Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2023.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2023 be approved.

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

Please note that the Monitoring Officer on 21 January 2022 granted all councillors a four year full dispensation under section 33 (2) of the Localism Act 2011 to remain in the meeting room and to speak and to vote on the budget including setting the council tax or a precept under the Local Government and Finance Act 1992 (or any subsequent legislation), notwithstanding the existence of any disclosable pecuniary interest(s). For clarity this dispensation relates to disclosable pecuniary interests only and does not affect a councillor’s obligation under section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to declare and not vote if they are two months or more in arrears with their council tax at the time of the meeting on setting the council’ budget.

No declarations were received at this stage.

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 by delivery 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. Normally, Full Council is held on a Wednesday, therefore the deadline for written questions will be Friday, 17 February 2023.

Mr S Cowley had submitted a written question (PQ-07-23) Ms L Blackledge had submitted a written question (PO-08-23)

Mr A Whittaker asked if Councillor Jordan would meet with Lake Parish Council to discuss the Tesco crossing, Councillor Jordan said he was happy to meet with all interested parties, including the Local Councillor.

Mr O McClean asked what was the impact on young people of this budget and how were young people consulted? The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills advised that the Council had sought to protect Children’s Services within the budget given the statutory nature of the work and the importance of our children’s future. She went on to confirm the views of young people were valued and the Youth Council were being involved in public consultations.

To receive the Chairman’s official announcements.

The Chairman advised that she had attended a number of civic and community events which included the installation of the Archdeacon and the opening of Building 41 in Northwood, she also attended the Dark Skies Festival.

A visit from the 6^th Newport, St Johns Scout group to the Council Chamber was extremely successful.

a)              To receive the Leader’s update report (5 minutes maximum).

b)              Members questions on the Leader’s update report (15 minutes maximum).

The Leader introduced her report.

A question was asked about the 10-year drug strategy from Harm to Hope and the input from both the police and justice system, the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care advised that they worked closely with all organisations, funding had been extended for a further year.

A question was asked regarding the access for pedestrians and cyclist with the new Ryde Interchange work. The Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Highways PFI and Transport advised that the Ryde Interchange project was underway and due to complete by the end of April  or early May 2023, the scheme had been designed around the cycleway, which had been an integral part of the Department for Transport grant award.

The Leader was asked if a review of efficient use of  Council buildings was being undertaken, she advised that a lot of buildings had been updated with heat pumps and solar panels and that a review of buildings had been requested.

A question was asked regarding the Suicide Prevention Strategy and how it was working, the Mental Health Champion advised that work had been underway with Public Health, Healthwatch and the relevant Cabinet Member to develop yearly grant funding for small grass roots projects, which had been successful.

The Leader was asked to agree that she would do what she could to encourage those eligible to vote were made aware that Identification would be provided at polling stations, to encourage those people to vote during elections, she advised that work was being done nationally to publicise the requirement of Identification when voting at polling stations to encourage people to vote, more local work would be undertaken closer to any scheduled elections, the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills advised that work in a school and with the Youth Trust was being undertaken.

The Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism was asked to provide more information regarding Building 41 in Northwood and the sustainability of the building, The Cabinet Member thanked those who attended the opening and advised that the office space was filling up and the next phase was being costed to provide more office space.

1.          It is recommended that the Council approve the following:

(a)    The revised Revenue Budget for the financial year 2022/23 and the Revenue Budget for the financial year 2023/24 as set out in the General Fund Summary (Appendix 1) which includes:

(i)      Additional spending in Adult Social Care of £7.6m and Children's  Services of £4.3m

(ii)    No Revenue Contribution to Capital in 2022/23 or 2023/24

(iii)   The Covid Contingency estimated at £4.2m, to guard against continuing and legacy risks

(b)    Any variation arising from the Local Government Finance Settlement 2023/24 or any further savings made in 2022/23 arising at the year-end (after allowing for specific carry forward requests) be transferred to the Revenue Reserve for Capital, Covid Contingency, Transformation Reserve, and General Reserves with the level of each transfer to be determined by the S.151 Officer.

(c)    That the level of Council Tax be increased by 2.99% for general purposes in accordance with the referendum threshold^[1] for 2023/24 announced by Government (as calculated in Appendix 2)

(d)    That the level of Council Tax be increased by a further 2.0% beyond the referendum threshold (as calculated in Appendix 2) to take advantage of the flexibility offered by Government to implement a "Social Care Precept"; and that in accordance with the conditions of that flexibility, the full amount of the associated sum generated of £1,872,500 is passported direct to Adult Social Care

(e)    That the amounts set out in Appendix 2 be now calculated by the Council for the financial year 2023/24 in accordance with Section 31 and Sections 34 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992

(f)     The S.151 Officer be given delegated authority to implement any variation to the overall level of Council Tax arising from the final notification of the Hampshire Police & Crime Commissioner, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Authority and Parish and Town Council precepts, and amend the calculations set out in Appendix 2 accordingly

(g)    The savings proposals for each Portfolio amounting, in total, to £3.895m for 2023/24 and continuing into future years as set out on the next page:

A 2023/24 budget and Council Tax setting report had been received from the Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Transformational Change and Corporate Resources. Alternative budgets had been submitted from Councillor Brodie and the Liberal Democrat Group, these had been accepted by the Section 151 Officer as being legal and presented a balanced budget.

The Leader moved all budget proposals which was duly seconded.

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Transformational change and Corporate Resources was invited to speak on behalf of the Leader regarding the Cabinet budget proposals and the submitted alternative budget amendments.

An amendment to the proposal attached as Appendix 1 (and forming part of these minutes) was moved by Councillor G Brodie.

An amendment to the proposal attached as Appendix 2 (and forming part of these minutes) was moved by Councillor A Garratt.

The other group Leaders and ungrouped Councillors were asked if they would like to make comment on the budget proposals and any alternative budgets.

Other members of the council also made comment on all the budget proposals.

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Transformational change and Corporate Resources, the proposers of the amendments and the other group leaders then summed up.

A named vote was taken on Councillor G Brodie’s amendment, the results were as follows:

For (15)

Cllrs M Beston, P Brading, G Brodie, V Churchman, W Drew, S Hendry, C Mosdell, M Oliver, T Outlaw, M Price, C Quirk, R Redrup, J Robertson, P Spink, I Ward

Against (20)

Cllrs D Andre, J Bacon, C Critchison, I Dore, R Downer, P Fuller, A Garratt, C Jarman, J Jones Evans, P Jordan, J Lever, M Lilley, K Love, K Lucioni, J Medland, J Nicholson, L Peacey Wilcox, R Quigley, I Stephens, N Stuart

Abstain (1)

Cllr G Peace

The amendment fell

A named vote was taken on Councillor A Garratt’s amendment, the results were as follows:

For (13)

Cllrs M Beston, P Brading, G Brodie, V Churchman, W Drew, A Garratt, T Outlaw, C Quirk, R Redrup, J Robertson, P Spink, N Stuart, I Ward

Against (22)

Cllrs D Andre, J Bacon, C Critchison, I Dore, R Downer, P Fuller, S Hendry, C Jarman, J Jones Evans, P Jordan, J Lever, M Lilley, K Love, K Lucioni, J Medland, C Mosdell, J Nicholson, M Oliver, L Peacey Wilcox,  M Price,

R Quigley, I Stephens

Abstain (1)

Cllr G Peace

The amendment fell.

A named vote was taken on the substantive budget, the results were as follows:

For (21)

Cllrs D Andre, J Bacon, C Critchison, I Dore, R Downer, P Fuller, A Garratt, C Jarman, J Jones-Evans, P Jordan, J Lever, M Lilley, K Love, K Lucioni, J Medland, M Oliver, T Outlaw, L Peacey Wilcox, I Stephens, N Stuart, R Quigley

Against (4)

Cllrs G Brodie, C Mosdell, J Nicholson, M Price

Abstain (11)

Cllrs M Beston, P Brading, V Churchman, W Drew, S Hendry, G Peace, C Quirk, R Redrup, J Robertson, P Spink, I Ward

RESOLVED:

1.          THAT  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Transformational change and Corporate Resources introduced the report and proposed the recommendations which was duly seconded.

A vote was taken the results were as follows:

RESOLVED

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Transformational change and Corporate Resources advised this was a government allocation of funding to support residents in receipt of Local Council Tax Support, he proposed the recommendations which was duly seconded.

A vote was taken the results were as follows:

RESOLVED:

      (i)            THAT the Council adopt the draft Council Tax Support Grant Scheme as attached in Appendix 1 to provide additional support to eligible Local Council Tax Support claimants as at 1 April 2023.

    (ii)            THAT a discretionary scheme is developed which awards £25 to newly eligible LCTS claimants after 1 April 2023 and to delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Transformational Change and Corporate Resources to agree further details of the discretionary scheme.

To receive a reply to a question asked during Members’ Question Time to the Leader or Cabinet Member, a question must be submitted in writing or by electronic mail to Democratic Services no later than 5pm on Thursday, 16 February 2023. 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.

Councillor M Price asked if an update regarding the disposal of Yarmouth school could be provided to all Councillors, the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills advised that the building had been listed as an asset of community value, further information would be circulated to all councillors.

Councillor A Garratt requested information regarding the publication of the Acquisition Strategy, the Leader advised she would provide a written response.

Councillor K Love, asked for an update regarding the Norris Castle planning application, the Studio School and the recently awarded film studio, he was advised that the heads of terms regarding the film studio was underway and there would be media publication going out, both the Cabinet Member for Planning and Enforcement, and the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills advised they would provide a written response.

Councillor N Stuart asked if traders parking permits could be investigated and a timescale provided for implementation, the Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Highways PFI and Transport advised that work had started and information would be supplied soon.

Councillor M Oliver asked if the Fall Prevention, Social Care and Brooklime house support could be considered by the relevant Scrutiny Committee, Councillor J Nicholson advised that it was already on the workplan.