Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Virtual (MS Teams)

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

Media

Items
No. Item

11.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 262 KB

To confirm as a true record the Record of Decision of the meeting held on Thursday 8 October 2020.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2020 be agreed.

12.

Declarations of Interest

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

Minutes:

There were no declarations received at this stage.

13.

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

Questions must be delivered in writing or by electronic mail to Democratic Services at democratic.services@iow.gov.uk no later than 5pm on Tuesday 10 November 2020. Each question must give the name and address of the questioner.

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

There were no public questions received.

14.

Chairman's Announcements

Minutes:

The Chairman advised that the Local Outbreak Engagement Board had met earlier in the day and confirmed that since March 2020, the Island had 770 positive cases of covid-19 and sadly 85 deaths. Active planning was underway for the distribution of the vaccine when it became available, also business support funding was being distributed following government money being received. Covid-19 response and recovery strategy and leadership approach taken to ferry companies was supported.

 

An Island Economic recovery forum would be developed, this would be a virtual event involving Island business stakeholders and other interested parties to identify the best ways to move the Island forward.

 

The Leader sent a letter to the Prime Minister, with copies to the Secretary of State, the Chancellor and the Island’s MP regarding the Island deal, a response was awaited.

15.

Appointment of Leader to CFA (Combined Fire Authority for Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton) pdf icon PDF 356 KB

To confirm the appointment of and Isle of Wight member to the combined Fire Authority.

Decision:

Option 1 – To appoint the Leader as the Isle of Wight Council member on the CFA.

Minutes:

The Leader advised that following the creation of the Combined Hampshire Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority an appointment of an Isle of Wight member was required. The Authority would be fully operational from April 2021.

 

It was noted that the Corporate Scrutiny had made no comment.

16.

Newport Harbour Masterplan pdf icon PDF 212 KB

To seek endorsement of the Newport Harbour Masterplan and to adopt it as a Supplementary Planning Document.

Decision:

Option 2 – Endorse the masterplan with the Seaclose Gate site being removed and agree to consider its future adoption as a supplementary planning document.

 

Minutes:

It was advised that the masterplan was would enhance the area, bringing derelict sites and buildings back into use was a key priority for the Regeneration Strategy. Three phases of mixed use development including new cultural and conference facility to the Island and much needed hotel capacity, creating more jobs to support recovery. A new cycle and footbridge would link Seaclose park with the hospital and college avoiding traffic coming into town.

 

Consultations had been extensive and inclusive, as a result of this the proposed affordable housing site at the entrance to Seaclose park had been dropped; an alternative site would be identified. Prior to the masterplan being adopted as a Supplementary planning guidance a site specific flood risk assessment needed to be completed.

 

Government funding would be required to help make some plots viable and support wider infrastructure such as the cycle footbridge, this would be done in partnership with the Island’s MP.

 

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing supported the masterplan and believed that it would encourage people to live and work in Newport which would benefit the economy of the town.

 

 

17.

Quarterly Performance Report - Quarter 2 pdf icon PDF 715 KB

To report on progress against the Corporate Plan.

Additional documents:

Decision:

THAT the Cabinet approved the Performance and Finance report – Quarter ended 30 September 2020 and the priority report detail as set out in Appendix A, together with the Council’s financial position as set out at appendices B and C.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources highlighted the executive summary outlined in the report in particular the key outcomes that had been identified within the corporate plan.

 

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Housing Needs explained the challenges that had been faced by staff during the Covid-19 lockdowns to help support island residents and provide access to services. This report highlights the hard work undertaken by the departments, continuing to work closely with NHS partners on discharges. Homeless and rough sleeping strategy continued to deliver, no families with children were in bed and breakfast accommodation since March 2020.

 

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Heritage and Waste Management advised that feedback on the household waste recycling centres was positive. Bookings had increased and the number of vehicles on site had doubled, bookings can now be cancelled. He also asked that residents do not dispose of batteries and marine flares in general waste as there had been an incident the previous day.

 

The Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport informed the Cabinet that the St Mary’s junction work was on track, possibly under budget. He visited the site on a regular basis and reported very few tailback, good comments had been received on social media.

 

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills advised that the service had continued business as usual, staff had found new ways of working and achieved set deadlines and had kept at level one of the plan.

 

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Business Development advised that the New Business grants were now available and could be accessed online through the Isle of Wight Council website. Bids for the Rural fund were also available and businesses were encouraged to apply.

 

 

18.

Approval of Revised Constitution pdf icon PDF 362 KB

To approve and recommend the revised Constitution to Full Council.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Option 1 – to recommend the revised constitution for adoption by Full Council on 18 November 2020

Minutes:

The revision to the Constitution had been undertaken in consultation with officers and members, the Corporate Scrutiny Committee had met and the suggested amendments were incorporated at appendix C.

19.

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 Skills advised that in the last 7 days 10 instances of positive Covid tests had been in schools, a total of 403 students and 16 staff were currently isolating on the Island. Every incident had been dealt with by Public Health England and the schools had communicated information and undertook home learning.

 

He highlighted the priority schools building two programme, which had delivered schools such as Christ the King, Gurnard and Queensgate. There was currently ongoing eight primary schools being worked on up to the value of £21.6 million.

 

It was advised that due to new government grants there will be no children or vulnerable families on the Island that will go without meals this Christmas and in February half term 2021, the money would be distributed in the right way.

 

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Heritage and Waste Management advised that work had continued on unadopted roads, he thanks all local members and town and parish councillors who had attended meetings to move this forward.

 

He thanked all Amey staff for their commitment to ensure waste collections were achieved.

 

The Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Digital Transformation advised that regulatory services were under huge pressure due to Covid, a lot of work was taken up with regulations, business as usual had been put back, some issues around food safety were highlighted, conversations with the Food Standards Agency had taken place and they acknowledged the commitment to the standards of the team.

 

He also acknowledged the bereavement team and all the hard work they had undertaken especially during recent times, he raised concerns that people needed to be adhere to social distancing and wearing of face covering guidelines during funerals at the crematorium; it was acknowledged that this was a difficult time for people, although it was important guidelines were followed to protect residents and staff.

 

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing provided an update on the recent consultation on the White paper, a briefing had been provided to members and feedback had been collated and included in the response to government. The response had also been sent to the Islands MP, requesting the Island retain what we have now to reduce the impact on green field sites.

 

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Business Development advised that since the purchase of Venture Quays jobs had been promoted in one of the factory buildings, the barracks had also been used as a film set. He also promoted the Island gift card scheme.

 

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources thanked the Contact Centre for all the good work they had achieved.

 

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Covid-19 Recovery highlighted the level of strategic risks identified in the quarterly report. The impact of Brexit arrangements on the Island economy were still unknown and the current financial resources, the overspend had reduced to below eight million, however reductions needed to be made with the least impact on providing services. The main  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

Consideration of the Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 215 KB

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

Minutes:

It was noted that the School funding, Pay Policy and Parking delivery plan would be discussed in January 2021 and the budget would be discussed in February 2021.

21.

Members' Question Time pdf icon PDF 22 KB

A question must be submitted in writing by electronic mail to Democratic Services democratic.services@iow.gov.uk no later than 5pm on Tuesday 10 November 2020.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A question had been received from Cllr Garratt regarding the discussions between the Council and the Ministry of Justice on the future of the land around the prison, including but not limited to Camp Hill (MQ14/20) The Leader provided a response.