Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 July 2021.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 21 July 2021 subject to the deletion of the word Earth in Cllr Lucioni’ s declaration of interest.

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

Councillor Julie Jones-Evans declared an interest in minute number 31.1 as she was a member of Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council, she was also a member of Shaping Newport.

Cllrs, Joe Lever, Andrew Garratt and Ray Redrup declared an interest in minute number 31.1 as they were members of the Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council.

Councillor Geoff Brodie declared an interest in minute number 31.1 as he was the Chairman of Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council.

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, 10 September 2021.

Questions were put to the Chairman as follows:

A written question was submitted by Ms N Thomas regarding the progress made to the WAVE Trust 70/30 (PQ/40/21). Cllr Andre will send a written response.

A written question was submitted by Ms T Redpath regarding the Island Plan Strategy (PQ/41/21). Cllr Fuller responded.

Mr D Sargison from Ryde asked an oral question regarding the Ryde Interchange proposal and to support local public toilets, Councillor Jordan advised that he would provide a written response.

Ms S Farrand from Freshwater asked a question regarding the draft Island Planning Strategy and the numbers included local housing need to justify housing numbers, would the council publish the current assessment of local housing need for each parish? Councillor Stephens advised that central government provided the figures for evaluation of affordable housing, the Council would continue to look at each ward to ascertain the housing need on the Island. A full written response would be provided.

Ms Farrand asked a supplementary question regarding a housing need survey that had been undertaken, to look at local need, Councillor Stephens advised he would supply a written response.

Mr Dom Hicklin from Freshwater asked a question regarding development boundaries in the proposed planning strategy, if a site currently within a development boundary was challenged would the site be excluded from the plan? Councillor Fuller advised that it was an emerging plan and cannot be used currently, the Local Authority was unable to stop applications being submitted.

A Supplementary question was then asked, when looking at greenfield sites on the edge of planning envelopes, Councillor Fuller advised that each application was determined on its own merits.

Mr Huw Jenkins from Freshwater asked a question regarding housing allocations in Freshwater, the West Wight had not received economic and infrastructure investment to support proposed housing estates in the area, could this be reviewed? The Cabinet Member asked that comments including evidence be supplied during the consultation period of the draft planning strategy.

A supplementary question was asked if people lived closer to where they worked rather than the shops, that it would be more sustainable development. The Cabinet Member advised that more people now worked from home and would need to be fed into the consultation.

A petition of over 2,500 Island residents has been received.

The petition asks:

That the Isle of Wight Council use the planning process when changing Ryde Esplanade

The procedure for dealing with the petition is:

The petition sponsor, Ms C Foulkes, will have the opportunity to address the Council. (3 minutes maximum) and then the leader will be given opportunity to reply (3 minutes maximum).

Members will have 15 minutes to debate the matter.

Leader to sum up (maximum 2 minutes) and then the petition as stated above will be voted upon.

Members considered a petition of over 2,500 Island residents which had been received in relation to Ryde Interchange.

The organiser of the petition Ms C Foulkes was unwell and the Chairman allowed Mr B White to provide a brief outline of the petition, highlighting several points of interest. Members discussed various aspects of the scheme in both support and against the petition.

Following the debate, a vote was taken, the result of which was as follows:

RESOLVED:

THAT the motion contained in the petition fell.

To receive the Chairman’s official announcements.

The Chairman’s report had been circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting, he advised that he had been approached by the Independent Remuneration chairman to ask councillors to complete the recently circulated survey regarding Member’s Allowances.

RESOLVED:

THAT the Chairman’s report be noted.

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 presented her report and acknowledged that in recent months staff and Island residents had passed away or were in hospital. An event at Carisbrooke Castle had been attended to mark Thank You day, up to 4,000 residents had been involved in community work during the pandemic. Congratulations were given to the number of people including staff and Councillors who took part in the Walk the Wight event the previous weekend.

A question was raised regarding the significantly higher level of unemployment figures on the Island compared with the national average, and what was being done to address the situation. The Leader advised that unemployment figures for August were lower than the national average, however it did not understate the importance of growing the Island’s economy and creating more job opportunities for local people. It was acknowledged that businesses in the visitor and hospitality sector had struggled to recruit both skilled and unskilled staff. Discussion with IW College and Visit IW were ongoing.

The Leader congratulated those involved in setting up Community hubs at the start of the pandemic, she also acknowledged the money received in grants for the government’s brownfield land release fund.

A question was raised in regard to the St Mary’s junction, assurance was given that future traffic schemes would look at greater pedestrian and cyclist access.

The Leader introduced the report and put forward the recommendation which was duly seconded.

A vote was taken the result of which was:

RESOLVED:

That the scheme of co-option (voting rights scheme) set out in the Appendix be approved.

That the Monitoring Officer be granted delegated authority to publish the statutory notice in one or more newspapers circulating in the area.

The Leader formally moved the report, Councillor Debbie Andre was nominated to the Appointments and Employment Committee which was duly seconded

A vote was taken en-bloc the result of which was:

RESOLVED:

1.             To approve the review of political proportionality.

2.             To appoint those nominated by Alliance Group to their vacant allocated seats.

3.             To appoint Cllr Geoff Brodie to the two new unallocated seats, namely to the Appeals Committee and to the Planning Committee

4.             To appoint Cllr Shirley Smart to serve as a non-voting co-opted member of the Planning Committee.

5.             To appoint Cllr Kai Wacker to serve as the IWALC representative on the Health and Wellbeing Board and to appoint Cllr Shirley Smart to serve as the authorised substitute for Cllr Kai Wacker as the IWALC representative.

6.             To appoint Cllr Debbie Andre to the Appointments and Employment Committee.

Council notes that:

1)    Her Majesty the Queen has agreed for a competition to be held to grant the prestigious civic honour of ‘city status’ to a select number of towns in the United Kingdom, to mark her Platinum Jubilee.

2)    Local authorities can enter this competition, showcasing their civic pride, interesting heritage and record of innovation, in order to make the case for awarding a town one of these honours.

3)    It is widely recognised that the prestige associated with becoming a city can support efforts to boost prosperity and attract visitors.

4)    The Isle of Wight is one of a minority of English counties without a city; whereas neighbouring Hampshire has three.

Council therefore agrees that:

1)    The Council prepares a draft bid to nominate the Island’s County Town for city status.

2)    It will seek the support of Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council as a partner in this bid, along with local businesses, organisations and the public, particularly in Newport.

3)    The proposed submission is tabled as an agenda item for the Council meeting on 17^th November 2021, for approval, ahead of submission to the Cabinet Office by the deadline of 8^th December 2021.

Councillor Oliver moved the following motion with the inclusion of Option 4 recommended by Cabinet on 9 September 2021 the motion was duly seconded:

Council notes that:

1)    Her Majesty the Queen has agreed for a competition to be held to grant the prestigious civic honour of ‘city status’ to a select number of towns in the United Kingdom, to mark her Platinum Jubilee.

2)    Local authorities can enter this competition, showcasing their civic pride, interesting heritage and record of innovation, in order to make the case for awarding a town one of these honours.

3)    It is widely recognised that the prestige associated with becoming a city can support efforts to boost prosperity and attract visitors.

4)    The Isle of Wight is one of a minority of English counties without a city; whereas neighbouring Hampshire has three.

Council therefore agrees that:

1)    The Council prepares a draft bid to nominate the Island’s County Town for city status.

2)    It will seek the support of Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council as a partner in this bid, along with local businesses, organisations and the public, particularly in Newport.

3)    The proposed submission is tabled as an agenda item for the Council meeting on 17 November 2021, for approval, ahead of submission to the Cabinet Office by the deadline of 8 December 2021.

4)    The bid to be approved by those delegated to act on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council, Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council and the Shaping Newport Steering Group.

A vote was taken the results were as follows:

RESOLVED:

THAT

1)    Her Majesty the Queen has agreed for a competition to be held to grant the prestigious civic honour of ‘city status’ to a select number of towns in the United Kingdom, to mark her Platinum Jubilee.

2)    Local authorities can enter this competition, showcasing their civic pride, interesting heritage and record of innovation, in order to make the case for awarding a town one of these honours.

3)    It is widely recognised that the prestige associated with becoming a city can support efforts to boost prosperity and attract visitors.

4)    The Isle of Wight is one of a minority of English counties without a city; whereas neighbouring Hampshire has three.

Council therefore agrees that:

5)    The Council prepares a draft bid to nominate the Island’s County Town for city status.

6)    It will seek the support of Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council as a partner in this bid, along with local businesses, organisations and the public, particularly in Newport.

7)    The proposed submission is tabled as an agenda item for the Council meeting on 17 November 2021, for approval, ahead of submission to the Cabinet Office by the deadline of 8 December 2021.

8)    The bid to be approved by those delegated to act on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council, Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council and the Shaping Newport Steering Group.

On 18^th November 2020, Council asked the then Cabinet to explore the cost and feasibility of acquiring mobile average speed cameras for future use on the Island. On 24^th February 2021, Council approved a budget for 2021/22, which included an allocation of £300,000 for purchasing these cameras.

Given that this capital allocation is for the current financial year, Council urges the Cabinet to proceed with the purchase of these mobile average speed cameras without delay, so that they can be deployed as soon as possible for the benefit of communities around the Island.

Councillor Hastings advised that he had received and accepted an amendment to the original motion prior to the start of the meeting and moved the following which was duly seconded:

On 18 November 2020, Council asked the then Cabinet to explore the cost and feasibility of acquiring mobile average speed cameras for future use on the Island. On 24 February 2021, Council approved a budget for 2021/22, which included an allocation of £300,000 for purchasing these cameras.

Given that this capital allocation is for the current financial year, Council urges the Cabinet to proceed with the development of a business case to investigate these mobile average speed cameras, identifying the costs and effectiveness of the use of the cameras across the Island, taking advice from the Policy Committee for Regeneration and Transport.

A vote was taken and the results were as follows:

RESOLVED:

THAT On 1^h November 2020, Council asked the then Cabinet to explore the cost and feasibility of acquiring mobile average speed cameras for future use on the Island. On 24 February 2021, Council approved a budget for 2021/22, which included an allocation of £300,000 for purchasing these cameras.

Given that this capital allocation is for the current financial year, Council urges the Cabinet to proceed with the development of a business case to investigate these mobile average speed cameras, identifying the costs and effectiveness of the use of the cameras across the Island, taking advice from the Policy Committee for Regeneration and Transport.

The impacts of irreversible Climate Change are being felt across the UK and around the world. Global temperatures have increased by over 1 degree Celsius from pre-industrial levels. Without significant and sustained action, the world is set to exceed the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit by 2040. Therefore, the current UK target of net zero carbon by 2050 is too little too late.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, limiting heating to 1.5°C may still be possible with significant and immediate action from national and local authorities such as the Isle of Wight, as well as wider society. Investing now would not only help avoid a cataclysmic climate and ecological tipping point but can also bring many benefits in the form of good jobs, breathable towns and thriving communities.

Council notes that: 

1. Many local authorities are playing an important role in the UK taking action to achieve net zero carbon 
2. The Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill currently before Parliament states that the UK Government must develop an emergency strategy that: 

Isle of Wight Council therefore resolves to: 

1. Support the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill;
2. Inform the local media of this decision;
3. Write to local Member of Parliament, asking them to support the CEE Bill; and
4. Write to the CEE Bill Alliance, the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, expressing its support (campaign@ceebill.uk).

Councillor Lever moved the following motion which was duly seconded:

The impacts of irreversible Climate Change are being felt across the UK and around the world. Global temperatures have increased by over 1 degree Celsius from pre-industrial levels. Without significant and sustained action, the world is set to exceed the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit by 2040. Therefore, the current UK target of net zero carbon by 2050 is too little too late.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, limiting heating to 1.5°C may still be possible with significant and immediate action from national and local authorities such as the Isle of Wight, as well as wider society. Investing now would not only help avoid a cataclysmic climate and ecological tipping point but can also bring many benefits in the form of good jobs, breathable towns and thriving communities.

Council notes that: 

1. Many local authorities are playing an important role in the UK taking action to achieve net zero carbon 
2. The Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill currently before Parliament states that the UK Government must develop an emergency strategy that: 

Isle of Wight Council therefore resolves to: 

1. Support the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill;
2. Inform the local media of this decision;
3. Write to local Member of Parliament, asking them to support the CEE Bill; and
4. Write to the CEE Bill Alliance, the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, expressing its support (campaign@ceebill.uk).

During the debate Cllr Lever asked in accordance with the Council’s Constitution Part 4B section 10 (Voting) that a named vote be taken, he was supported by four other Councillors.

A named vote was taken the result of which were as follows:

For (21)

Councillors Geoff Brodie (Chairman), David Adams, Debbie Andre, Jonathan Bacon, Ian Dore, Rodney Downer, Paul Fuller, Chris Jarman, Julie Jones-Evans, Phil Jordan, Joe Lever, Michael Lilley, Karl Love, Karen Lucioni, Lora Peacey-Wilcox, Ian Stephens, Andrew Garratt, Richard Quigley, Warren Drew, Stephen Hendry, Claire Critchison.

Against (5)

Councillors Daryll Pitcher, Michael Beston, Vanessa Churchman, Joe Robertson, Ian Ward

Abstention (6)

Councillors Steve Hastings,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31c

To receive a reply to a question asked during Members’ Question Time, a question must be submitted in writing or by electronic mail to Democratic Services no later than 5pm on Thursday, 9 September 2021. 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 Richard Quigley asked if serious steps to ensure the Council becomes a Living Wage employer in a set period of time would be achieved, the Leader advised that it was an aspiration of the administration to help people out of poverty, however this was a challenge and would involve a number of agencies. A number of things had to be considered when making the decision and she asked that Cllr Quigley assist the Alliance group by leading in a piece of work to consider the impact on the Isle of Wight Council and wider community.

Councillor Joe Roberston asked if the opportunity to make changes to the road layout for Ryde Interchange remained and if so when. The Cabinet Member for Highways PFI, Transport and Infrastructure advised he would provide a written response.

Councillor Richard Quigley asked for an outline of the Adult Social Care situation on the Island, he was advised by the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health that we would be in a worse situation next year without any additional funding, this would have an impact on services. The Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate Resources and Transformational Change advised that an impact assessment was underway and would be circulated to all councillors.

Councillor Richard Quigley asked if the Isle of Wight Council were supporting the Afghan settlement programme, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Protection, Digital Transformation and Housing Needs advised he would supply a written response.