Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2023.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2023 be approved.

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

Councillor P Fuller declared a non pecuniary interest in minute number 33a (Youth Justice Plan) as he was a Youth court magistrate.

Councillor J Jones-Evans declared an interest in minute number 35 as she had commenced her role on Arts council England south west regional council she would be leaving the room for the item.

Councillor C Jarman declared a non pecuniary interest in minute number 33a (Youth Justice Plan) as he was a Justice of the Peace and would not take part in the item.

It was noted that all Councillors could procure a reduced rate parking permit for long stay car parks when undertaking council business (minute number 36)

To fill the vacancy that has arisen through the resignation of the Leader (effective 6pm Wednesday, 20 September 2023) for the remainder of the period to the Annual Meeting of the Council in May 2025 under the terms of the Constitution.

The names of Councillor Suzie Ellis and Councillor Phil Jordan were separately nominated and seconded, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution Part 4B section 10 (Voting) four Councillors present requested a named vote be taken

A named vote was taken the result of which was:

Councillor Jordan (19)

Councillors D Adams, D Andre, J Bacon, G Brodie, C Critchison, I Dore, R Downer, P Fuller, A Garratt, J Jones-Evans, P Jordan, J Lever, M Lilley, K Lucioni, L Peacey Wilcox, R Quigley, S Redrup, I Stephens, N Stuart

Cllr Ellis (19)

Councillors M Beston, P Brading, V Churchman, W Drew, S Ellis, S Hendry, C Jarman, J Medland, C Mosdell, J Nicholson, M Oliver, T Outlaw, G Peace, M Price, C Quirk, R Redrup, J Robertson, P Spink, I Ward

Abstain (1)

Councillor K Love

As the vote was tied, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution the Chairman gets a casting vote, the Chairman voted for Councillor Jordan

RESOLVED:

THAT Councillor Phil Jordan be elected as Executive Leader until Annual council May 2025.

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,15 September 2023.

There were no written public questions submitted.

A question was asked by Ms L Blackledge regarding the provision in place for people who felt they had to close businesses due to the levy required to be paid, Councillor J Jones-Evans advised that she was unable to discuss individual cases however she would liaise with Visit Isle of Wight regarding the levy fee and ask them to contact the business directly. Cllr D Andre also agreed to supply details of the Holiday Activity Fund (HAF).

Mr C Palin asked a question to the newly appointed Leader regarding greater working together he was advised that there was already a lot of working together.

To receive the Chairman’s official announcements.

The Chairman advised that she had attended several events, which included:

• Trinity Church in Cowes for the Late Queen and Duke
• Allocation of awards for the Duke of Edinburgh awards
• Civic Day at Basingstoke and Deane Council

The Isle of Wight Walking Festival arranged for the following month was fully booked.

The chairman’s charity walk during the Isle of Wight Walking Festival, taking place in the following month was fully booked.

She thanked the Vice Chairman for his attendance at some events during the summer in her absence.

a)             To receive the former Leader’s update report.

b)             To receive the elected Executive Leader’s announcements

RESOLVED:

THAT the outgoing Leader Update report be noted.

The Monitoring Officer advised Council that due to the by election (Wootton Bridge) the proportionality on Council meetings had been reviewed and changed, nominations had been requested from all group leaders and the non-aligned Councillors, he updated the nominations which had been received following the publication of the report and associated appendices.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution Part 4B Section 10 (voting) four councillors requested a named vote on the alternative arrangements for the recommendation that Cllr R Quigley be temporarily appointed to the Appointments and Employment Committee for the recruitment of the Director of Children’s Services.

A named vote was taken the result of which was:

For (34)

Councillors D Adams, D Andre, J Bacon, M Beston, P Brading, G Brodie, V Churchman, C Critchison, I Dore, R Downer, W Drew, S Ellis, P Fuller, S Hendry, C Jarman, J Jones-Evans, P Jordan, J Lever, K Love, K Lucioni, J Medland, C Mosdell, J Nicholson, M Oliver, G Peace, L Peacey Wilcox, M Price, R Quigley, C Quirk, R Redrup, J Robertson, P Spink, I Stephens, I Ward.

Against (2)

Councillors A Garratt, N Stuart

Abstain (1)

Councillor S Redrup

The Monitoring Officer advised that as two Councillors voted against the recommendation then the alternative arrangements cannot be passed by law, therefore the motion fell.

Several nominations were made prior to and during the debate on this item (attached to and forming part of these minutes)

Following further discussion, a proposal was made and duly seconded to agree recommendation numbers four and six.

A vote was taken the result of which was:

RESOLVED:

      I.         THAT the review of political proportionality subject to the proposed alternative arrangements be agreed.

    II.         THAT the nominations and appointments set out in Appendix 2 (as amended) be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Lifelong Skills presented the annual report, the recommendation was proposed and duly seconded a vote was taken the result of which was:

RESOLVED:

THAT the Isle of Wight Youth Justice Plan 2023/24 be endorsed.

That this Council supports Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hub’s bid for funding from the DfE and Arts Council England to be the Hub Lead Organisation for our geographical region.

Southampton and Isle Of Wight Music Hub’s aim is to make quality musical opportunities accessible, affordable, enjoyable and educational to all children and young people aged 0-18. Through supporting and delivering music in schools and the community, Isle of Wight Music Hub ensures that every child has access to the ongoing music making that drives long lasting, meaningful transformation.

The partnership draws upon the strengths of the collective group, reflective of the cultural and artistic diversity of the island and celebrates the musical achievement of children and young people on the Isle of Wight. As trustees of The Island Collection and Chair of IWCEP they are very well versed in the Cultural Strategy and they align with the direction of travel.

They currently work with 100% of schools and settings across the island in some capacity.  Their hub programme of activities this year alone has reached close to 7500 children (close to 50% of the IOWs school population) through events, performances, activities, workshops, and CPD.  Schools, headteachers and music leaders all see them as a first point of contact for support with music due to the quality of their delivery or training or the offers that they give them via the hub menu to take part in projects, workshops and events for free.

Funded by the DfE via the Arts Council their core funding for Southampton and Isle of Wight has enabled them to secure a further £556,000 of funding plus a further £2 million of leveraged funding, supporting the wider music and cultural ecosystem on the IOW supporting and allowing greater access to music, instruments, and performance opportunities for schools and young people.

IOW Music Hub is committed to ensuring that there are high quality musical activities to meet the needs of all children and young people. Through a range of innovative approaches, they seek to develop inclusion, participation and progression for children in schools, the community and beyond.  They have referral systems with the IOW YOT for NEET YP and work closely with all the SEND settings using music as an intervention and to support wellbeing and social and emotional outcomes.

The IOW Music Hub have a proven track record in excellence. Their experience in rehabilitating what was a non-existent partnership on the IOW in the past 7 years has provided them with the vision, innovation and strategy needed to successfully manage a full and varied offer. If they are successful in this bid, they will be able to continue to inspire and enthuse our island young people for the next academic year and beyond.

Councillor J Jones-Evans left the room for this item.

Councillor D Andre moved the following motion with an alteration (in bold) which was duly seconded:

That this Council endorses Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hub’s bid for funding from the DfE and Arts Council England to be the Hub Lead Organisation for our geographical region. This comes with the proviso that the Isle of Wight has equal representation as part of the larger geographical area.

Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hub’s aim is to make quality musical opportunities accessible, affordable, enjoyable and educational to all children and young people aged 0-18. Through supporting and delivering music in schools and the community, Isle of Wight Music Hub ensures that every child has access to the ongoing music making that drives long lasting, meaningful transformation.

The partnership draws upon the strengths of the collective group, reflective of the cultural and artistic diversity of the island and celebrates the musical achievement of children and young people on the Isle of Wight. As trustees of The Island Collection and Chair of IWCEP they are very well versed in the Cultural Strategy and they align with the direction of travel.

They currently work with 100% of schools and settings across the island in some capacity.  Their hub programme of activities this year alone has reached close to 7500 children (close to 50% of the IOWs school population) through events, performances, activities, workshops, and CPD.  Schools, headteachers and music leaders all see them as a first point of contact for support with music due to the quality of their delivery or training or the offers that they give them via the hub menu to take part in projects, workshops and events for free.

Funded by the DfE via the Arts Council their core funding for Southampton and Isle of Wight has enabled them to secure a further £556,000 of funding plus a further £2 million of leveraged funding, supporting the wider music and cultural ecosystem on the IOW supporting and allowing greater access to music, instruments, and performance opportunities for schools and young people.

IOW Music Hub is committed to ensuring that there are high quality musical activities to meet the needs of all children and young people. Through a range of innovative approaches, they seek to develop inclusion, participation and progression for children in schools, the community and beyond.  They have referral systems with the IOW YOT for NEET YP and work closely with all the SEND settings using music as an intervention and to support wellbeing and social and emotional outcomes.

The IOW Music Hub have a proven track record in excellence. Their experience in rehabilitating what was a non-existent partnership on the IOW in the past 7 years has provided them with the vision, innovation and strategy needed to successfully manage a full and varied offer. If they are successful in this bid, they will be able to continue to inspire and enthuse our island young people for the next academic  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

That the Isle of Wight Council’s Staff Parking Permit Scheme be amended to reflect the modernisation of its slimline workforce in delivering multiple service and business needs to the people of our Island by extending the Scheme to cover all 24/7 parking for a registered vehicle in all council Long Stay carparks, with the permit attached to the registered vehicle and not as currently, to the named employee or volunteer. This enables equality of application use and parity between the public scheme and workplace use and therefore there is no need for complicated differential rules within enforcement procedures. This scheme recognises and values the additional unpaid efforts of our workforce and volunteers who so often go above and beyond to ensure that our customer’s, the people of our Island, receive the best services of our council in a timely manageable and flexible way.

Councillor K Love moved the following motion which was duly seconded:

That the Isle of Wight Council’s Staff Parking Permit Scheme be amended to reflect the modernisation of its slimline workforce in delivering multiple service and business needs to the people of our Island by extending the Scheme to cover all 24/7 parking for a registered vehicle in all council Long Stay carparks, with the permit attached to the registered vehicle and not as currently, to the named employee or volunteer. This enables equality of application use and parity between the public scheme and workplace use and therefore there is no need for complicated differential rules within enforcement procedures. This scheme recognises and values the additional unpaid efforts of our workforce and volunteers who so often go above and beyond to ensure that our customer’s, the people of our Island, receive the best services of our council in a timely manageable and flexible way.

Following discussion, the Chairman decided that the motion would be referred to the Joint Consultative Meeting and to return to Full Council at a later meeting.

RESOLVED:

THAT the motion be referred to Joint Consultative Meeting for consideration before returning to Full Council.

Council resolves that the Councillor Phil Jordan be appointed as Executive Leader with immediate effect, to serve in that office until Annual Council May 2025.

The motion was withdrawn

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, 14 September 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 S Redrup submitted a written question, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Housing, Public Health and Homelessness provided a written response (MQ 08/23).

Councillor S Redrup asked a supplementary question seeking confirmation of a physical place on the Island being available for support, The Leader advised that he would put the Director of Public Health in touch with the Councillor.

Councillor P Spink asked if under the new Leader the perceived rule regarding non alliance Councillors not being able to sit on the Cabinet would be waived or altered. The Leader advised that he was not aware of any rule and he looked forward to working together and capturing the experience of councillors across the Chamber.

Councillor R Quigley asked following the decision earlier if the Leader would like him as Chairman of the Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Children’s Services, Education and Skills to be involved in the recruitment process for the Director of Children’s Services, the Leader said he would like him to be involved.

Councillor R Quigley asked if the new Leader was committed to moving forward the place planning for schools on the Island. The Leader advised that he was, however, the September 2024 date may not be realistic.

Councillor A Garratt asked if the draft budget would be made available early to bring forward savings options in good time, the Leader advised that the process would start sooner rather than later, and requested all councillors to come forward with ideas as it was acknowledged the budget would be tough.

Councillor N Stuart asked if the place planning would be led by the community and be fully transparent, the Leader advised that it would, the start of the process involved consultation.