Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2021.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2021be confirmed.

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

Councillors Brodie, Jones-Evans, Mosdell and Critchison declared an interest in minute number 49(c), relating to Local Pension Board Appointments, as they were members of the Local Government Pension Scheme.

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, 14 January 2022.

No written questions were received.

To receive the Chairman’s official announcements.

The Chairman stated he had no announcements to make.

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 thanked all staff involved in setting up the evening’s meeting, and presented a summary of her report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting. The Leader congratulated Ian Lloyd, Strategic Manager for Partnerships and Support Services in Adult Social Care on his award of the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his work with the council’s covid-19 helpline and 26-strong community hub response throughout the covid-19 pandemic. The Leader thanked all groups involved for the work done during COVID to support vulnerable adults.

The Leader had recently attended a transport meeting at which mask-wearing was reinforced, although it was acknowledged that changes to the guidance had just been announced. People would need to be responsible for their own safety.

The Adult and Community Learning Service, in particular, staff member Rob Brindley, were thanked for their support in helping to provide 10 places on an HGV driver training theory course, which could lead to long term employability.

A question was asked as to whether the council could set up a recognition scheme for others in the voluntary sector for their work with community hubs. The Leader gave an assurance that she would look into it, in consultation with the Chairman.

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Corporate Resources and Transformational Change summarised the report and explained that the policy was required annually and that some administrative changes had been made from the previous policy, including the removal of the fire service.

The Chairman noted that the gender pay gap had increased by 11 per cent and felt that this was not a good indicator of a council that wished to treat people fairly. He asked whether there were any plans in place to address the gap and ensure there were no differences. Assurance was given that the council was continuing to work to address the issues.

The recommendation was proposed and duly seconded.

A vote was taken, the result of which was:

RESOLVED:

That the updated pay policy as drafted for the period 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Corporate Resources and  Transformational Change summarised the report and explained that the council did not wish to push families into homelessness or unsustainable debt, and was determined to stop the decline in the level of support which had occurred over the previous few years. The level therefore had not been reduced for the coming year. The hardship fund was available for those worst off.

The recommendation was proposed as in the report and duly seconded.

An amendment to the recommendation was proposed by Cllr Garratt and duly seconded, as follows:

“The Corporate Plan has an aspiration to provide greater support to those on low incomes, including through the local council tax support scheme. The Corporate Plan also indicates the council will address issues of fuel poverty. It has been announced that the latest figure for consumer price inflation (December 2021) is 5.4%. This is the highest level since March 1992 with analysts predicting higher levels to come. This, together with the impacts of rising household energy costs, makes it vital that aspiration is turned into decisive action by amending the current LCTS Scheme so that the maximum level of support for working age cases is increased.

If there were no statutory requirement for consultation prior to changes to the scheme Council would restore support to 70% from the current 65% from 1 April 2022.

However, given that there is a requirement to consult, Council agrees to do so as quickly as possible on a scheme seeking to provide for 70% support from 1 April 2023.”

Cllr Jordan proposed that the words “at least” be inserted before “70% support” in the last line of Cllr Garratt’s amendment. This was duly seconded.

Cllrs Garratt and Jarman both accepted the amendment

A vote was then taken, the result of which was:

RESOLVED:

To maintain the current LCTS scheme but allowing for any minor adjustments to annual allowable amounts which are used to offset the calculation.

To consult as quickly as possible on a scheme seeking to provide for at least 70% support from April 2023.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Protection, Digital Transformation, Housing Provision and Housing Need summarised the report. There was a requirement to review and republish the Gambling Act Policy every three years. The current policy was due to expire on 31 January 2022. The policy had been simplified and a full public consultation undertaken. Staff would be working on a local profile with relevant partners. There was cross-chamber support for the policy.

The recommendation was proposed as in the report and a vote was taken, the result of which was:

RESOLVED:

That the Council adopt the draft revised Policy Statement of Licensing Principles 2022 – 2025, at Appendix 1, to come into effect from 31 January 2022.

The Chairman presented the report and explained that many councillors relied on the allowance to compensate for their loss of earnings for the time needed to undertake their council duties. Many people, particularly those self-employed, would not be able to undertake the work without the allowance. The rates had been set by the Independent Remuneration Panel whose role was critical.

It was noted that the Monitoring Officer had granted on 12 January 2022 all councillors a four-year dispensation under Section 33 (2) of the Localism Act 2011 to take part and vote in respect of the Members’ Allowance Scheme and associated matters.

The recommendation was duly seconded and a vote was taken, the result of which was:

RESOLVED:

That the recommendations in the sixteenth report of the Independent Remuneration Panel be approved and that the Panel be thanked for its work in reviewing the Isle of Wight Council Members’ Allowance Scheme.

That the Isle of Wight Council Members’ Allowance Scheme as set out in Appendix 1 of the Independent Remuneration Panel’s report be approved to take effect on and from 1 April 2022, with the basic allowance for 2022/2023 being the amount for 2021/2022 of £8, 231.38 (plus any indexation amount for 2021/2022) and plus any annual indexation amount for 2022/2023 under the terms of the Scheme.

That, before implementation of any adjustment to the 2022/2023 basic allowance amount and any adjustments for subsequent years up to and including 2025/2026, the Independent Remuneration Panel be consulted.

The Chairman presented the report.

An alteration to the wording of the first recommendation (paragraph 4) in the published report to read “Councillor Warren Drew”, rather than “Councillor Joe Robertson” was proposed, and duly seconded.

In respect of the third recommendation (paragraph 6), changes to those appointed to the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education were noted (Appendix 1).

In respect of the final recommendation (paragraph 7), it was noted that a list of proposed amendments to the membership of some Committees had been circulated prior to the meeting (Appendix 2, attached to and forming part of these minutes).

A vote was taken on the above, the result of which was:

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Warren Drew be appointed to the Corporate Scrutiny Committee to replace Councillor Stephen Hastings.

THAT changes be made to the appointments to the relevant political group’s Committee seat allocations, as per the list supplied and circulated prior to the meeting (Appendix 2).

A vote was then taken on the appointments to SACRE the result of which was:

RESOLVED:

That those named in Appendix 1 to the report be appointed to the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE).

The Chairman asked if there were any other nominations for the Chairman of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee, Cllr Joe Robertson having been nominated in advance and duly seconded.

Cllr Richard Quigley was nominated and duly seconded.

A vote was taken, the result of which was:

RESOLVED:

THAT Councillor Richard Quigley be appointed as Chairman of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee.

The Chairman put forward the recommendation in the report which was duly seconded.

A vote was taken, the result of which was:

RESOLVED:

That Mr. Ashley Curzon be appointed to the Local Pension Board as an employer representative.

That the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Chairman of the Pension Fund Committee, be granted delegated authority to make appointments to the Local Pension Board, and to determine any ancillary matters relating to such appointments.

Full Council notes that:

1.              The Cabinet decided on 15th July 2021 to reverse a previous in principle, and communicated decision, which had already approved the calendar for School Term Dates for the academic year 2022-23, with new dates which included a reversion to a one-week October half-term.

2.               This decision was taken following conversations with some headteachers, but not with any parents or students or directly with any other school staff.

Full Council recognises that:

3.               Whilst there are different views as to the merits of this change, the two week October half term was brought in following an extensive consultation. Whilst it still remains possible to now reverse the July decision for the 2022-23 academic year, as schools and families will already have started to plan based on this calendar of School Term Dates, it would be more prudent to leave it as is for this year.

4.               It is, however, regrettable that there was not wider consultation, to include parents and students ahead of this decision – particularly the scrapping of the two-week October half-term.

5.               Many families will have recently enjoyed the many benefits offered by the two-week October half-term, which they will now not be able to do next year.

6.               There is merit in looking again at the structure of School Term Dates for subsequent academic years (2023-24 onwards), and an opportunity should be provided for parents, students and other school staff (as well as headteachers) to offer their views directly to the Council, ahead of a decision.

FullCouncil therefore requests that:

7.               The relevant Cabinet Member will bring a paper to Cabinet early in 2022 setting out how the Council intends to undertake a meaningful consultation with relevant stakeholders on future School Term Dates (2023-24 onwards).

8.               Any such consultation should ensure that stakeholders are given a genuine choice between different options, including one which includes a reversion to a two-week October half term. Views should be sought as to the pros and cons of the different options, looking at both education and other reasons such as wellbeing and quality of life.

9.               The feedback received from this consultation is taken into account ahead of any Cabinet decision to approve a calendar for School Term Dates for the academic year 2023-24

Cllr Brading moved the following amended motion which was duly seconded:

Full Council notes that:

1.              The Cabinet decided on 15^th July 2021 to reverse a previous in principle, and communicated decision, which had already approved the calendar for School Term Dates for the academic year 2022-23, with new dates which included a reversion to a one-week October half-term.

2.               This decision was taken following conversations with some head teachers, but not with any parents or students or directly with any other school staff.

Full Council recognises that:

3.               Whilst there are different views as to the merits of this change, the two-week October half term was brought in following an extensive consultation. Whilst it still remains possible to now reverse the July decision for the 2022-23 academic year, as schools and families will already have started to plan based on this calendar of School Term Dates, it would be more prudent to leave it as is for this year.

4.         It is, however, regrettable that there was not wider consultation, to include parents and students ahead of this decision – particularly the scrapping of the two-week October half-term.

5.         Many families will have recently enjoyed the many benefits offered by the two-week October half-term, which they will now not be able to do next year.

6.         There is merit in looking again at the structure of School Term Dates for subsequent academic years (2023-24 onwards), and an opportunity should be provided for parents, students and other school staff (as well as headteachers) to offer their views directly to the Council, ahead of a decision.

Full Council therefore requests that:

7.        The relevant Cabinet Member will bring a paper to Cabinet early in 2022 setting out how the Council intends to undertake an urgent meaningful consultation with relevant stakeholders on future School Term Dates (2023-24 onwards).

8.         Any such consultation should ensure that stakeholders are given a genuine choice between different options, including one which includes a reversion to a two-week October half term. Views should be sought as to the pros and cons of the different options, looking at both education and other reasons such as wellbeing and quality of life.

9.        The feedback from this consultation is taken into account in advance of the Cabinet decision currently planned for the 10^th March, which may well now need re-scheduling, to approve a calendar for School Term Dates for the academic year 2023-24.

Cllr Andre moved the following amendments to the motion which was duly seconded:

Full Council notes that:

1. The Cabinet decided on 15^th July 2021 to reverse a previous in principle, and communicated decision, which had already approved the calendar for School Term Dates for the academic year 2022-23, with new dates which included a reversion to a one-week October half-term.

2.This decision was taken having written out to schools following a briefing at the headteachers conference. All schools were written to on 17 June 2021 and given until 22 June 2021 to reply.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

That Full Council requests that Cabinet carry out a full consultation with tourism related businesses and residents in the whole Bay area concerning the future of Dinosaur Isle Museum and the surrounding area before making any final decisions on future development of the Museum and the larger associated site.

Councillor Pitcher moved the following motion which was duly seconded:

The letting off of fireworks is an issue that can prove divisive. On one side there are a great many people, particularly children, who enjoy firework displays. The Isle of Wight itself is the home to one such internationally known display held at the end of Cowes Week. On the other side unregulated “back garden” displays cause much distress to homeowners and in particular their pets plus other livestock and animals in the vicinity. 

It would not by the aim of this Motion to ban outright back garden displays. Instead by making the letting off of fireworks a Licensable Activity it would be possible to ensure that adequate warning be given to local people before the event, allowing people to mitigate the effects and for potential concerns to be raised. Such licensing would ensure that adequate publicity is circulated and that other authorities such as the Fire Brigade are alerted. The added scrutiny of a system of licensing would also act to enhance safety awareness.

None of this is currently possible however as the UK Government currently controls all these rules from the centre.  With this in mind:

This Council notes:

1.     The distress and suffering caused to animals and their owners by the act of random and unexpected letting off of fireworks.

2.     That organized firework displays are often safer than ad-hoc events.

3.     That many people enjoy watching fireworks.

4.     That a sensible balanced local approach to this issue would allow both the enjoyment of fireworks by watchers and the security of knowing when displays would happen for local residents and pet and other animal owners.

5.     That currently the Isle of Wight Council licenses the sale of fireworks but does not have the power to control their use.

6.     That the UK Government frequently speak about decentralizing powers to local communities.

This Council requests the UK Government:

1.     Makes the letting off of fireworks a Licensable Activity overseen by Local Authorities.

a.     Ensures a national umbrella of regulation setting basic limits and ensuring the continued permittance of organized firework displays.

b.     Allows Local Authorities the freedom to vary all other constraints.

A vote was then taken, the result of which was:

RESOLVED:

This Council notes:

1.  The distress and suffering caused to animals and their owners by the      act of random and unexpected letting off of fireworks.

2. That organized firework displays are often safer than ad-hoc events.

3. That many people enjoy watching fireworks.

4. That a sensible balanced local approach to this issue would allow both      the enjoyment of fireworks by watchers and the security of knowing      when displays would happen for local residents and pet and other      animal owners.

5. That currently the Isle of Wight Council licenses the sale of fireworks      but does not have the power to control their use.

6. That the UK Government frequently speak about decentralizing      powers to local communities.

This Council requests the UK Government:

1.  Makes the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51a

The letting off of fireworks is an issue that can prove divisive. On one side there are a great many people, particularly children, who enjoy firework displays. The Isle of Wight itself is the home to one such internationally known display held at the end of Cowes Week. On the other side unregulated “back garden” displays cause much distress to homeowners and in particular their pets plus other livestock and animals in the vicinity. 

It would not by the aim of this Motion to ban outright back garden displays. Instead by making the letting off of fireworks a Licensable Activity it would be possible to ensure that adequate warning be given to local people before the event, allowing people to mitigate the effects and for potential concerns to be raised. Such licensing would ensure that adequate publicity is circulated and that other authorities such as the Fire Brigade are alerted. The added scrutiny of a system of licensing would also act to enhance safety awareness.

None of this is currently possible however as the UK Government currently controls all these rules from the centre.  With this in mind:

This Council notes:

1.    The distress and suffering caused to animals and their owners by the act of random and unexpected letting off of fireworks.

2.    That organized firework displays are often safer than ad-hoc events.

3.    That many people enjoy watching fireworks.

4.    That a sensible balanced local approach to this issue would allow both the enjoyment of fireworks by watchers and the security of knowing when displays would happen for local residents and pet and other animal owners.

5.    That currently the Isle of Wight Council licenses the sale of fireworks but does not have the power to control their use.

6.    That the UK Government frequently speak about decentralizing powers to local communities.

This Council requests the UK Government:

1.    Makes the letting off of fireworks a Licensable Activity overseen by Local Authorities.

a.    Ensures a national umbrella of regulation setting basic limits and ensuring the continued permittance of organized firework displays.

b.    Allows Local Authorities the freedom to vary all other constraints.

Councillor Quirk moved the following motion which was duly seconded:

That Full Council requests that Cabinet carry out a full consultation with tourism related businesses and residents in the whole Bay area concerning the future of Dinosaur Isle Museum and the surrounding area before making any final decisions on future development of the Museum and the larger associated site.

Cllr Bacon moved the following amendment to the motion which was accepted by Cllr Quirk and duly seconded:

Full Council notes that as agreed at their meeting on 11^th November 2021 Cabinet will carry out a full consultation with all relevant local and industry stakeholders including tourism related businesses and residents in the whole Bay area concerning the future of Dinosaur Isle Museum and the surrounding area before making any final decisions on future development of the Museum and the larger associated site.

A vote was taken the result of which was:

RESOLVED:

Full Council notes that as agreed at their meeting on 11^th November 2021 Cabinet will carry out a full consultation with all relevant local and industry stakeholders including tourism related businesses and residents in the whole Bay area concerning the future of Dinosaur Isle Museum and the surrounding area before making any final decisions on future development of the Museum and the larger associated site.

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, 13 January 2022. 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.

No written questions had been received.

Councillor Joe Lever asked when the revised draft Island Plan was being updated. The Cabinet Member for Planning and Community Engagement advised that the next phase of the consultation was to take place in late Spring. Approximately 2,800 representations had so far been received.

Councillor Joe Robertson asked whether the Leader agreed that planning policy needed a major overhaul to ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing. The Leader advised that a written response would be sent.

Councillor Matthew Price asked whether the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism would agree that the majority of residents do not want housing at Seaclose Park, and would there be an option in the consultation for no housing at all. The Cabinet Member confirmed that there was an option in the masterplan for no housing.

Councillor Andrew Garratt asked what progress had been made towards changing the management structure of the council to better serve island residents. The Leader advised that there had been many other priorities faced during the pandemic, such as flooding, mental health and financial health and wellbeing, but that a full written response would follow.

Councillor Garratt then reminded Councillors that this was set out in the Corporate Plan and he would like a timetable for the delivery of that part of the Plan.

Councillor John Medland asked whether consultation with Freshwater Parish Council would take place regarding its neighbourhood plan. The Cabinet Member for Planning and Community Engagement advised that a positive meeting had taken place with Bembridge Parish Council and he was also looking forward to meeting with Freshwater Parish Council. There was a need to ensure that neighbourhood plans were fit for purpose.

Councillor David Adams asked for an update on the budget consultation. The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Corporate Resources and Transformational Change advised that the consultation was still ongoing, there had been an online session with Town and Parish Councils, with a further one scheduled for 20 January. The questionnaire had been simplified and messages were being put out on social media and via local radio, encouraging residents to take part. Responses received so far had already exceeded the previous four years’ consultation responses. The draft budget would be published in two weeks’ time as part of the papers for the next Cabinet meeting.

Councillor Mosdell asked for the start and end date for the speed review. The Cabinet Member for Highways PFI, Transport and Infrastructure advised that the review was underway and would continue until November 2022. Reports would come forward in early 2023. Although there was a capital amount in the budget to deliver some of the ‘wish list’ it was very expensive to deliver speed reduction measures, therefore due to budget constraints some villagers would be happy and some would not.

Councillor Karl Love asked for an update of the floating bridge. The Cabinet Member for Highways PFI, Transport and Infrastructure advised that an independent review had been carried out as requested  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.