Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm as a true record the Record of Decision of the meeting held on 10 March 2022.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2022 be approved.

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

Cllr Debbie Andre declared a non-pecuniary interest in the item relating to the Wildheart Trust as she was the local member for the area and also a member of Sandown Town Council, and would not be taking part in the voting on that item.

Cllr Chris Jarman declared an interest in the item relating to Wightcare as he was responsible for the management of his father’s care plan.

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 a Thursday, therefore the deadline for written questions will be Monday 9 May 2022.

Written questions had been received from Dominic Coughlin (PQ 33-22) relating to the school term dates report and Diane Barker (PQ 34-22) relating to school place planning and the future of Chillerton and Rookley school.

Responses were given by the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Lifelong Skills.

The Chairman thanked Cabinet members and members of staff for working long hours to bring actions in the Corporate Plan to fruition.

Local authorities were required to prepare and publish a statement every year. The policy had last been reviewed in 2021 and it had not been deemed necessary to make any changes this year.

That Cabinet approves the proposed 2022 Post-16 Transport Policy Statement as set out in Appendix 1.

Local Authorities were required to prepare and publish a statement each year. The existing policy had last been reviewed in 2021 and it was not believed that any changes were required this year.

That the proposed calendar for term dates 2023/2024 as in Appendix 3 be approved.

Further consultation had taken place, with over 3250 responses from a broad range of people including, school staff, parents and businesses. The majority, including school staff, were in support of a two-week half term break.

If was noted that the first day of the school year would be Friday 1 September 2023 and it was hoped that schools would taken this as a development day, returning to school on Monday 4 September 2023. Although the council did not set the term dates for school outside the local authority’s control it was hoped that all school would follow the same date pattern.  Information would be put onto the council’s website advising parents to check with their own school which day they would return to school.

To treat with the Wildheart Trust as a special purchaser of land adjoining the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Culver Parade, Sandown.

Cllr Andre took no part in the voting on this item.

The comments of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee were noted, that this would allow the council to undertake further negotiations with the Trust before any final decision was taken on the disposal of the land.

That Cabinet approves the Isle of Wight Council Commercial Strategy contained at Appendix 1 to this report.

This was the start of a process of transformational change, the council becoming more opportunistic, with a more business-like way of thinking. It was a route forward for a change in policies and attitude and there would be some training needed for staff. Community wealth-building had been included as this would support the local economy and help local businesses.

Cabinet agrees to:

Option 1 - Confirm the revised fee structure changes as per the 2022/2023 budget and activate from 01 July 2022 or earlier if possible, and

Option 3 - Undertake a review of the current Wightcare business model and to revert with a formal all options analysis and recommended forward plan for the unit going forwards.

As elements of 3 above, Cabinet agrees that the business model will:

·       Provide a definitive position on the regulatory requirements for the council charging structure for Wightcare as per the relevant legislation as identified by Finance.

·       Define a model for apportionment of council administrative costs to be used in relation to business units and hence applied to the business model for Wightcare

·       Define a forward business model for Wightcare taking into account the above, best practices elsewhere, predicted inflation, utility, and other costs, expected market demand for both the basic and enhances options and with regular review periods.

·       Be presented to Cabinet no later than September 2022.

It was intended to move forward with the fee increases identified in the February 2022 budget and for the Wightcare service to be reviewed as a discrete business identity. Consultation had taken place and 73% of respondents would prefer to see a fee increase as long as the same level of service was maintained. If was important that the service did not ontinue to be subsidised from elsewhere in the Adult Social Care budget. It was noted that 2200 people currently used the service and there was a lot of potential to enhance the services provided. The fees had not increased since 2018 and this had left a 36% gap in the budget which would need to be made up gradually with the aim of reaching a ‘break even’ point.

The comments of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee were noted.

That Cabinet confirms the revised fee structure changes as per the 2022/23 budget and implement from 1July 2022 or earlier if possible and identify an alternative saving/funding source to cover the loss of 30k from the budgeted position.

That Cabinet undertakes a review of the bereavement services business model and to agree a formal business analysis and plan for the service going forwards.

The intention was to review the current business model for bereavement services and create a business unit which would include cremations, burials and the management of graveyard sites. It was noted that there had recently been a large hike in energy prices. An ‘all options’ analysis would be undertaken, and it was confirmed that burials at sea would also be included. There had been an amendment to the published appendix containing the fees and charges for cremations and burials, which had been circulated to the Cabinet members and this would be amended online.

The Leader declared an interest at this point as she had purchased a burial plot from the council.

Consideration would need to be given to a four-fold increase in energy prices, including those coming in October 2022 and anticipate the increase in the fees.

That the Hackney Carriage Table of Fares be agreed as amended in Appendix 3 to this report to come into effect from 1 June 2022.

Council officers had met with the taxi trade association and they had requested an increase in fares. The fares had not been raised since 2014 and were last reviewed in 2019 when there was only one small change. There was a need to ensure that fares were affordable but ensured a reliable service. The recent increase in fuel prices was noted.

The Corporate Scrutiny Committee had noted that there was a need to ensure that fares were clearly displayed and that they were the maximum that could be charged.

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

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Community Engagement reported that the Queen’s speech earlier in the week had mentioned proposals for the Levelling Up Act which was proposed for 2024. The main points would be circulated to councillors the following week. Officers would scrutinise the proposals as they went through parliament. The Cabinet member would continue to liaise with the Island’s MP.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Lifelong Skills reported that the government papers on education and SEN services had been received and the implication for the Island were being looked at. Recommendations would be reported back.

The Cabinet Member had attended a very impressive Young Enterprise Event in which seven schools had taken part including St Catherine’s school. The result was yet to be announced. The Cabinet Member would also be attending the Child of Wight award ceremony.

Several Ukrainian families had been welcomed to the island. This would bring extra pressure to children’s services and progress would be monitored.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health reported that it was currently Mental Health Week. He had attended an event at the hospital at which mental health services were promoted.

The Health and Care Bill had received Royal Assent on 28 April and guidance was awaited on its implementation.

The workforce in Adult Social Care had slightly improved. There had been some positive initiatives with the NHS.

MAD-AID, based in East Cowes had worked with several voluntary groups and individuals to transport 11 truck loads of aid to Moldova and GP surgeries and the hospice had donated a lot of equipment. The Cabinet Member himself had been to visit the country to see the work being carried out there.

The Cabinet Member for Community Protection, Digital Transformation, Housing Provision and Housing Needs reported that the white paper on fire had been given Royal Assent. There would be a fire safety and prevention document coming forward. He was still working with the fire authority and the PCC to try and get a One Public Estate blue light centre.

Since the Island Plan core strategy in 2012 there had ben a shortfall of 1244 homes. There were currently 2466 homes needed on the housing list. Five rough sleepers were currently being cared for. There had been an annual increase of 19% in empty properties since 2019. 121 of these had been empty for more than two years. It was hoped that the housing problems may be alleviated by working within the empty property strategy to try and bring some back into use.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment, Heritage and Waste reported that work was ongoing in developing the Climate Change strategy and bringing biosphere principles into actions taken.

The household battery recycling facility was now available to the public who could put batteries out with their general waste.

The Cabinet Member for Highways PFI, Transport and Infrastructure reported that free parking for NHS patients travelling to the mainland for treatment had been put in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 120.

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

The item relating to the future of Chillerton and Rookley School was to be removed from the Forward Plan as the school was to remain open.

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 10 May 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.

No written questions were received.

Cllr Spink asked an oral question on the matter of public and members’ questions not being on the agenda for previous meetings, and said that some residents were concerned that this had been purposely done to stifle discussion on the Island Planning Strategy and asked whether the Leader took those concerns seriously.

The Leader confirmed that the concerns were taken seriously.

Cllr Spink asked a supplementary question as to whether it was in the public interest to therefore have a full investigation as to what decisions were made, by whom and in what order.

The Leader indicated that a written response would be sent.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment, Heritage and Waste said that the Monitoring Officer had been clear at the Corporate Scrutiny meeting on 10 May that there was a gap in the Constitution and that there would not have been  breach of the rules had the meetings actually taken place, which they did not.