Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm as a true record the Record of Decision of the meeting held on 11 May 2023.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 11 May 2023 be approved.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 11 May 2023 be approved.

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

There were no Declarations of Interest.

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 5 June 2023.

A written question was received from Mrs R Mullins-Jacobs (PQ 31-23) regarding the possible closure of St Mary’s Primary School in Ryde. The Leader read out a response.

An oral question was received from Sylvia Clare of Brighstone regarding the street lighting in Brighstone and its effect on the Dark Skies status and on local residents. Cllr Stuart presented a petition signed by 125 residents. The relevant Cabinet Members would seek more information and see what could be done and a written response would be provided.

The Island had hosted the recent Islands Forum. A number of messages of thanks had been received, including from Minister Michael Gove. Delegates had been impressed with the CECAMM facility at Whippingham. The Leader had had the opportunity to question OfGem, and SSE had agreed to meet and discuss the possibility of around £55m of investment into the Island.

Delegates from Coburg had paid a recent visit to the Island and more would be coming in the following week.

That Cabinet approves the Performance Report for the Quarter ended 31 March 2023, and the priority report detail as set out in appendices 1-10.

The report had been considered by Corporate Scrutiny. It was pointed out that performance exceptions were now listed. Highlights included;

The significant reduction in debt since 2020

Visit IW data collection had resumed,

Although figures showed that there was a slight decline in visitor numbers, spend was growing.

The number of One Leisure Cards issued was increasing,

Council owned land at Lake had attracted Brownfield Release Fund money and a social provider had purchased the site for social housing. In response to a question from Councillor Spink regarding whether the social housing would be for rent, the Leader indicated that a written response would be provided.

It was important to be accurate in the way information was presented in future reports to ensure that residents could understand the meaning of the figures shown.

In future there would be more involvement of Cabinet members with their particular portfolio areas.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the Performance Report for the Quarter ended 31 March 2023, and the priority report detail as set out in appendices 1-10.

That the Isle of Wight Cabinet approve:

(a) Spend in respect of Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health Service an amount up to a maximum value of £8.5M over nine years.

(b) That Cabinet delegates authority to the Director of Public Health to award a contract for Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health Service for a maximum of nine years, let on the basis of an initial period of seven years with the option to extend this period by two years.

A number of organisations had been involved in the service procurement.

It was proposed that up to £8.5 million would be provided over a maximum of 9 years to provide the service with a focus on prevention.

RESOLVED:

That the Isle of Wight Cabinet approve:

(a) Spend in respect of Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health Service an amount up to a maximum value of £8.5M over nine years.

(b) That Cabinet delegates authority to the Director of Public Health to award a contract for Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health Service for a maximum of nine years, let on the basis of an initial period of seven years with the option to extend this period by two years.

That the ‘Newport and Ryde Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan’ be adopted as a supplementary planning document; and

That any final editorial and presentational changes to the supplementary planning document are delegated to the Strategic Manager for Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning, Coastal Protection & Flooding. These changes will not alter the meaning of the document and will be restricted to grammatical, presentational and typographical errors.

The Newport and Ryde LCWIPs had already been adopted and the next stage was to include them as Supplementary Planning Documents, so that when the government announced future active travel plans the council would be ready to bid for funding. Members felt that the plans were a good starting point however more walking considerations should be included if and when the document was next reviewed.

RESOLVED:

That the ‘Newport and Ryde Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan’ be adopted as a supplementary planning document; and

That any final editorial and presentational changes to the supplementary planning document are delegated to the Strategic Manager for Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning, Coastal Protection & Flooding. These changes will not alter the meaning of the document and will be restricted to grammatical, presentational and typographical errors.

To agree the Isle of Wight Cultural Strategy 2023 subject to any further amendments agreed by the Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration, Culture and Leisure.

Gavin Stride and Georgia Newman from The Island Collection gave a short presentation on the Cultural Strategy and explained the background and the purpose of the strategy. It was hoped that having a strategy would enable to council to bid for funding for example from the Heritage Lottery. Creative industry was the fastest growing sector in the Island’s economy and it was hoped that the strategy would inspire young people, raise the collective ambition of people on the island, enable more collaborative working and improve quality of life. The Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Neighbourhoods and Regeneration had considered the strategy and given valuable input.

There were positive comments from members regarding the large range of culture on the island, the involvement of young people and the improvement in their confidence. It was believe the strategy was going in the right direction.

RESOLVED:

To agree the Isle of Wight Cultural Strategy 2023 subject to any further amendments agreed by the Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration, Culture and Leisure.

That Cabinet approves proposal to maintain the pre-Covid levels of concessionary fares reimbursement for local bus operators for the financial year April 2023 to March 2024 in line with the Department for Transport (DfT) Supplementary Note for 2023-24 (see Appendix 1) 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. Which would be reviewed on a six-monthly basis in recognition of the ever-changing market environment.

Furthermore, that Cabinet approves the retention of remaining revenue funding currently budgeted for concessionary travel reimbursement, above the outlined levels of reimbursement, for the purpose of providing further support to local bus services on the Island and other transport related pressures. Any decisions on funding would be carried out in consultation with the Director of Finance Services/S151 Officer and the Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, Highways PFI and Transport Strategy

The number of bus users was still lower than pre-COVID, therefore the council would continue to support the bus services at the pre-covid numbers. This would be reviewed during the year with a view to moving back to real numbers from 2024. It would particularly help to support bus services in rural areas.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves proposal to maintain the pre-Covid levels of concessionary fares reimbursement for local bus operators for the financial year April 2023 to March 2024 in line with the Department for Transport (DfT) Supplementary Note for 2023-24 (see Appendix 1) 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. Which would be reviewed on a six-monthly basis in recognition of the ever-changing market environment.

Furthermore, that Cabinet approves the retention of remaining revenue funding currently budgeted for concessionary travel reimbursement, above the outlined levels of reimbursement, for the purpose of providing further support to local bus services on the Island and other transport related pressures. Any decisions on funding would be carried out in consultation with the Director of Finance Services/S151 Officer and the Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, Highways PFI and Transport Strategy.

This item was not discussed.

Full Council agrees to establish a politically proportionate 'Future Governance Working Group' to make recommendations to Full Council January 2024 regarding moving to a Committee system of governance (including the future Committee structure, decision-making powers, etc.). The intention being to recommend for approval a formal resolution to that meeting to bring about such a change in governance with effect on and from the Annual Council 2024.

The Future Governance Working Group shall consist of ten councillors, namely any 3 councillors from the Alliance Group, any 4 councillors from the Conservative Group, any 1 councillor from Empowering islanders group, 1 councillor from the Liberal Democrat Group, and any 1 non-aligned councillor, plus staff support.

Its terms of reference are to develop a new Committee system of governance for the Isle of Wight Council and to make recommendations for its implementation to Full Council.

In so doing, the Future Governance Working Group shall, amongst other things, consider how other local authorities have made a transition back to the Committee system of governance model and what lessons can be learnt from that experience, and shall consider examples of best practice, to inform those recommendations.

That the Cabinet recommends to Full Council that the motion be referred to the Audit and Governance Committee.

A lengthy discussion took place over the most appropriate course of action for the motion to be progressed. It was the view of Cabinet that the Audit and Governance Committee was the most appropriate forum and suggested it might be further referred to Corporate Scrutiny due to budgetary implications.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet recommends to Full Council that the motion be referred to the Audit and Governance Committee.

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 the School Place Planning report had been withdrawn from the agenda, to allow for a members’ briefing then a public briefing before the end of term and allow for public comments to be considered.

Accommodation options for the new Primary Behavioural Support Service from September 2023 were being considered.

The Cabinet Member had been working with the IW Youth MP and they would be attending the Youth Conference in July. The Youth Council were also getting more involved in local issues for example, bus users’ groups.

The Cabinet Member had been invited to speak to politics students at an island secondary school.

Funding had been obtained for a 75 place SEN school. The DfE would manage the project.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Climate Change and Biosphere reported that staff had been very helpful in getting him up to speed with the finance area of his new portfolio.

There was still a lack of understanding about the Biosphere status of the island, which, among other things, included tree planting, coastal protection, dark skies and mission zero. He would be involved in the local Nature Recovery Strategy.

There was now a Climate Impact Assessment tool which could be used in all areas of the council’s work to help with climate change.

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Coastal Protection and Flooding reported that he was familiarising himself with his new portfolio area of coastal protection. Thanks were expressed to staff for the repair work done to date at Ventnor Esplanade. With regard to Planning enforcement, discussions were currently under way with Town, Parish and Community Councils regarding their priorities for the coming year.

The Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration, Culture and Leisure reported on successes over the past two years, including Newport Harbour moving forward with the Cultural Centre and steel yard, the sale of Shanklin Spa, Whippingham technology park, Building 41, Venture Quays Levelling- up funding, Packs (Ryde) redevelopment, Branstone Development, involvement in the Southampton City of culture bid and developing good relationships with the Arts Council and Historic England.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Housing, Public Health and Homelessness reported on the action plan and overview of actions planned to address the housing and homelessness issues facing the council. Thirty-three affordable homes had been provided at Branstone.

Letters had been sent to owners of properties which have been empty for more than 10 years, offering support to bring them back into use.

An Acquisition Strategy and an Empty Property Strategy would go to July’s Cabinet meeting for approval. A housing briefing for all members would be provided in the near future.

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

Following the withdrawal of the School Place Planning report, a stand alone item on the amalgamation of Chillerton and Rookley Primary School with Godshill Primary School would be added to the Forward Plan for the Cabinet meeting in July. The school place planning item would be removed for the time being.

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 6 June 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.

Cllr Spink asked whether Cabinet would agree to set up a cross party group to look at the issues faced regarding the number of people on the housing register.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Housing, Public Health and Homelessness responded that an all-members meeting was to be held as soon as possible to discuss the issue and look at the best way forward.

The following question was received from Cllr Jarman:

“Cabinet cannot be ignorant of the appalling and distressing figures released this week for the number of Isle of Wight children living in poverty. At the same time we learned this evening that the birth rate has dropped in the last decade by a further 20 per cent, whilst the rate of termination of pregnancies has increased by 50 per cent. Indeed the reports tonight show that a child born now on the Isle of Wight has a shorter life expectancy compared to the rest of England.

Does Cabinet agree that there is now strong and consistent evidence of and how are they proposing to respond to this alarming trend?”

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills responded that a Child Poverty Strategy was being drafted but that a written response would be sent. It was agreed that this was a matter for which the Health and Wellbeing Board should also be responsible.

Cllr Brodie asked whether the Director of Finance/S.151 Officer could be present at the forthcoming all members briefing to explain the reason why no money has come forward from the £40 million previously allocated to build social rented housing on the island.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Housing, Public Health and Homelessness would ask the Director of Finance to attend the all members briefing.

Cllr Stuart asked whether the Leader would agree that questions asked at Full Council should receive a response, as he had not had answers to previous questions asked regarding Kingston Marine Park and the number of people on the housing register.

The Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration, Culture and Leisure indicated that she would provide a full response as soon as possible.