Agenda and minutes

To note any changes in membership of the Committee made in accordance with Part 4B paragraph 5 of the Constitution.

Cllr Lever sent his apologies

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 January 2023.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 5 January 2023 be approved

with the following notifications

THAT regarding Item 37 to read Pier Street.

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

Cllr Stuart declared his wife to be a professional artist (Draft Cultural Strategy item)

Cllr Beston declared himself a trustee of Shanklin Theatre (Draft Cultural Strategy item)

Cllr Medland declared he was Chairman of the Planning Committee            (Planning Enforcement Strategy Item)

Cllr Quirk declared he was Chairman of Shanklin Theatre Community Trust (Draft Cultural Strategy item)

Cllr Jones-Evans declared she was a non-numerated Director of a cultural organisation mentioned in the Draft Island Cultural Strategy

Cllr Bacon declared he was a member of both St Helens and Brading Parish Councils which had given financial assistance to the development of the Island’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans

Cllr Fuller declared he was member of Cowes and Gurnard Parish Councils which had given financial assistance to the development of the Island’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans.

Cllr Jordan and Cllr Ward also declared they were Parish councillors regarding the LCWIP item.

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. Therefore the deadline for written questions will be Friday 28 May 2023.

Members of the public are invited to make representations to the Committee regarding its workplan, either in writing at any time or at a meeting under this item.

No public questions were received

The Chairman to report.

Questions were asked about Dinosaur Isle and Sandown Town Hall and if updates could be given on actions regarding these subjects.

The Cabinet member for Levelling Up, Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism stated that a paper on Dinosaur Isle would be circulated at Cabinet on 11 May 2023.

It was explained that with the case of Sandown Town Hall there was a visionary project, but this required money, which was holding it back.

The committee to review how the survey is utilised to improve services and to ensure the results are open, transparent and fed back to the general public.

The results of the annual waste and recycling survey were presented to the committee by the Strategic Manager Environment - Waste and Environment with a detailed break-down of the results and subsequent feedback which compared trends from the previous year.

The key statistics were explained to the committee which showed an overall increase in satisfaction of services provided.

Points that had been raised in the survey from its participants were taken up for consideration, development and implementation. These included kerbside recycling, kerbside battery service and the increased desire for a smartphone app.

Discussions took place around food waste going into general waste, the collection plus service and what can be done to encourage re-use of items.

The committee expressed interest in visiting the Waste Education Centre at Forest Park once completed.

RESOLVED:

THAT the Annual Waste and Recycling Survey be noted.

The committee to receive an overview of the coastal works taking place in Ventnor, Shanklin, Yaverland and Bembridge.

A power point presentation was given to the committee by the Strategic Manager Environment - Waste and Environment which included an asset condition survey, an update on Ventnor Eastern Esplanade and an update on the major capital schemes with the EA.

It was explained that the Isle of Wight Council had a vested responsibility for controlling costal erosion and that coastal protection authorities were designated the responsibility in carrying out capital works.

The committee was shown a map of the Isle of Wight with all the IWC maintained defence assets. The strategy for managing the coastline was discussed detailing risks and where they could be reduced.

RESOLVED:

THAT the Update on Coastal Works be noted

To consider the Local Cycling and Walking infrastructure Plans to enable working with key local, regional and national stakeholders on securing resources to deliver infrastructure improvements, prior to decision at Cabinet on 11 May 2023.

The committee was presented with a report on Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPS) which was due to go to Cabinet on the 11 May 2023 regarding the approval of three local cycling and walking plans – Cowes – Northwood – Gurnard

East Cowes – Whippingham

Bembridge – Brading – St Helens

The recommendation included in the report was for Cabinet to approve all 3 LCWIPS in the respective areas, and to work with key local, regional and national stakeholders to seek funding to deliver the proposed infrastructure improvements. It also recommended that the Cabinet member for Planning and Enforcement undertake the required public consultation with a view to the council adopting all 3 LCWIPS as Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD’s).

Questions were asked about monitoring usage of paths for both walking and cycling and what lessons were learnt from the Ryde and Newport plans.

RESOLVED:

THAT the committee note the report on LCWIPS

Following a consultation exercise involving Town, Parish and Community Councils, the committee to review the draft strategy before it goes to Cabinet on 11 May 2023.

The Strategic Manager for Planning & Infrastructure Delivery presented a report on the Adoption of a New Planning Enforcement Strategy which was due to go to Cabinet on 11 May 2023.

It was explained that the council’s current enforcement policy was published in 2015 and that in May 2022 the Local Government Association undertook a peer review of Planning Services and subsequently recommended the implementation of a new planning enforcement strategy.

Discussions took place around how one size won’t fit all Town, Parish and Community Councils, the potential for TPCs to group together to fund a planning officer, the costs, time and resources associated as well as how to promote successful planning enforcement.

RESOLVED:

THAT the committee note the New Planning Enforcement Strategy

The committee to review the draft strategy of the new Isle of Wight Cultural Strategy which was developed in partnership with the Island Collection, after extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders.

The committee received a report on the Draft Island Cultural Strategy which formed the framework for the development of a cultural strategy, led by the Island Collection organisation, which the council is supporting.

The strategy aimed to identify key objectives and actions in supporting the sector across agencies, stakeholders and the wider community. The final draft strategy is due to be considered at Cabinet in June and members of the committee were encouraged to comment on the document as there was flexibility to amend and add to the strategy.

It was explained to the committee that the Island Collection had used the Local Government Association ‘Culture in a Box’ framework to help develop the draft strategy. It was emphasised that the strategy needed to be unique to the Island’s needs, aspirations and challenges.

Discussions took place around funding and sustainability, and the importance of keeping hold of skilled young people through organisational structure and pathways.

RESOLVED:

THAT the Draft Island Cultural Strategy be noted, and members follow up any further suggestions and comments with the Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism

To consider the Workplan for comment.

The Committees work plan and potential topics were put forward on getting regular updates on the delivery of affordable homes, business development within the island, and a creating sustainable future for the Island. It was agreed that these items would be scoped out for committee comment and approval.

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 2 May 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.

A question was raised on why the committee was not looking at the Cabinet paper on Dinosaur Isle. It was explained that the committee had not requested to look at the item but that it had been on the Forward Plan for some time.