Agenda and minutes

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

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 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 electronic mail to Democratic Services at 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 April 2022.

A series of written questions in relation to the Island Planning Strategy had been received as follows; Lindsay Becker of Freshwater (PQ 09/22) James Cave of Freshwater (PQ 10/22), Dom Hicklin of Freshwater (PQ 11/22), Huw Jenkins of Freshwater (PQ 12/22), Victoria Bassil of Totland Bay (PQ 13/22), Julie Newell of Freshwater (PQ 14/22), Stuart Ferris of Freshwater (PQ 15/22), Sian Pierce of Freshwater (PQ 16/22), Simon Cooper of Freshwater (PQ 17/22), Nettlestone Village Residents Association (PQ 18/22), Janet Guy of Freshwater (PQ 19/22), Sarah Sims of Freshwater (PQ 20/22), Karen Ferris of Freshwater (PQ 21/22), Elizabeth Keay of Freshwater (PQ 22/22), Shirley Briscoe of Freshwater (PQ 23/22), Mike Briscoe of Freshwater (PQ 24/22), Graham Field of Freshwater (PQ 25/22), Jacqueline Field of Freshwater (PQ 26/22), Phillip Guy of Freshwater (PQ 27/22), Alan Nicholson (PQ 28/22), Christina Nicholson (PQ 29/22), Sue Ecuyer of Freshwater (PQ 30/22), Barry Ecuyer of Freshwater (PQ 31/22), and Ray Morey of Freshwater (PQ 32/22). The chairman confirmed that written responses had been prepared and forwarded to the questioners.

An oral question was asked by Angus McLeod of Bembridge, on why the council were proposing to move the settlement boundaries without consultation. The Cabinet Member for Planning and Community Engagement would provide a response.

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.

An update was requested regarding the floating bridge. The Cabinet Member for Highways PFI, Transport and Infrastructure confirmed that mediation was ongoing and it was believed that the council was near to an agreement without court action. The floating bridge would be back in service on 23 April 2022.

An update was requested on Chillerton and Rookley Primary School. The chairman confirmed that this would be an item on the Cabinet agenda for 12 May 2022.

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 that of one of the policy and scrutiny committees.

The vice chairman asked that details of the Chillerton and Rookley school item should be provided to the Committee prior to the Cabinet meeting in May.

Concern was also raised in regard to the proposed sale of land to the Wildheart Trust, and that there had apparently been no consultation with the Town Council or The Bay regeneration group on how this might affect redevelopment of the area. This matter was being considered by Cabinet on 12 May and there would be an opportunity for the Committee to ask questions beforehand and the item would be included on its agenda.

RESOLVED:

THAT the forward plan be noted.

To note the content of the current work programme, and to approve the scope of three items identified at the last meeting relating to Freedom of Information, Fees and Charges, and Asset Management/Property Rationalisation.

The Chairman presented the scoping documents for approval for the three items which had previously been identified for inclusion in the work programme, in relation to Freedom of Information, Fees and Charges, and Asset Management/Property Rationalisation.

Concern was raised that there would have been no opportunity for the public or members to ask questions at the Cabinet meeting scheduled or 14 April, which had since been cancelled. It was confirmed that when the Cabinet meeting was rescheduled for the Draft Island Planning Strategy, an opportunity for questions would be on the agenda.

RESOLVED:

THAT the content of the current work programme be noted, and a report be requested for the 10 May 2022 meeting regarding the provisions within the Constitution relating to public and member question time.

To receive a verbal update from the Director of Corporate Services on the ‘go live’ aspect of the Council’s new website, including what has been done, any feedback received thus far, and the next stages for Phase 3 of the project.

The Director of Corporate Services provided a verbal update on the ‘go live’ aspect of the council’s new website, including what had been done, reasons for the delay, feedback received thus far, and the next stages for Phase 3 of the project.

RESOLVED:

THAT the update on the council’s website be noted.

To consider the Island Planning Strategy ahead of Extra Ordinary Full Council on 20 April 2022, and to consider the response by the Cabinet Member for Planning and Public Engagement to the recommendations of the Committee’s draft island planning strategy task and finish group.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Community Engagement explained that there had been a lot of engagement with councillors over the previous few weeks, and it had become apparent that more work was needed. It had been suggested that further consideration of the draft strategy should be delayed, therefore the meetings of Cabinet scheduled for 14 April and Full Council on 20 April were to be cancelled, and further dates arranged at a later date.

The Committee requested to receive all the relevant documents more than 5 working days before the rescheduled meetings to give them adequate time to properly digest all the information.

Concern was raised that, although the draft plan had been published on the council’s website there was a need to ensure that members of the public could easily find the document. Additionally, all relevant supporting documents should be available, and these supplied well in advance of any meeting.

Concern was raised that if the Island Plan was adopted before the government released its targets, the council could be bound by its contents. Confirmation was given that legal advice had been sought on this point but had not yet been received.

The Chairman asked whether there would be any unintended consequences of further delay. Confirmation was given that a strategy was required to prevent development that cannot be controlled.

Reference was made to a motion agreed by full Council in November 2021 in related to the tilted balance. The Interim Chief Executive indicated that she would follow up on progress with this.

RESOLVED:

THAT the consideration of the Island Planning Strategy be deferred to a later date, to be confirmed.

To consider progress with implementation of the decision taken by the Cabinet on 14 January 2021. A copy of the report submitted to Cabinet, together with the record of decision, is attached.

An update was given by the Cabinet Member for Highway PFI, Transport and Infrastructure on progress since the decision taken by the Cabinet on 14 January 2021. Some safety measures had already been undertaken, including anti slip road surfacing, hedge trimming and improved signage. Discussions were underway with landowners for a topographical survey to consider the wider visible splay of the junction. The speed review was still in progress, which may result in the speed limit being changed. Traffic light signals had not been recommended and the cost was prohibitive. Computer modelling for this was not currently being considered.

RESOLVED:

THAT the progress to date 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 8 April 2022.

No written questions were received.

Cllr Medland asked a question in relation to the council’s constitution and asked for clarification on which version was currently being used.

Confirmation was given that the most recent version published on 1 April contained some minor amendments made in November 2021 and January 2022 and that a final updated version would be presented at the annual council meeting in May.