Agenda and minutes

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

Cllr Rodney Downer was in attendance as a substitute for Cllr David Adams. Apologies were received from Cllr John Medland.

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2023.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2023 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, 2 February 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. Regarding the Disposal of Potential Housing Site(s) in East Cowes, the committee requested that the previously-agreed written explanation into the rules around confidentiality be made available ahead of the publication of the agenda for the next meeting. It was requested that this information should detail the access to information for town, parish, and community councils. The committee requested a progress update on the arrangements for a training session on the call-in and delegated decisions processes and it was confirmed that this was underway. It was agreed that the request of the committee to view a copy of the Council’s legal advice that was provided regarding the Tour of Britain would be followed up.

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 work programme. The forward plan can be viewed online here.

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.

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. Consideration was given to the committee’s work programme for 2022-25. Discussion took place regarding the merger between the Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, and it was suggested that a briefing be arranged (in conjunction with the Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Health and Social Care) for the committee to receive information around this process and what it meant for residents.

RESOLVED:

THAT the work programme be noted.

To discuss the principles behind the 2023-24 budget.

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Transformational Change and Corporate Resources, and the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer, presented the budget proposals for 2023-24. Questions were raised around the plan for implementing a reduced budget for the next financial year, and the committee sought assurance that the Cabinet were confident that income generation targets would be met (particularly for the 1Leisure and Wightcare services). Discussion took place regarding collaboration with town, parish and community councils, inflation pressure-points, future savings margins, financial assumptions, the delivery of statutory services, and government funding. Concerns were raised around the removal of funding and loss of the contract for the Stroke Association, and the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing Needs confirmed that a full equality impact assessment had been undertaken. It was agreed that future budget and performance monitoring would be ongoing by this committee and each of the policy and scrutiny committees.

RESOLVED:

THAT the budget proposals for 2023-24 be noted.

To consider a report on the lines of enquiry agreed by the Committee at its meeting on 12 April 2022.

The Director of Regeneration presented the report which provided an update on the long-term strategy to reduce the number of buildings in the council’s operational portfolio, to ensure effective service delivery and reduced running and maintenance costs. Comments were made in relation to the ongoing rationalisation of the property estate (particularly for office buildings), and whether the council had identified suitable assets for disposal or redevelopment for social housing purposes.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report be noted.

Following discussion, the committee adjourned for a 5-minute comfort break.

To receive a copy of the report to Cabinet on 9 February 2023, and to consider the performance measures for Quarter 3 of 2022-23.

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Transformational Change and Corporate Resources presented the report which sought to provide the Cabinet with a summary of progress against Corporate Plan activities and measures for Quarter 3 of 2022-23. It was confirmed that future performance reporting would including data sources for graphs. Comments were made in relation to budgeting, particularly with regards to funding (such as the progress with the funding bid for a new SEND school) and income generation (including the plans to ensure the continual growth for the 1Leisure and green waste collection services). Questions were raised with regards to the mini forest that had been secured in the council’s name through a procurement exercise with the manufacturer of Nokia phones to offset carbon emissions, and it was agreed that details on this would be circulated to the committee. 

RESOLVED:

THAT the report be noted.

To consider the timeline and outcomes from the Cowes Floating Bridge mediation and the future of the vessel. The Chairman to report on outcomes from the informal briefing held on 31 January 2023.

The chairman provided a verbal update on the outcomes from the informal briefing held on 31 January 2023.Comments were made regarding the process leading up to the mediation, particularly the written record of the Leaders exercise of her statutory authority. Discussion took place regarding the Gateway 5 Review, comparative data, and the future of Floating Bridge.

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 email to democratic.services@iow.gov.uk no later than 5pm on Friday 3 February 2023.

No written questions were received.

Cllr Lilley asked an oral question in relation to the use of the ASDA grant, and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Transformational Change and Corporate Resources confirmed that this was absorbed into the council’s general funds.

Cllr Lilley asked an oral question in relation to food insecurity on the Isle of Wight and the measures being taken by the council (and other stakeholders) to reduce poverty. The chairman advised that the item could be added to the committees workplan.