To review items due to be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting on 9 September 2021. This will enable the Committee to make comments, or recommendations, that it believes should be taken into account by the Cabinet when making a decision. The items currently shown on the latest forward plan at the time of publication of this agenda are :-
a) Council support to Visit IOW in progressing D BID 2
b) Quarterly Performance Monitoring Report - Q1
c) Ryde Transport Interchange Consultation Feedback
d) Climate & Environment Strategy
e) Referral of Motion from Full Council - Newport City Status
f) Deployment of Discretionary Business Support Grant
g) Housing Civil Penalties
h) Review of options to identify investment proposals for regeneration of Culver Parade tourism opportunity area
Minutes:
a) Ryde Transport Interchange Consultation Feedback
It was advised that this item was now due for consideration by the Cabinet at its meeting in October 2021.
b) Housing Civil Penalties
It was advised that this item was now due for consideration by the Cabinet at its meeting in October 2021.
c) Review of options to identify investment proposals for regeneration of Culver Parade tourism opportunity area
It was advised that this item was now due for consideration by the Cabinet at its meeting in October 2021.
d) Quarterly Performance Monitoring Report - Q1
Consideration was given to the report which provided a summary of progress against Corporate Plan activities and measures for the period April to June 2021.
Questions were raised regarding the Council’s financial position, particularly in relation to the level of savings from 2020/21 set to be transferred to the Revenue Reserve for capital. The Deputy Leader reassured that the budget setting process was underway which would include an element of reallocation.
Discussion took place in relation to Adult Social Care, including the number of households in temporary accommodation and the steps being taken to address the lack of affordable rented housing. Clarity was provided regarding the ring-fenced funding for Brookline House and the revenue budget position related to care packages and the management of these.
Concerns were raised in relation to the factors behind the rate of number of looked after children when compared with the south east average, and it was suggested that future reporting contain a comparator with similar local authorities.
Discussion took place regarding agile working, and the possible correlation between the impact of home working and the reduced average number of days lost due to sickness per permanent employee.
The ongoing cost pressures in relation to Cowes Floating Bridge were noted, and concerns were raised in response to budget pressures due to the overall loss of £3.3m in income generation as the result of Covid. Discussion took place regarding the Covid Contingency Fund and the Income Protection Scheme.
RESOLVED:
THAT the report be noted.
e) Deployment of Discretionary Business Support Grant
The Committee considered the report which sought the Cabinet’s support for the remaining COVID-19 discretionary business grant funds, with details to be agreed by the Cabinet Member in consultation with the Isle of Wight Economic Development Board Executive. No questions were raised.
RESOLVED:
THAT the proposal be noted.
f) Council support to Visit IOW in progressing D BID 2
Cllrs Jonathan Bacon and Richard Quigley declared an interest and withdrew from the meeting for this item.
The Committee considered the report which sought the Cabinet’s support for the D BID proposition, to agree to run and manage the legal processes necessary to undertake the ballot of potential levy paying businesses, agree to cast its votes in favour of the D BID proposition, and to set aside the funds required to pay the levy if successful. No questions were raised, and proposal was supported.
RESOLVED:
THAT the proposal be supported.
g) Referral of Motion from Full Council - Newport City Status
Consideration was given to the report which sought the Cabinet’s consideration of the motion referred from Full Council on 21 July 2021 requesting that the council prepare an application for city status for Newport in partnership with Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council.
Cllr Geoff Brodie declared an interest as the Chairman of Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council, and as the Ward member for Pan and Barton. It was agreed that no formal comments would be made at this stage as the matter would be the subject of debate at the meeting of Full Council on 15 September 2021.
RESOLVED:
THAT no formal comment be made as the matter was to be the subject of debate at the meeting of Full Council on 15 September 2021.
h) Climate & Environment Strategy
The Committee considered the report which proposed that the Cabinet adopted the Climate and Environment Strategy and Action Plan to meet the net zero target dates of 2030 (council), 2040 (Island-wide), and the suggested target date of 2035 for schools. No questions were raised, and proposal was supported.
RESOLVED:
THAT the proposal be supported.