Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2023.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2023 be approved.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2023 be approved.

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

Cllr Jordan declared an interest in the item relating to the Better Care Fund (minute number 129a) as he was involved in care delivery on the island.

Cllr Lucioni declared an interest in the item relating to the Enhanced Bus Partnership Plan (minute number 132b) as her son worked for the local bus company.

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 11 September 2023.

A written question was received from Simon Richards (PQ 38-23) relating to school place planning. The Leader provided a response.

The Chairman reported that the HR and Learning Development Teams were working together to develop a case study for the Age Friendly initiative. One in five apprentices at the council were aged 50 or over.

£3.1 million had been received from the UK Government Youth Investment Fund to develop the former Sandown Town Hall for youth services. Local suppliers and contractors would be used where possible.

Newport library had reopened after a six-month period of limited service.

The winter vaccination programme was being promoted.

Evidence in relation to fair funding for the Island Deal had been submitted tto the government. Minister Lee Rowley was to visit the island within the coming weeks.

Connectivity was to be included in the agenda for the next Islands Forum meeting.

To agree to the termination of the current partnership agreement with effect from 31 January 2024 returning the overall leadership and management of all Children’s services functions, including education, in-house, with arrangements for ‘buy-back’ of specialist service support/provision where there is a cost-benefit for a minimum period of twelve months.

The Appointments and Employment Committee had recently agreed to recruit a new Director of Childrens’ Services for the island. The report had been considered by the Corporate Scrutiny Committee, who had endorsed the recommendation.

RESOLVED:

To agree to the termination of the current partnership agreement with effect from 31 January 2024 returning the overall leadership and management of all Children’s services functions, including education, in-house, with arrangements for ‘buy-back’ of specialist service support/provision where there is a cost-benefit for a minimum period of twelve months.

That Cabinet approves the Performance Report for the Quarter ended 30 June 2023, and the priority report detail as set out in appendices 1-12.

Some potential savings of £1.6 million had been identified which would ease the budget pressures. £2.4 million of additional income had been achieved in the previous year and placed into reserves for the current year which would bring greater resilience.

The Chief Executive of SSEN would be using the Island as an important test case for green energy, including an additional interconnector worth £55 million which would help with future proofing and contribute to net zero.

The Corporate Scrutiny Committee had requested some further details be added to future QPM reports in relation to housing.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the Performance Report for the Quarter ended 30 June 2023, and the priority report detail as set out in appendices 1-12.

That the cabinet note the 2022/2023 BCF End of Year submission and approve the BCF 2023-2025 BCF submission.

That the cabinet delegate authority to the Director for Adult Social Care and Housing Needs the authority on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council  in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Housing, Public Health and Homelessness Needs to further develop and submit the BCF 2023 – 2025 templates in line with the national deadlines, and make amendments to the allocations and provision of services within the BCF during its 2 year period.

This was the annual paper which listed the current allocation of funding. It was noted that it was to cover a two-year period. The recommendation included the provision of delegated authority for the Director to make any amendments to the plan, although it was hoped that amendments would not be necessary.

Having declared an interest in this item, Cllr Jordan abstained from voting.

That the cabinet note the 2022/2023 BCF End of Year submission and approve the BCF 2023-2025 BCF submission.

That the cabinet delegate authority to the Director for Adult Social Care and Housing Needs the authority on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council  in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Housing, Public Health and Homelessness Needs to further develop and submit the BCF 2023 – 2025 templates in line with the national deadlines, and make amendments to the allocations and provision of services within the BCF during its 2 year period.

That the ‘Housing Affordability Supplementary Planning Document’ as at Appendix 1 to this report be formally adopted; 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 Members for Planning, Coastal Protection & Flooding and Adult Services & Housing, Public Health & Homelessness. These changes will not alter the meaning of the document and will be restricted to grammatical, presentational and typographical errors.

The document was intended to be a step towards the Island Planning Strategy. Affordable housing was in demand, and it was believed that the adoption of the SPD would help towards addressing the issue. The Corporate Scrutiny Committee had endorsed the recommendation but had made some relevant points regarding transient residents coming to the island. This would be looked at further.

RESOLVED:

That the ‘Housing Affordability Supplementary Planning Document’ as at Appendix 1 to this report be formally adopted; 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 Members for Planning, Coastal Protection & Flooding and Adult Services & Housing, Public Health & Homelessness. These changes will not alter the meaning of the document and will be restricted to grammatical, presentational and typographical errors.

That Cabinet approves the draft EVCI Strategy.

The strategy was a living document. Delivery of the strategy was being funded via Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund of £1.6 million capital funding. Highways were working on a solution to charging infrastructure for residents who have no off-road parking, and how to match the number of charge points to match demand on the island.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the draft EVCI Strategy.

That Cabinet approves the Isle of Wight Enhanced Partnership Plan (EP Plan) and   Isle of Wight Enhanced Partnership Scheme (EP Scheme), as detailed within, and appended to this report, as the local response to “Bus Back Better”, the national bus strategy, building on the Isle of Wight Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) that was approved in October 2021.

Furthermore, that authority is given to formally ‘make’ the EP Plan and EP Scheme in line with Government guidance, to include establishing the governance structure for the Enhanced Partnership.

The report was taken as read and not discussed in detail. Small amounts of money were being received which would be used to improve services in some way.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the Isle of Wight Enhanced Partnership Plan (EP Plan) and   Isle of Wight Enhanced Partnership Scheme (EP Scheme), as detailed within, and appended to this report, as the local response to “Bus Back Better”, the national bus strategy, building on the Isle of Wight Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) that was approved in October 2021.

Furthermore, that authority is given to formally ‘make’ the EP Plan and EP Scheme in line with Government guidance, to include establishing the governance structure for the Enhanced Partnership.

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 service was in a transitional phase with the ending of the partnership with Hampshire in the near future. Several initiatives were moving forward with the opening of the new family centre in Sandown, and the adult education programme, some of which was available for free, was detailed on the council’s website. The matter of surplus school places would be addressed to ensure a high level of service.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Climate Change and Biosphere thanked the Leader for all she had done whilst Leader of the council.

The planning committee had recently given planning approval for two solar farms on the island.

There was a new decision-making tool available to assist with assessing the likely impact of decisions on the climate and biosphere.

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Coastal Protection and Flooding reported that, in relation to Planning matters, discussions were ongoing with Town and Parish Councils regarding enforcement in their areas. The decision notice for the Worsley in Wroxall had now been completed. Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council had been instrumental in the restoration of two key properties in Newport High Street.

A total of 487 units had been granted planning permission in the past year, which was just over the figure contained in the Draft IPS.

The Government had issue the NPPF which failed to recognise the exceptional circumstances for islands.

In relation to Coastal protection, Ventnor Coastal Protection Scheme was ahead of schedule.

Seaview slipway had been restored.

The council would be working with the Environment Agency to work on the consultation for Yarmouth and Shanklin coastal protection issues.

The Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration, Culture and Leisure reported that the Director of Regeneration had left the council, along with other members of the regeneration team.

A new species of dinosaur had been found and it was hoped that the remains would be displayed at Dinosaur Isle on the October Half Term.

Funding had been applied for to upgrade the museum.

The number of One Card memberships had increased and was now at 86% of pre-pandemic numbers.

New facilities and equipment had been installed at the heights and medina Leisure centres.

The Solent Local Enterprise partnership were working on a cultural strategy for the Solent area. Businesses could obtain free mentoring via the SLEP.

The Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, Highways PFI and Transport Strategy reported that contractual challenges were being faced with the Highways PFI. Legal advice had been sought in some cases.

The floating bridge dispute had concluded and improvements to the vessel were now in hand.

The Local Transport Plan had been delayed pending government guidance.

The Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and Waste, Community Protection and ICT reported that 98% of household waste was now being diverted from landfill. There had been less than 20 missed collections per 100,000. Same-day bookings for the tip should be live within the next few months.

There was ongoing work with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 133.

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

The contents of the Forward Plan were noted.

A call-in request had been received regarding the delegated decision for the lease of Browns Golf Course. The client department and legal department had been consulted and it was hoped that the issue would be resolved quite soon.

It was noted that a Cyber Security Strategy would be coming forward in the near future, and a report on securing the future of the Fairway Athletics track.

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, 12 September 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.

Written questions had been received from Cllr Brading (MQ 06/23) relating to the ending of the Children’s Services partnership, and Cllr Lilley (MQ 07/23) regarding PTEC. A response to both questions was given by the Leader.

Cllr Brodie said that it was disappointing that all the achievements of the Cabinet had only been heard by those present at the meeting and asked what could be done to turn round the apparent negativity towards the council, especially within the media.

Cllr Fuller explained that in a recent planning consultation only 27 people had responded from thousands, and that he found personal engagement with residents beneficial.

The Leader responded that the council’s facebook page is used to inform the public, but that consideration would be given to using radio broadcast more so that people would hear of the council’s achievements whilst going about their daily business. Cllr Bacon had recently carried out an interview with Vectis Radio.