Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies were received from Cllr Warren Drew.

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2022.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2022 be confirmed as a true record.

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

No declarations were received at this stage.

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, 5 January 2023.

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. It was noted that an informal meeting to discuss the outcome of the mediation process for the Floating Bridge had been arranged for 31 January 2023.

RESOLVED:

THAT the progress report be noted.

To discuss the principles behind the 2023-24 budget.

Consideration was given to the general principles and pressures behind the 2023-24 budget. A series of written questions had been submitted by the committee prior to the meeting, and responses were provided. Discussion took place regarding government funding, including the safeguarding of statutory services, progress regarding an ‘Island Deal’, and the funding implications for town, parish and community councils and the voluntary and community sector. Additional questions were raised in relation to statutory minimum reserves, cross-party collaboration, whether pay-rises had been budgeted for and discussed with unions to avoid possible future strike action, and protections and alternative funding modelling for non-statutory services such as 1Leisure. Assurance was sought that the Leader was confident that the Council could deliver a legal and balanced budget for 2023-24.

RESOLVED:

THAT the update 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 work programme. The forward plan can be viewed online here.

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. Discussion took place regarding the ‘Disposal of potential housing site(s) in East Cowes’ item due for determination by the Cabinet in March 2023. Questions were raised regarding the anticipated restriction of the report under commercial confidential and the committee requested a written explanation into the rules around confidentiality to understand why there are different rules for Cabinet and Scrutiny and to put in place a clear policy for all committees to follow. Comments were made in relation to the ‘Council Tax Premiums on Second Homes and Empty Properties’ item due for determination by the Cabinet in March 2023. It was requested that the matter be added to the committees workplan.

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. It was noted that the committee would consider the budget proposals 2023-24 report at its meeting in February 2023, and it was requested the report be made available to all members as soon as possible. A future update on the progress with the Island Planning Strategy, and a copy of the completed review of leisure centres was requested.

RESOLVED:

THAT the workplan be noted.

To consider the implications of the cancellation of the event due to take place on 11 September 2022.

The committee received a report on the implications of the cancellation of the Tour of Britain event that was due to take place on 11 September 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism advised that negotiations were underway to host a future cycling event on the Island. Concerns were raised in relation to the process for recouping losses in light of the cancellation being considered a force majeure; and the subsequent insurance implications and whether the council had been robust in recovering financial losses under the contract. Questions were raised regarding the lessons learned for future insurance protections for major contracts. The committee requested to view a copy of the legal advice that was provided, and to receive clarity on the point raised in the contract that entitled the council to a refund only of host venue fees after real costs had been deducted.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report be noted.

To monitor the actions being taken with regard to the delivery of the key activity identified in the Corporate Plan.

The committee received a supplementary report which provided a summary of the activities relating to economic recovery since the Corporate Plan was approved in October 2021. Comments were made with regards to the strategy, accountability, the pursuit of an ‘Island Deal’, the Nicholson Road development, Kickstart initiatives, and what roadblocks were likely to emerge.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report be noted.

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 6 January 2023.

No questions were received.