Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies had been received from Cllr Drew. Cllr Vanessa Churchman was in attendance as a substitute for Cllr Suzie Ellis.

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2023.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 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, 5 October 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.

An update was sought with regards to the request of the committee in January 2023 to receive a copy of the review of leisure centres once it had been completed. It was confirmed that the review was still underway, and it was anticipated that more information would be available to share with the committee by the end of November 2023.

Reference was made to the request of the committee in February 2023 to receive a copy of the signed heads of agreement in relation to the proposed disposal of Kingston Marine Park. It was confirmed that work was still underway, and this would be circulated to the committee once complete.

The chairman advised that he would discuss with the Leader the formal request made by members of the committee in March 2023 to view the confidential Floating Bridge settlement.

Reference was made to the request of the committee in September 2023 to receive a copy of the report setting out the findings and recommendations following the independent review of the Floating Bridge. It was confirmed that this work should be completed in the coming months and would be presented when available.

Attention was drawn to the response which had been circulated regarding the question raised at the previous meeting around what the supplementary planning document did to make affordable housing affordable to residents on-or-below the average Island wage.

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.

Consideration was given to the committee’s work programme and 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.

It was agreed that the Cyber Security Strategy, due for decision in December 2023, would be added to the committee’s workplan for its next meeting on 7 November 2023.

It was confirmed that the Disposal of potential housing site(s) in East Cowes, due for decision by the Cabinet in January 2023, would be considered by the committee at its meeting in January 2023. It was suggested that the Cabinet Member liaise with the local ward member on this matter beforehand.

Discussion took place with regards to delegated decisions and commercial confidentiality, and it was agreed that the chairman would have the discussion with the Monitoring Officer in relation to the transparency of delegated decisions. The chairman confirmed that issues around confidentiality and access-to-information had been discussed with the Chief Executive, who had agreed to take this matter forward.

RESOLVED:

THAT the forward plan, and the committee’s workplan, be noted.

To consider a call-in of the delegated decision taken on 1 September 2023.

Consideration was given to the call-in of the delegated decision taken by the Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration, Culture, and Leisure on 1 September 2023, to award a 5-year lease to Browns Golf Course in Sandown, subject to a break-clause.

The chairman introduced the item and invited the lead member for the call-in to present the reasons for the call-in, which included concerns around the consultation of the decision, and the commitment of funding to a site in a way which may not be compatible with the Bay Regeneration Plan, which was being developed in partnership with the three local town and parish councils and had not yet been completed.

The Monitoring Officer confirmed that the decision taken was lawful, and the Director of Finance provided a statement confirming that the decision was within the Council’s policy framework and budget.

The Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration, Culture and Leisure responded to the call-in and provided an overview of how and why the decision was made, and the factors considered in making the decision. The ward member for Sandown North expressed support for the decision and the Strategic Director of Community Services provided background and context to the decision.

Questions were raised with regards to the financial forecast of the investment against rental income, building maintenance and the cost of repairs, expressions of interest in the site, community value, and the break clause.

Following discussion, it was proposed (and duly seconded), that the Cabinet be asked to defer the decision until the Bay Plan has been completed and approved, and any decision on granting the lease be measured against the Bay Plan, and in the meantime to allow the facility to operate under a Licence to Occupy. Following a vote, the recommendation fell.

RESOLVED:

THAT the decision of the Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration, Culture and Leisure be noted.

To consider the Cabinet report and any recommendations from the Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Neighbourhoods and Regeneration following discussion of the item at the 5 October 2023 meeting.

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Coastal Protection and Flooding provided a brief update on the progress with the draft Island Planning Strategy in response to the upcoming national policy changes and legislation.

It was advised that an additional meeting of the Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Neighbourhoods and Regeneration was being scheduled to be held in December 2023, to consider the matter in detail at a point where more information would be available, and members of the committee would be invited to attend.

RESOLVED:

THAT the update be noted.

To consider the councils approach and partnership working in regard to scam and fraud prevention as outlined in the scoping document approved in May 2023.

Consideration was given to the report which detailed the councils approach and partnership working with regards to scam and fraud prevention. The Trading Standards Manager provided an overview of the activities undertaken to protect local people and businesses from scams and fraud, doorstep crime, and to support victims. The collaborative work of the Isle of Wight Against Scams Partnership (IWASP) was highlighted. It was suggested that a follow-up report be provided in one year, in order for the committee to assess the work being undertaken and be in a position to have more data.

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 6 October 2023.

No written questions were received.

Cllr Karl Love asked a question in relation to how many councillors cross-party had been approached by the Leader when appointing his new Cabinet. The Leader advised that group leaders had been approached seeking interest in Cabinet roles, all of which had been declined.