Option 4 - To not agree with the recommendation and to not progress either route as set out and for Cabinet to propose an alternative, as below;

 

The Leader will provide a verbal update to Full Council on 17 May 2023.

 

This verbal update will satisfy the Full Council motion agreed in January 2023 requiring the Cabinet to inform Full Council by the end of June 2023 of the Cabinet’s approach to taking the Draft IPS forward.

 

The Cabinet is not bringing forward the Draft IPS at this moment in time, as the proposed changed to national planning policy and transitional arrangements have not yet been confirmed and published by the government. As soon as practicable after the government have done this, and Cabinet has understood the implications on local plan-making, Cabinet will come back to Full Council setting out how it proposes to progress the draft local plan.

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

The cabinet member reported that feedback from the government on the NPPF was still awaited. It would therefore not be appropriate to make recommendations to Full Council until the NPPF was published. Consideration was to be given to how ‘exceptional circumstances’ could be demonstrated. The cabinet member proposed an alternative recommendation and after some considerable discussion the recommendation was amended and it was

 

RESOLVED:

 

To not agree with the recommendation and to not progress either route as set out and for Cabinet to propose an alternative, as below;

 

The Leader will provide a verbal update to Full Council on 17 May 2023.

 

This verbal update will satisfy the Full Council motion agreed in January 2023 requiring the Cabinet to inform Full Council by the end of June 2023 of the Cabinet’s approach to taking the Draft IPS forward.

 

The Cabinet is not bringing forward the Draft IPS at this moment in time, as the proposed changed to national planning policy and transitional arrangements have not yet been confirmed and published by the government. As soon as practicable after the government have done this, and Cabinet has understood the implications on local plan-making, Cabinet will come back to Full Council setting out how it proposes to progress the draft local plan.

 

 

 

97.

Cabinet Member Announcements

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

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Lifelong Skills reported that the annual report for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme had been published. 8950 hot meals had been provided to young people attending the schemes. 1375 had attended activities over the Easter holidays, 1414 in the summer and 897 over the Christmas period. Thanks were expressed to all activity providers and staff.

 

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment, Heritage, Human Resources and Legal & Democratic Services reported that the final formal application was almost ready to apply for Dark Skies status for the Island. The expression of interest had been formally approved and letters of support were awaited prior to formal designation.

 

The Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Highways PFI and Transport reported that the EV Charging Point strategy would be released soon. There had been a successful grant funding bid which had resulted in £330,000, some of which was to be used for an additional member of staff to help deliver the strategy.

 

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health reported that the ICB had ended their annual grant to support service for hearing aids as from the end of May. There had been a service for over 30 years. Comments would be submitted to Healthwatch and the Cabinet Member would look into this further.

 

The Cabinet Member for Community Protection, Regulatory Services and Waste reported that the Police and Crime Commissioner, with the local Superintendent and Inspectors had agreed to meet residents on 19 May at the Ryde Castle Hotel.

 

The Cabinet Member for Digital Transformation, Housing, Homelessness and Poverty reported that there was an ongoing struggle with housing issues. An Empty Property Strategy was being devised. Discussions had taken place with housing providers and councillors from across the authority regarding a solution for temporary accommodation without overspending. In the previous week there had been 15 children in B&B accommodation.

 

98.

Consideration of the Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 357 KB

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

Minutes:

The contents were noted. There was to be an item for Dinosaur Isle put onto the Forward Plan for an update paper following the funding bid at the end of the year.

99.

Members' Question Time

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 9 May 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.

 

Minutes:

There were no Members’ questions.