Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, County Hall, Newport, Isle of WIght

Contact: Marie Bartlett  Email: democratic.services@iow.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

33.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 467 KB

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2021.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2021 be confirmed.

 

34.

Declarations of Interest

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

Minutes:

No declarations were received at this stage.

 

35.

Public Question Time - Maximum 15 Minutes for Written Questions and 15 Minutes for Oral Questions pdf icon PDF 10 KB

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 12 November 2021.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Mr Christopher Wakeley of Newport submitted a written question regarding carbon emissions, and whether the Council was prepared to introduce an interim carbon reduction target for the Island by 2030. The Cabinet Member for Environment, Heritage and Waste Management provided a written response (PQ 44/21).

 

Mr Steven Parks of Shanklin asked an oral question relating to the plans for the redevelopment of Sandown and the Bay area, particularly with regards to transport, travel and access. The Cabinet Member for Environment, Heritage and Waste Management advised that previous proposals had not been rejected but were being reconsidered to ensure the future of the area was viable. A supplementary question was asked regarding how these plans were being moved forward. The Cabinet Member advised that viable plans would be put forward as soon as possible.

 

Mr Michael Smith of Newport asked an oral question relating to Island Roads and whether the Council could ensure they notify local residents of last-minute works. The Cabinet Member for Highways PFI, Transport and Infrastructure advised that a written response would be provided.

 

36.

Chairman's Official Announcements

To receive the Chairman’s official announcements.

Minutes:

The Chairman’s report had been circulated to all councillors prior to the meeting. Attention was drawn to the recent murder of Sir David Amess MP which highlighted the risks to all democratically-elected representatives. It was advised that information from the Monitoring Officer related to this matter would be circulated to all councillors in due course.

 

RESOLVED:

 

THAT the Chairman's official announcements be noted.

 

37.

Leaders Update Report (20 minutes) pdf icon PDF 255 KB

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

 

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

Minutes:

The Leader presented the report which highlighted key activities since the last meeting. Reference was made to a number of recent Remembrance Day events and attention was drawn to the upcoming Stand with Midwives Campaign.

 

A question was asked in relation to the steps being taken to ensure the Leader has capacity to circulate key documents such as the response from the Minister of State for Housing regarding issues around the number of homes that the government requires in the new Island Planning Strategy.

 

Concerns were raised in relation to the communications on the roll-out of the booster vaccination programme and it was confirmed that this matter was being raised through the Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Health and Social Care.

 

Comments were made in relation to various areas including support for carers, the approach to addressing the climate emergency, the Green Meadows care facility, and the development of the Island Plan. Discussion took place regarding the £5.8m funding secured for the regeneration of East Cowes and the Director of Regeneration and his team were thanked for developing the business case.

 

RESOLVED:

 

THAT the Leaders update be noted.

 

38.

Report of the Leader

38a

Isle of Wight Council Corporate Plan pdf icon PDF 442 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader presented the report which set out the vision and aspirations of the Council’s administration in its revised corporate plan. Cllr Andrew Garratt presented an amendment, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, which was duly seconded and accepted.

 

Following debate, a vote was taken and it was:

 

RESOLVED:

 

THAT the Corporate Plan as set out in Appendix 1 incorporating the revisions tabled in Appendix 2 be approved and adopted.

 

38b

Report on the use of Special Urgency Provisions pdf icon PDF 293 KB

Minutes:

The Monitoring Officer presented the report which informed the Council of the details of each executive decision taken where the making of the decision was agreed as urgent, in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Local Authorities Executive Arrangements (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

A vote was taken and it was:

 

RESOLVED:

 

THAT the statutory report on the use of Special Urgency Provisions be received and noted.

39.

Reports of the Monitoring Officer

39a

Report on Pension Board Appointments pdf icon PDF 309 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Monitoring Officer presented the report which sought approval of the revised terms of reference for the Local Pension Board, and for appointments to be formally made to it. The chairman sought clarification from the Monitoring Officer regarding whether councillors should declare an interest in this item (as members of the local government pension scheme). It was confirmed that this was not required given the nature of the report and as there was an obligation on councillors to establish the Board.

 

A vote was taken and it was:

 

RESOLVED:

 

i)               THAT the revised terms of reference of the Local Pension Board, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

 

ii)              THAT the appointments to the Local Pension Board, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report, be approved.

 

39b

Nominations and Appointment to Committees pdf icon PDF 295 KB

Minutes:

The Monitoring Officer presented the report which was required to give effect to the wishes of the Leader of the Alliance Group as to the nominations for appointments to the Planning Committee. Cllr Karen Lucioni was nominated by the Alliance Group to fill the vacant  vice-chairman seat on the Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Children’s Services, Education and Skills. No further nominations were received.

 

A vote was taken and it was:

 

RESOLVED:

 

i)               THAT Cllr Karen Lucioni be appointed to the Planning Committee.

 

ii)              THAT Cllrs Rodney Downer and Debbie Andre of the Alliance Group be appointed to the Planning Committee as substitute members.

 

iii)            THAT Cllr Karen Lucioni be appointed as vice-chairman to the Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Children’s Services, Education and Skills.

 

The meeting was adjourned for a five-minute comfort break, during which the Leader left the meeting unwell. The Deputy Leader took her place.

40.

Motions Submitted under Part 4A, Procedure Rule 9 of the Council's Constitution

40a

By Councillor Spink

Will the Council write to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Housing, requesting that the application of the ‘tilted balance’ (paragraph 11(ii) National Planning Policy Framework) to planning decisions made by the Isle of Wight Planning Authority be suspended for the following reasons:

 

i)               A change in the direction of national planning policy has recently been announced by the Prime Minister. The precise detail is yet to be disclosed, but is likely to include greater protection for greenfield with brownfield being the preferred choice for the majority of development.

 

Contrary to the proposed change of policy, the continued application of the tilted balance will result in the loss of precious greenfield sites on the Isle of Wight which will be harmful to one of its principal sources of income namely ‘eco-tourism’ and may threaten its designation as a UNESCO Biosphere.

 

ii)              The R.18 consultation period of The Isle of Wight’s Draft Planning Strategy has recently ended. It is difficult, if not impossible, to proceed to the next stage when the scope of the changes to national policy have yet to be determined.

 

iii)            The Isle of Wight has one of the highest number of planning approvals in the South East (76% approval re applications for 5 or more units 2017-2020). The failure to build the number of homes required per annum by the Governments Standard Methodology is mainly due to developers ‘land-banking’ over which the local planning authority has little control.

 

Minutes:

Cllr Peter Spink moved the following amended motion which was duly seconded:

 

Council notes:

1.    Because it does not have an up to date five-year land supply and has failed to meet Government housing “targets”, planning decisions are subject to paragraph 11.d) i. and ii. of the National Planning Policy Framework, often referred to as the ‘tilted balance’. The application of the tilted balance limits the circumstances in which the Council is able to refuse planning applications.

2.    The continued application of the tilted balance is likely to result in the loss of precious greenfield sites on the Isle of Wight. The protection of greenfield was raised as a major concern by Island residents in the consultation period of the previous draft planning strategy and is important to tourism and to our status as a biosphere.

3.    The Government has recently indicated a change in the direction of national planning policy. The precise detail has yet to be clarified but is likely to include greater protection of greenfield, with brownfield being the preferred choice for the majority of development.

 

I ask, therefore, if Council will Support the following motion:

 

The Leader of the Isle of Wight Council shall write to the Prime Minister and to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, requesting the suspension of the application of the ‘titled balance’ (Paragraph 11.d) i. and ii. National Planning Policy Framework) to planning decisions made by the Isle of Wight Planning Authority.

 

Cllr Paul Fuller moved the following amendment (including an addition by the Chairman) to the motion which was duly seconded:

 

Council notes:

1.    Because it does not have an up to date five year land supply and has failed to meet Government housing “targets”, planning decisions are subject to paragraph 11.d) i. and ii. of the National Planning Policy Framework, often referred to as the ‘tilted balance’. The application of the tilted balance limits the circumstances in which the Council is able to refuse planning applications.

2.    The continued application of the tilted balance is likely to result in the loss of precious greenfield sites on the Isle of Wight. The protection of greenfield was raised as a major concern by Island residents in the consultation period of the previous draft planning strategy and is important to tourism and to our status as a biosphere.

3.    The Government has recently indicated a change in the direction of national planning policy. The precise detail has yet to be clarified but is likely to include greater protection of greenfield, with brownfield being the preferred choice for the majority of development.

 

Council notes that in light of this, the Leader of the Isle of Wight Council has agreed to write to the Prime Minister and to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, requesting the suspension of the application of the ‘titled balance’ (Paragraph 11.d) i. and ii. National Planning Policy Framework) to planning decisions made by the Isle of Wight  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40a

40b

By Councillor Brading

Full Council notes that:

 

1.     The Cabinet decided on 15th July 2021 to reverse a previous 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.

 

Full Council therefore requests that:

 

7.    The relevant Cabinet Member 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 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

Minutes:

Due to time constraints this item was not considered and was deferred to the next meeting.

 

40c

By Councillor Pitcher

A request to Government to give Local Authorities the power to license firework displays

 

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.
    1. Ensures a national umbrella of regulation setting basic limits and ensuring the continued permittance of organized firework displays.
    2. Allows Local Authorities the freedom to vary all other constraints.

 

Minutes:

Due to time constraints this item was not considered and was deferred to the next meeting.

 

40d

By Councillor Quirk

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.

 

Minutes:

Due to time constraints this item was not considered and was deferred to the next meeting.

 

41.

Members Question Time (30 minutes) pdf icon PDF 22 KB

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, 11 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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Peter Spink submitted a written question in relation to motorcycle racing on the Island (particularly in the West Wight) and whether this was consistent with the Council’s Climate Policy, the Islands designation as a UNESCO Biosphere, and eco-tourism. The Leader provided a written response. (MQ 15/21)

 

Cllr Ian Ward asked an oral question in relation to the regeneration plans for Sandown and the Bay area. The Deputy Leader provided assurance that the council were open to working on this matter in a cohesive way with local councillors.

 

Cllr Richard Quigley asked an oral question in relation to the development of affordable housing and responsible landlords. The Deputy Leader confirmed that the areas highlighted would be considered. The Chairman asked that he provide a written reply, with a copy to all councillors.

 

Cllr Michael Lilley asked an oral question in relation to the progress with the use of the Additional Restrictions Grant. The Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism outlined the various business support activities underway for the use of these funds.

 

Cllr Joe Lever asked an oral question in relation to carbon targets and community engagement. The Cabinet Member for Environment, Heritage and Waste Management advised that a report on the matter was being developed for consideration in February 2022 and confirmed that a written response would be provided.

 

Cllr Clare Mosdell asked an oral question in relation to the inclusion of local ward members when visiting sites in the community. The Deputy Leader confirmed that ward members would be notified where possible.

 

Cllr Steve Hastings asked an oral question in relation to the progress with the Waste Plant. The Cabinet Member for Environment, Heritage and Waste Management advised that the project had been delayed and it was confirmed that a full written response would be provided.

 

Cllr Karl Love asked an oral question in relation to highways disruptions  caused by Wightfibre. The Cabinet Member for Highways PFI, Transport and Infrastructure confirmed that the highways network was managed by Island Roads, who work in conjunction with utility companies to plan works.

 

Cllr John Nicholson asked that the Council acknowledges the south coast of the Island as having ties to the Spanish armada. The Deputy Leader confirmed that the comments had been taken on board.

 

Cllr Joe Robertson asked an oral question in relation to the lack of email correspondence from the Leader regarding the Ryde Interchange project. The Deputy Leader advised that it was not appropriate to comment on the Leader’s workload.