Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2024.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2024 be approved.

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

Councillor Paul Fuller - JP (Justice of the Peace), Non Pecuniary, declared an interest in minute number 87 as he was a member of the Local Pension Board.

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 March 2024.

Written public questions were submitted by Ms H Wagstaff (PQ-06-24) and Mr S Richards (PQ-07-24).

Cllr A Whittaker asked for information regarding the painting of Shanklin lift and when the work would be started, The Leader advised that he would find out the date and provide a written response.

Cllr A Whittaker asked a supplementary question regarding the work to the clock tower, Fisherman’s Cottage and toilets in the area, the Cabinet member advised the sale contract had fallen through for the spa site due to economic reasons, the area was being looked at and a proposal would be put forward.

To receive the Chairman’s official announcements.

The Chairman advised that she had presented recognition to the Mermaid Atlantic Team prior to the start of the meeting, they were great ambassadors to the Island and an inspiration to the younger generation.

She had also attended a number of other engagements which included:

• Band of Royal Marines Concert
• Citizenship ceremonies

RNLI bicentenary celebrations

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 his report and highlighted the main points.

The Leader was asked to note that stakeholders for the soon to be announced education events should include employers and the business sector.  The Leader advised he would make sure it was done.

A question was asked regarding the Household Support Fund which had only been awarded for six months, what did the Council propose to do to fund the next six months, the Leader advised the conditions of the scheme would need to be investigated, however he hoped that the Community fund would be accessed.

The Rural England Prosperity fund and how to direct businesses to claim for the fund was raised, the Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration, Culture and Leisure advised that fund details would be made available soon, a press release would be issued.

The Leader was asked if a briefing session could be arranged to advise on what would happen if there was a measles outbreak, it would be useful to understand learnings from covid. The Leader advised that he would ask for a session to be arranged by the Public Health team.

The Senior Governance Advisor advised that this was an annual report, the Independent Remuneration Panel had been consulted and would be consulted following the agreement by unions on any future uplift.

RESOLVED

The Chairman informed Council that the item was withdrawn.

Questions were raised regarding the appointments to the board and council was advised that the guidance could be found online.

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Coastal Protection and Flooding advised that this had taken seven years to get to this point, it was an essential tool when considering planning applications. Since 2021 further consultation had taken place and the proposed Strategy made commitments to discounts for affordable rented accommodation on the Island.

He advised that the Strategy reduced the current number of houses required to be built each year to 453, the deadline for the strategy was 2025.

A proposal to amend the recommendations was put:

That the Draft Island Planning Strategy (DIPS) is returned to cabinet with a request that cabinet considers the matters set out below and returns the DIPS not later than the end of April to Full Council with the said matters included in a revised DIPS or alternatively cabinet shall inform Full Council of the reasons why the said matters are in its opinion unsuitable to be included in a revised version of the DIPS.

The said matters referred to above are:

i). Paragraph 6.15 is amended as in italic below,

The location of a potential development site within a settlement boundary is the first test in establishing the suitability of a site, in principle, for development. Once this principle is established more detailed issues covered by other policies in the Island Planning Strategy such as design, density and potential impact on the surrounding area and the environment are considered. If, on the planning balance, the development proposal is unacceptable in relation to these detailed issues it will be refused. Therefore, in this respect, both a sites allocation in this Plan together with due consideration by the Planning Committee of other relevant policies (within this Plan and the NPPF) shall be required in order for planning permission to be given i.e. a sites allocation in this plan shall not alone constitute a material consideration in the decision of whether to give planning permission.

ii). Windfall sites should only be ‘allowed’ in wider rural area if they qualify with policy re rural exception, infill, first home exception, self and custom build, or new homes sites.

iii). Para 7.78 DIPS should be deleted as inconsistent with definition of rural exception sites.

iv). Allocated sites that are not policy compliant, or are contrary to a neighbourhood plan, or inconsistent with NPPF e.g. ‘best and most versatile’ agricultural land, should be removed from the DIPS.

v). ‘local need’ should not be ID by use of the IoW Housing Needs Assessment as to do so would be inconsistent with policy and NPPF.

After a short adjournment to allow for hard copies of the proposed changes be made and circulated, the Cabinet Member for Planning, Coastal Protection and Flooding accepted the alternative recommendation wording.

There was some concern regarding the deadline for the proposed Strategy and that referring the matter back to Cabinet would delay further. Council were advised that a short delay could be accommodated.

Following further debate in accordance with the Council’s Constitution (Part 4B – Procedure Rules Governing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85a

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Corporate Functions advised that following a motion to Full Council in September 2023 a review of the Car Parking Policy had been undertaken.

The recommendations were duly seconded and a vote was taken the result of which was:

RESOLVED

That Full Council approve the proposed change to the staff and member car parking policy, to agree to amend the car parking policy to allow for free parking at County Hall and Westridge for staff and members who have Blue Badges.

The Chairman of the Pension Fund Committee advised that this was a single word change in the Terms of Reference for the Local Pension Board.

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

RESOLVED

THAT council approve revision to the Local Pension Board Terms of Reference in the Council Constitution, to read 'one of the employer representatives may be an elected member of the council', as recommended by the Pension Fund Committee.

The Chairman of the Future Governance Working Group advised Council that risks had been identified and the Working Group understood these, work continued on a new version of the Constitution, engagement  plans were included within the report. the group were awaiting financial information as agreed in the budget, the delivery would need to be cost neutral. Officers had advised that delivery of the new Governance system could be achieved by May 2024.

He proposed that an extraordinary meeting of Full Council be called on Wednesday, 1 May 2024 to consider a full report and the recommendation set out in the report, which was duly seconded.

Clarification was sought regarding the comments made by Councillors at the meeting and if they would be considered by the group, they were advised that comments would be fed into the group, via councillors on the working group or via the email address monitored by staff.

Concern was raised regarding the commencement date of May 2024, why work to such difficult timelines, it felt like it was being rushed and councillors would be happy to work to May 2025 to ensure it was properly in place. Questions were asked regarding how much tolerance would be given to mistakes made.

Councillors asked if consideration of a Health Scrutiny meeting could be included, as it was seen as important that health partners were held to account and maintain a connection with the public.

RESOLVED

   i.         THAT an Extraordinary meeting of Full Council be arranged for Wednesday, 1 May 2024.

  ii.         THAT the progress made to date, comment and make contribution to the considerations to be taken account of in the development of the proposals for a change in governance arrangements was noted.

That a Full Public Consultation takes place with all citizens of our Island, prior to making a final, Full Council decision, on the recommendations proposed for moving to a Committee Governance System of Decision-making 

This consultation must include the operational detail, of the proposed recommendations, suggestions and implications.  Further, that Full Council will have the opportunity to review, consider and adapt accordingly to the public consultation findings, prior to making any final decision.

This proposed Committee Governance Change is one of the most important political decisions to be tabled in many years.  It has far reaching implications for our Island people, the way in which our council operates and makes important decisions. We must ensure that it is fit for purpose and meets the needs of a dynamic forward thinking council in a world where time pressures prevail.

It is therefore essential and best practice to engage with as many Island people as possible in order to consider all perspectives.  This ensures equality of opportunity to participate and contributes to the decision making process, ensuring inclusion and diversity of public opinion. Data gathered from the consultation must be given careful consideration and be included enabling adjustments to the recommendations and driving the policy outcomes.

Politicians serve the people and the people need to be fully informed, in agreement and assured that good governance practice is being applied and that it is, fit for purpose, cost effective and not self serving.   

This consultation is not something that should be rushed. If its worth doing, then lets do it right and be totally assured it will deliver the best outcomes for our Island people.

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

That a Full Public Consultation takes place with all citizens of our Island, prior to making a final, Full Council decision, on the recommendations proposed for moving to a Committee Governance System of Decision-making 

This consultation must include the operational detail, of the proposed recommendations, suggestions and implications.  Further, that Full Council will have the opportunity to review, consider and adapt accordingly to the public consultation findings, prior to making any final decision.

This proposed Committee Governance Change is one of the most important political decisions to be tabled in many years.  It has far reaching implications for our Island people, the way in which our council operates and makes important decisions. We must ensure that it is fit for purpose and meets the needs of a dynamic forward thinking council in a world where time pressures prevail.

It is therefore essential and best practice to engage with as many Island people as possible in order to consider all perspectives.  This ensures equality of opportunity to participate and contributes to the decision making process, ensuring inclusion and diversity of public opinion. Data gathered from the consultation must be given careful consideration and be included enabling adjustments to the recommendations and driving the policy outcomes.

Politicians serve the people and the people need to be fully informed, in agreement and assured that good governance practice is being applied and that it is, fit for purpose, cost effective and not self serving.   

This consultation is not something that should be rushed. If its worth doing, then lets do it right and be totally assured it will deliver the best outcomes for our Island people.

Following further debate in accordance with the Council’s Constitution (Part 4B – Procedure Rules Governing how Full Council, Cabinet, Committees, Sub Committees and Boards Operate section Voting) a named vote was requested by four councillors, the result of which was:

For (12)

Cllrs D Andre, J Bacon, C Critchison, I Dore, P Fuller, J Jones-Evans, P Jordan, J Lever, K Love, K Lucioni, L Peacey Wilcox, I Stephens

Against (20)

Cllrs M Beston, G Brodie, E Blake, V Churchman, W Drew A Garratt, S Hendry, C Jarman, M Lilley, J Medland, C Mosdell, J Nicholson, M Oliver, T Outlaw, M Price, P Spink, N Stuart, C Quirk, J Robertson, I Ward

Abstain (2)

Cllrs R Downer, S Redrup

The motion fell.

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 March 2024. 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.

Due to time constraints this item was not considered.