Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2022.

The request for performance measures in relation to the operation of Cowes Floating Bridge was highlighted.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2022 be confirmed as a true record.

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

Cllr John Medland declared a non-pecuniary interest in minute item 7, the Island Planning Strategy, as the chairman of the Planning Committee.

Members of the public are invited to make representations to the Committee regarding its workplan. 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) in writing or by email to democratic.services@iow.gov.uk, no later than two clear working days before the start of the meeting. The deadline for written questions is Thursday, 7 July 2022.

No public questions were received.

To receive an update on the progress against the outcomes arising from previous meetings, and to provide an update on any outstanding actions.

The chairman presented the report which provided an overview of the progress against actions and outcomes from previous meetings. No comments or questions were raised at this stage.

RESOLVED:

THAT the progress report be noted.

To identify any items contained within the Council’s forward plan which would benefit from early consideration by scrutiny, either before the Cabinet makes a decision or to monitor post-implementation, and should therefore be included in the Committee’s current work programme. The forward plan can be viewed online here: https://iow.moderngov.co.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=145&RD=0&bcr=1

The committee were invited to identify any item contained within the published forward plan that would benefit from early consideration within the committee’s own workplan or one of the policy and scrutiny committees.

Questions were raised in relation to the Disposal of Potential Housing Site(s) in East Cowes, scheduled for decision by the Cabinet on 8 September 2022. It was agreed that Cllr Spink would speak with the Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism on the item before advising the Chairman of the Committee whether this should be subject to pre-decision scrutiny.

Comments were raised in relation to the Review of the Public Health Partnership Function between the Isle of Wight and Hampshire, scheduled for decision by the Cabinet on 8 September 2022. It was noted that this was likely to be delayed due to the forthcoming LGA Peer Review of Public Health.

RESOLVED:

THAT the forward plan be noted.

To note the content of the current work programme, and to consider the inclusion of any additional items. Members of the public are invited to submit in writing to the Committee possible items for inclusion in its workplan.

Consideration was given to the committee’s work programme for 2022-25. No comments or questions were raised at this stage.

RESOLVED:

THAT the work programme be noted.

To consider the report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Digital Transformation, Housing, Homelessness and Poverty, as requested by the Committee at its last meeting; detailing the actions that have been taken with regards to the delivery of affordable homes on the Island, actions proposed, and a clear outline of the problems being encountered in the delivery of the Housing Strategy.

Consideration was given to the report as requested by the Committee at its last meeting; detailing the actions that had been taken with regards to the delivery of affordable homes on the Island, actions proposed, and an outline of the problems being encountered in the delivery of the Housing Strategy.

Questions were raised in relation to the acquisition strategy for the councils Housing Company, particularly in relation to the allocated budget and the intention to purchase up to 25 properties by spring 2023. The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Digital Transformation, Housing, Homelessness and Poverty, and the interim Chief Executive, provided additional clarification around the three-year program of borrowing set out in the approved budget strategy. Questions were raised in relation to the time frame for the commissioning of the legal work and the business strategy plan.

Discussion took place regarding temporary accommodation, modular homes, inflation, the availability of materials and skills to build new homes, working with private and social landlords, and whether the council was seeking changes to legislation to address issues around second homeownership and Airbnbs.

Questions were raised in relation to organisational changes and the proposed development of a centralised Housing department, and the interim Chief Executive was advised that work was underway to progress this. The appointment to a new post of Strategic Manager for Housing was welcomed, and it was agreed that the details of the service restructure would be communicated to the committee once finalised.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Digital Transformation, Housing, Homelessness and Poverty, confirmed that the committee would be updated on matters as they progress; and the Committee agreed to continue to monitor the delivery of the Housing Strategy Action Plan.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Digital Transformation, Housing, Homelessness and Poverty agreed to circulate his thoughts on possible solutions to the delivery of affordable housing.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report be noted.

To discuss and agree a review process ahead of the adoption of the Island Planning Strategy in September 2022. As part of this item the Committee also asked for a copy of the peer review undertaken of the Planning Service.

The Committee received the draft Island Planning Strategy in advance of its next meeting, in addition to the response to the recommendations of the task and finish group, and the outcome from the LGA peer review of the planning service.

Questions were raised in relation to the brownfield regeneration of publicly owned land around County Hall, and whether this would be adopted and included in the Island Planning Strategy. Comments were made in relation to aspects of the document in relation to consultations, education provision, strategic gaps and the area around Sandown airport, electronic vehicle recharging points, and greenfield developments outside of settlement boundaries.

Discussion took place with regards to the approach to scrutinising the document and consideration was given to the formation of a task and finish group. It was agreed that an informal meeting of the Committee would be held in August to discuss the formulation of comments to be approved at the next meeting for submission to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

THAT the committee would meet in August to review the draft Island Planning Strategy and would formalise its comments at its next meeting on 6 September 2022; ahead of its adoption by Cabinet on 8 September 2022 and the Full Council on 21 September 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. To guarantee a reply, a question  must be submitted in writing or by electronic mail to democratic.services@iow.gov.uk no later than 5pm on Friday 8 July 2022.

Cllr Michael Lilley submitted a written question in relation to the former Ryde arena (ice rink). A written response was provided (MQ 13/22).

The chairman asked an oral question on behalf of Cllr Brodie in relation to the Newport Pedestrian Improvements, scheduled for decision by the Cabinet on 14 July 2022, particularly in relation to the consultation with Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council. The Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism provided an oral response and outlined the consultation process.