Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm as a true record the Record of Decision of the meeting held on 12 May 2022.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 May 2022 be approved.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 May 2022 be approved.

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

Cllr Lucioni declared an interest in Item 6a relating to Concessionary Travel Reimbursement as her son worked for a local bus company.

Cllr Jarman declared an interest in Item 5a relating to the Quarterly Performance Monitoring Report, as his father was under a care plan with the council.

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, 13 June 2022.

There were no public questions received.

The Chairman had attended the staff awards ceremony and had been very moved to see the hard work of the staff during COVID. Many people had gone above and beyond. The Chairman requested that a condensed version of the staff awards be made available as a presentation.

That Cabinet approves the Performance and Finance Report for the Quarter ended 31 March 2022, and the priority report detail as set out in appendices 1-9.

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Transformational Change and Corporate Resources was grateful that the Corporate Scrutiny Committee had taken an interest in this report. Items highlighted included that the contact centre timings remained positive, the number of households in temporary accommodation had stabilised in Quarter 4.

The final accounts would not be declared by the due date, as a result of the auditors not being able to start on time.

QR codes were now operational at council building entrances to help those needing assistance.

The average gross weekly wage on the island had increased over the last few years but continued to lag behind the mainland, though the gap was closing. One of the priorities for the administration was to attract higher paid employment and recruit to those posts.

Some data was out of date due to COVID but would be improved for the next report.

The comments of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee were read out and noted.

Following this Cllr Spink asked a question in relation the nature of discussions with officers and portfolio holder referred to in the comments, concerning how to take key activity in respect of greenfield sites within the context of the Island Planning Strategy. The Cabinet member for Planning and Enforcement confirmed that discussions were ongoing, and a written response would be sent to Cllr Spink.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the Performance and Finance Report for the Quarter ended 31 March 2022, and the priority report detail as set out in appendices 1-9.

That Cabinet approves the proposal to maintain the pre-Covid levels of concessionary fares reimbursement for local bus operators for the financial year April 2022/to March 2023 in line with the DfT guidance to LTAs ‘Alternative Covid-19 Recovery Strategy’ (see appendix A). Which will enable monthly concessionary payments to be made at a Pre Covid-19 reimbursement level, on the basis that local bus services are likewise maintained at an equivalent to Pre Covid levels.

Cabinet approves the development of a business case to ringfence the remaining revenue funding currently budgeted for concessionary travel reimbursement, above the outlined levels of reimbursement, for the purpose of using the funding should it be necessary to provide further support to maintain levels bus services on the Island, again in line with the latest DfT guidance to LTAs.

The report concerned a means of reimbursing travel operators for the COVID period when the number of passengers had been reduced. Government guidance suggested that the pre-COVID level of reimbursement for 2022/23 should be maintained, to be reviewed in 2023/24 at returning to the level prior to COVID. The number of concessionary bus pass holders had reduced to 80 per cent of the previous number, therefore in order to prevent operators from cutting services or frequency of services an agreement would be sought with operators to maintain the pre-COVID levels of reimbursement until March 2023.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the proposal to maintain the pre-Covid levels of concessionary fares reimbursement for local bus operators for the financial year April 2022/to March 2023 in line with the DfT guidance to LTAs ‘Alternative Covid-19 Recovery Strategy’ (see appendix A). Which will enable monthly concessionary payments to be made at a Pre Covid-19 reimbursement level, on the basis that local bus services are likewise maintained at an equivalent to Pre Covid levels.

Cabinet approves the development of a business case to ringfence the remaining revenue funding currently budgeted for concessionary travel reimbursement, above the outlined levels of reimbursement, for the purpose of using the funding should it be necessary to provide further support to maintain levels bus services on the Island, again in line with the latest DfT guidance to LTAs.

That Cabinet approves the changes to parking places as set out in the Isle of Wight Council (Parking Places) Order 2022 at appendix 3, subject to a project assessment that takes into account the timeframes for the development scheme to be delivered under Social Prosperity Grant Fund at that site.

The land which was the proposed subject of the Order was part of a Social Prosperity Fund application which had been successful and was destined to be used for housing. There was a limited amount of time in which to spend the money, in the meantime the Administration needed to raise income to offset some of the loss from government grants and were proposing to charge for parking on the land until the housing was commenced. The Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Highways PFI and Transport amended the recommendation at the meeting to make any approval of the recommendation subject to a project assessment that would take into account the timeframes for the development scheme to be delivered.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the changes to parking places as set out in the Isle of Wight Council (Parking Places) Order 2022 at appendix 3, subject to a project assessment that takes into account the timeframes for the development scheme to be delivered under Social Prosperity Grant Fund at that site.

That Cabinet instructs the Director of Regeneration to arrange for the submission of the “Island Green Link” project as the councils bid to the government’s Levelling Up Fund - Round 2

Councillor Jones-Evans declared an interest in this item as she was the Chairman of Newport Heritage Action Zone.

Cllr Fuller declared an interest as he was the Chairman of the Local Access Forum which had expressed support for the west wight link.

Further funding was available under round 2 of the Levelling Up Fund, which must be used for a transport related project. A further bid was being submitted for the Island Green Link project. Lots of work had been done with landowners to enhance and improve the cycling and walking paths. The Green Link survey was currently live on the council’s website until 24 June.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet instructs the Director of Regeneration to arrange for the submission of the “Island Green Link” project as the councils bid to the government’s Levelling Up Fund - Round 2.

Cabinet approves the Isle of Wight Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy Action Plan 2022- 2024 as set out at Appendix 1.

The action plan was to accompany the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and showed the planned actions from 2022-2024. Deliverables with timescales for the actions were set out. £776,000 had been allocated by the government for prevention, one of the three core pillars of the strategy. In response to a query on progress with affordable housing, it was confirmed that the council was duty bound to build on the two Venture Quays sites in East Cowes, which were being progressed. It was suggested that an extra care facility would free up other housing for local people.

The council had agreed to work closely with Town and Parish Councils, and they had been asked for suggestions for proposed uses for empty properties.

The process had commenced to buy homes for the homeless to use, to give them somewhere to live as soon as possible.

It was suggested that the plan could contain more detailed, to enable other councillors to see how and when action is being taken, and the Cabinet Member with responsibility for homelessness was asked if an addendum to the plan with more detail could be provided. The Cabinet Member agreed to discuss the matter further with lead officers and provide a more detailed draft. Cllr Brodie asked whether a professional could be brought in and £40 million borrowed to improve social housing. The Cabinet Member agreed that a ‘go to’ person was needed and that this was being encouraged.

RESOLVED:

Cabinet approves the Isle of Wight Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy Action Plan 2022- 2024 as set out at Appendix 1.

That Cabinet approves the policy for MEES penalties.

The policy related to private rented properties, where those with an energy rating of F or G could no longer be let. A financial penalty could be imposed if landlords were not maintaining the required standards. It would be for the council to determine the level of penalty. A light touch approach would be adopted with landlords. Help was available in the form of schemes such as Warm Up Wight, details of which were already on the council’s website.

Cllr Andre declared an interest as a landlord of a residential property. Advice was sought from the Monitoring Officer before Cllr Andre left the room for the rest of the item.

Cllr Fuller declared an interest as a trustee of the Footprint Trust.

Concern was raised that there had been an 80% loss in private rentals on the island. Consideration would be given to a media release to signpost private landlords to any help available.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the policy for MEES penalties.

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

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Transformational Change and Corporate Resources reported that there had been several months of cross-chamber discussions regarding transformational change. A working group had been set up to lever the common skills of councillors and staff with help from the Local Government Association. The scope was still to be finalised, with an outcome report expected in May 2023. There would be support for the Commercial Strategy to include trading and housing entities, and would include liaison with, and support from, Town and Parish Councils. Consultation had taken place with the Conservative Group and independent councillors.

The Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism reported that Southampton had not won the City of Culture bid but had thanked the island for being a regional partner. Some deliverable would be pulled out of the submission.

1-Leisure staff had been recognised in two categories in the recent staff awards. It was noted that the number of One-Card users was back to 69% of the number pre-COVID. 3558 people had visited Medina Theatre in April and 1847 in May.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health reported that retention in the workforce had improved. The Independent Living Strategy was being developed. Health and Care Act guidance was expected from the government and the ASC team were working also with Children’s Services. Public Health was working towards recovery. The COVID numbers were increasing again but it was more difficult to track. Monkey Pox reporting was at regional, rather than local, level.

The Cabinet member thanked staff who had done well in the recent staff award ceremony.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Lifelong Skills reported that three Community Pantries had opened, with plans for more across the island. 82 people had signed up so far, and in addition to food, there was signposting to other help available for those in need.

Funding was again being offered under the Holiday Activity and Food Grant Scheme to six organisations to provide activities for children in the summer holidays. There would be 7756 places available on schemes this summer. 

The Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Highways PFI and Transport reported that work was ongoing to help people travelling to the mainland for treatment. Cllr Nicholson was thanked for his help. One ferry operator was already on board to help improve the situation for passengers.

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

Cllr Fuller would be bringing a Planning Enforcement paper to Cabinet. The CX had given her comments and the item would be added to the Forward Plan for the most appropriate Cabinet meeting.

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 14 June 2022. 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.

Cllr Brodie asked a verbal question relating to the placing of a vulnerable individual within his ward, and that he had received complaints about this from residents within the area. Cllr Brodie was of the view that the placement was inappropriate.  A written response would be sent.

Cllr Quirk asked a question regarding the decision not to close Chillerton and Rookley school, and whether the matter would be looked at realistically in respect of excess school places. Confirmation was given by the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Lifelong Skills that the Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Children’s Services would be looking at this at their meeting in September, when strategic place planning would be considered.

To consider passing a resolution that, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, namely agenda item 12(a) on the grounds that there is likely to be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED:

THAT under Regulation 4 (2)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that there was likely to be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Cabinet approves the sale of the freehold interest in the Spa site to the preferred bidder as set out in the report. In doing so delegating the authority to approve final terms following this decision to both the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Corporate Resources and Transformational Change, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and the council’s Section 151 officer.

The matter of the disposal of the site had been ongoing since 2005. There had been a lot of negotiation and consultation including with local Councillors and the Town and Parish Council. The recommended proposal had been considered by the Regeneration Board and believed it to be the best option. In response to a question from Cllr Brodie as to why he had not seen all the confidential papers, the Monitoring Officer confirmed that the Corporate Scrutiny Committee had not requested for it to be on their agenda, and that there had been an opportunity to ask questions of the relevant portfolio holder when the item had first appeared on the Forward Plan.

RESOLVED:

Cabinet approves the sale of the freehold interest in the Spa site to the preferred bidder as set out in the report. In doing so delegating the authority to approve final terms following this decision to both the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Corporate Resources and Transformational Change, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and the council’s Section 151 officer.