To invite Cabinet Members to provide a brief update on matters concerning their portfolio.
Minutes:
The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Housing Needs thanked all those who participated in the opening of Howard House, which was to provide 17 high quality units for homeless people. Cllr Mosdell had greatly contributed in her previous role. The Health Care Bill had its second reading in parliament this week, and would have a significant impact on Adult Social Care. The council would be inspected by the CQC in future which would give assurance to residents. There had been much discussion regarding vaccinations. At 1 July, 84 per cent of care home workers had received their first vaccination, and 79 per cent had received the second dose. It was suggested that people travelling to and from the island took a Lateral Flow test in order to track and trace if necessary.
Cllr Brodie confirmed the importance of the approval of local residents for the provision of homeless facilities, as was the case in his ward, unlike other areas of the island where opposition had been received. The Cabinet Member agreed and commended the people of Pan for their support.
The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Transformational Change and Resources advised that examination of the council’s finances and policies was continuing, and expressed thanks to the Assistant Chief Executive and audit staff. The Kickstart programme was being expanded to provide 45 new placements for young people on benefits to help them into the workplace. A capacity review had been initiated with the utility companies on the island and there had ben several recent issues. It would encompass all utilities with the support of the MP. A meeting was to be held with senior staff from Southern Water regarding capacity as this would help with future planning to feed into the Island Plan. Work methods for legal processes were to be revised and work was being undertaken to bring these into effect. A paper would be brought to Full Council in the future.
The Cabinet Member for Business and Regeneration thanked the Regeneration team for their input into Howard House. The Council had received some European funding of £2.8 million for the business hub at Cowes. A site visit had been carried out and was positive. A press release was due out shortly.
The Cabinet Member for Environment, Heritage and Waste Management reported that he would shortly be publicising a number of measures regarding the summer litter campaign, which had the support of the Welcome Back programme. There would be increased bin emptying and beach cleaning. Nine seasonal attendants had been employed who would report any issues. A fly tipping task and finish group had been set up with 10 other councillors, with an action plan to be produced. A report would be brought forward later in the year.
The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills praised school staff and students for their work over the last year and wished them all a happy summer holiday.
The Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport reported that he continued to work on the management of the PFI contract in a partnership way, with service delivery at the centre. A speed review was being conducted and many emails had been received. The review would continue until the end of the year, and no decision would be made on individual areas until it had been concluded. Work was continuing onlooking at the Floating Bridge operation. A bid had been submitted to extend the railways on the island. A response was awaited from the Department for Transport.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Digital Transformation reported that as part of his brief he had attended a Police and Crime Panel meeting and had spoken with the Police and Crime Commissioner, who undertook to focus more on the island and it’s policing issues. It was also reported that the newly combined Hampshire and IW Fire & Rescue Service had undertaken to upgrade some of its buildings. A conversation had taken place with the Chief Fire Officer who would ensure that necessary repairs were carried out and the island would get what it had been promised. There would now be a precept payable for the fire authority, which may increase next year.
The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing reported that there had been many planning applications and enforcement issues during the last few months, with march being the busiest month nationally. It was now hoped to unlock the backlog and residents’ patience was requested. It was hoped that if the Planning Act was to come into force in October, the council could do more in relation to bringing empty home back into use. The Cabinet Member had engaged with Housing officers and had been brought up to speed with his new portfolio and had learned a great deal.