Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, County Hall, Newport, Isle of WIght

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

Media

Items
No. Item

11.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 242 KB

To confirm as a true record the Record of Decision of the meeting held on 16 June 2021.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2021 be agreed.

12.

Declarations of Interest

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

Minutes:

Cllr Stephens declared an interest in Items 7 – 11 of the agenda, as his daughter was employed within the council’s Children’s Services Directorate.

13.

Public Question Time - Maximum 15 Minutes for Written Questions and 15 Minutes for Oral Questions pdf icon PDF 10 KB

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 12 July 2021.

 

The procedure for asking questions without notice is provided below:

 

Arrangements for Submitting Oral Questions at Meetings of Council and Cabinet:

 

The front desk “opens” for public wishing to attend the meeting half an hour before the meeting.

 

When signing in at the front desk as attending a Council or Cabinet meeting each member of the public is asked whether they wish to ask an oral question at the meeting AND/OR if the member of the public indicates themselves that they wish to ask an oral question.

 

In the circumstances that a member of the public wishes to ask an oral question, they will be given a form to complete which details their name, town/village of residence, email address and the topic of the question (not the question in full, unless they wish to provide this).

 

These forms will be numbered in the order they are handed back.

 

The time for registering questions will be for a 20 minute period (up to 10 minutes prior to the start of the meeting). After that time expires the forms will be collected and given to the Chairman of the meeting.

 

If time allows after dealing with any written questions, the Chairman will then ask those who have submitted a form to put their question.  These will be in the order they were received.  As the subject matter is known, the Chairman should be able to indicate which member will reply.  If time permits the Chairman may accept further questions.

 

The option to ask a supplementary question will be at the Chairman’s discretion.

 

Once the defined period of time allowed for questions has passed (and assuming the Chairman has not extended this) then all remaining oral questions are left unanswered.

 

No oral question will receive a guaranteed written response, unless the member responding indicates as such.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Written questions had been received from Mr M Ambrosini (PQ 33-21), Mr & Mrs A Dowden (PQ34-21) and Mr D Coughlin (PQ 36-21). The Leader confirmed that they would receive a written response. Dr J Lockwood attended and read out his written question (PQ35-21) and the Cabinet Member for Environment, Heritage and Waste Management provided a response.

 

An oral question were received from Cathy Foulkes of Ryde, relating to the Ryde Interchange project. The Leader confirmed that a written response would be sent.

 

An oral question was received from Cameron Palin of East Cowes relating to the island’s biosphere status. The Cabinet Member for Environment, Heritage and Waste Management provided a response and confirmed that the Island Plan consultation document would reference the biosphere status.

14.

Chairman's Announcements

Minutes:

The Chairman reported that she had been working hard on a number of things and would report back in due course. Thanks were also expressed to the Cabinet and staff for their support especially during COVID.

 

15.

Mobile Home Licensing Fees Policy pdf icon PDF 486 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Option 1 – To adopt the proposed Mobile homes Licensing Fees Policy (at Appendix 1).

Minutes:

The Deputy Leader presented the report and explained that there were currently six residential sites with approximately 250 pitches on the island. A recent change in legislation meant that as well as ensuring the sites were safer and appropriately managed, the local authority could charge fees. The Licensing Department would not make a profit but would charge the fee on a cost recovery basis. The Corporate Scrutiny Committee had noted the report.

 

16.

Quarterly Performance Report Q4 pdf icon PDF 347 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

That Cabinet approves the Performance Report – Quarter ended 31 March 2021 and the priority report detail as set out in the Appendices.

Minutes:

Cabinet Members noted the report.

 

17.

Consultation on the closure of the 6th Form at Carisbrooke College pdf icon PDF 503 KB

Decision:

That the Cabinet approves the publication of a Public Notice for the alteration of the upper age range so as to remove the Sixth Form at Carisbrooke College with effect from 31st December 2021.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services explained that this was, in effect, a paper exercise. The 6th Form had closed in 2016 but still technically existed. The education provision was still available.

 

18.

Post 16 Transport Policy Statement pdf icon PDF 606 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

To approve the proposed 2021 Post-16 Transport Policy Statement as set out in Appendix 1.

Minutes:

There was a statutory requirement to review the Post-16 Transport policy every year. There were no changes to be made this year.

 

19.

School Term Dates 2022-2023 pdf icon PDF 738 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Option 1 – To approve the proposed calendar for term dates 2022/23 as in Appendix 3.

Minutes:

The original consultation had run from 7 January to 26 February 2021. Ten responses had been received mostly from primary headteachers. Seven felt that the October break needed reviewing. Head teachers would prefer a two-week Christmas break.

 

A further shortened consultation had recently taken place with headteachers. 31 had responded, 11 of which referred to the views of their staff. The majority had stated that they would prefer a two-week break at Christmas, with a one-week October break. The majority view had therefore been recommended for approval. It was important to achieve a balance and ensure adequate breaks for staff and it was felt that there was value in a longer Christmas break. Staff needed to be able to plan ahead.

 

The Corporate Scrutiny Committee had recommended to Cabinet that a further consultation be undertaken due to concerns that parents’ preference was for an additional week’s holiday in October rather than the majority preference from the schools, via their headteachers, for an additional week at Christmas.

 

20.

Amendment to Academic Year 2021/22 to include extra Bank Holiday pdf icon PDF 597 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

To approve the proposed updated calendar for term dates 2021/2022 as set out in Appendix 2.

Minutes:

It was explained that the amendment to the term dates for 2021/22 was required as a result of the extra Bank Holiday in 2022 for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

 

21.

Decision Paper for Specialist Provisions for Sept 21 and update on Public Consultations pdf icon PDF 478 KB

Decision:

Option C. To increase the number of resource provisions by two with one at Brading CE (Controlled) Primary and the second at Medina College as outlined in this report Both resource provisions agreed.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member summarised the report. There were to be eight places at Brading primary school for pupils with complex learning difficulties, and 15 places at Medina College for pupils with serious social, emotional and mental health needs. The Corporate Scrutiny Committee had welcomed the proposals.

 

22.

Ryde Transport Interchange Project Delivery pdf icon PDF 615 KB

Decision:

OPTION 2: That the findings of the public consultation are reported to a future meeting of the cabinet to inform a final decision on the detailed design of those elements of the project to be implemented by the council. All other matters to be delegated to the Director of Neighbourhoods as above so as to advance the project prior to this decision.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport explained that a joint funding bid had been submitted three years ago and the council had entered into partnership arrangements with Portsmouth City Council. The island would benefit with approximately £10 million for the project. Consultation would now take place, with the final decision to made after responses had been evaluated. There had been a historical issue with public engagement but this would now be addressed. The matter would come back to Cabinet in September to be properly considered, unless a decision was required before that, in which case a special meeting would be held. An amended Option 2 was recommended by the Cabinet Member which was agreed.

 

23.

Draft Island Planning Strategy Consultation pdf icon PDF 652 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Option 1 - to agree the revised draft Island Planning Strategy (as attached) for public consultation to run from 30 July until 1 October.

 

To delegate any final editorial and presentational changes to the Island Planning Strategy to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing and the Director of Regeneration, so long as they do not materially alter the intention of the version agreed by Cabinet.

Minutes:

The draft strategy was seen as an opportunity for a full consultation on what was wanted in local communities on the island. The number of dwellings to be built had reduced to 486 per annum. The Corporate Scrutiny Committee had formally supported the proposals regarding the consultation and had requested that a task and finish group be established, to include Councillors from the Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Neighbourhoods and Regeneration, to formulate a submission as part of the consultation process, which would be reported to the Corporate Scrutiny Committee on 7 September 2021 for approval. There would be a nine-week consultation period to end on 1 October. Town and Parish Councils would be asked for feedback and it was planned to take the consultation ‘on the road’ as it was important that residents should be able to give their opinions on the Island Plan and how it would work in their areas. The background papers listed in the report would be made available for public scrutiny. Thanks was expressed to planning officers for their work in producing the draft plan, which had also received some involvement from the island’s MP.

 

24.

Contribution to Development of Southampton City of Culture Bid 2025 pdf icon PDF 409 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Option 5 - To support the Southampton 2025 expression of interest for the UK City of Culture bid by confirming the Isle of Wight as a regional partner and providing an initial £10,000 contribution for this purpose, from within the existing budgets available for strategic partnerships.

 

To instruct council staff to work with the bid team to identify the most appropriate programme of activities to take place, should the bid be successful, to support the Island's cultural regeneration and maximise the economic and cultural benefits for the Island.

 

Should the SO2025 bid be successful, delegate the decision regarding further council support of £50,000 to support Island implementation of the bid's proposed activity programme to the Cabinet member for Regeneration and Business Development. then the additional funding as a regional partner of £10,000 per annum for the five years up to and including 2026 be the first call on the council’s regeneration budget in each of those years.

Minutes:

The Cabinet member for Business and Regeneration thanked staff for dealing with the matter quickly. Cultural regeneration was one of the key priorities of the council and this was an opportunity to bring forward partnership arrangements with Southampton City Council. Cities of Culture were high profile for regeneration and through place plans the island had shown that it had a sense of pride. A meeting had been held with the bid director who had been overwhelmed with what the island could offer. It was proposed that an application would go to government in the next week, then in September applications would be shortlisted to six, following which a full business case would be prepared. The final six would receive £50,000 from government to help put their business case together. In January 2022 the final two would be decided and the final one announced in May 2022. This was an exciting opportunity which Southampton had been working on for a number of years. It would support cultural regeneration on the island and promote its biosphere status. It would bring together many cultural organisations on the island together. It was reported that 30 per cent of employment on the island was in the cultural sector. The Corporate Scrutiny Committee had welcomed the significant opportunity afforded by the Council’s involvement and fully supported the proposed recommendation. It was clarified that the council would only give £10,000 per year if the Southampton bid was successful.

 

25.

Cabinet Member Announcements

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

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Housing Needs thanked all those who participated in the opening of Howard House, which was to provide 17 high quality units for homeless people. Cllr Mosdell had greatly contributed in her previous role. The Health Care Bill had its second reading in parliament this week, and would have a significant impact on Adult Social Care. The council would be inspected by the CQC in future which would give assurance to residents. There had been much discussion regarding vaccinations. At 1 July, 84 per cent of care home workers had received their first vaccination, and 79 per cent had received the second dose. It was suggested that people travelling to and from the island took a Lateral Flow test in order to track and trace if necessary.

 

Cllr Brodie confirmed the importance of the approval of local residents for the provision of homeless facilities, as was the case in his ward, unlike other areas of the island where opposition had been received. The Cabinet Member agreed and commended the people of Pan for their support.

 

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Transformational Change and Resources advised that examination of the council’s finances and policies was continuing, and expressed thanks to the Assistant Chief Executive and audit staff. The Kickstart programme was being expanded to provide 45 new placements for young people on benefits to help them into the workplace. A capacity review had been initiated with the utility companies on the island and there had ben several recent issues. It would encompass all utilities with the support of the MP. A meeting was to be held with senior staff from Southern Water regarding capacity as this would help with future planning to feed into the Island Plan. Work methods for legal processes were to be revised and work was being undertaken to bring these into effect. A paper would be brought to Full Council in the future.

 

The Cabinet Member for Business and Regeneration thanked the Regeneration team for their input into Howard House. The Council had received some European funding of £2.8 million for the business hub at Cowes. A site visit had been carried out and was positive. A press release was due out shortly.

 

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Heritage and Waste Management reported that he would shortly be publicising a number of measures regarding the summer litter campaign, which had the support of the Welcome Back programme. There would be increased bin emptying and beach cleaning. Nine seasonal attendants had been employed who would report any issues. A fly tipping task and finish group had been set up with 10 other councillors, with an action plan to be produced. A report would be brought forward later in the year.

 

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills praised school staff and students for their work over the last year and wished them all a happy summer holiday.

 

The Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport reported that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

26.

Consideration of the Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 298 KB

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

Minutes:

There had been a few recent issues with the Forward Plan, however this had now been rectified and there would be more items added in the coming weeks.

27.

Members' Question Time pdf icon PDF 22 KB

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.

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 5.00pm on Tuesday 13 July 2021.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Written questions had been received from Cllr Hendry (MQ 10/21) and Cllr Spink (MQ 11/21) in relation to Planning matters. Both would receive written responses.

 

There were no oral questions from any other Councillors.