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 reported that, following the recent announcement from government about measures to address Adult Social Care, he believed that, although a step in the right direction, it would not address the employment issues in the sector on the island. More information was still needed but it was believed that next year’s budget would still have to be cut. Other councils had similar concerns. The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Corporate Resources and Transformational Change was also dissatisfied with the announcement as it would have financial implications and additional burdens for the council. The government had failed to release a costing analysis and this was still awaited. The had been no indication of the island’s allocation but the majority of the funding would go to the NHS. A lot of the data would not be available until at least the fourth quarter. Although there would be some winners, it was believed that the island would be disproportionately disadvantaged.
The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Lifelong Skills reported that there had been a focused Ofsted visit to Children’s Services, looking particularly at Children in Need and children subject to Child Protection Plans. The team had set up a new social work model and had received a favourable report which would improve children’s circumstances.
A report would come to Cabinet in October regarding options for the future of Chillerton and Rookley Primary School. It would be recommended that a 6-week consultation should take place and all responses would be fully considered before a report in Spring 2022 setting out the outcomes with the proposed next steps and timeframe.
The Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism reported that work was continuing on the Culture and Regeneration Strategy, and that 20 Expressions of Interest for the Shanklin Spa site had been received.
The Cabinet Member for Highways PFI, Transport and Infrastructure reported that comments received regarding Ryde Interchange consultation were currently being considered and would be incorporated in the final draft scheme. There had already been some minor changes to the original scheme. It was agreed that although it was mainly a transport plan, there were some public realm issues within it
An update was given on the floating bridge. The matter would be moving to mediation before the end of November. A technical report was being commissioned to assess the extent of the problems and potential cost of rectification. No decision would be taken on the future of the floating bridge until the technical report had been received. May 2022 would be the fifth year of its operation and would be due an inspection by the MCA, the cost of which would have to be borne by the council.
The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Provision reported that Island Plan roadshows were taking place. 13 had been done and a further 27 were still to be held. A total of 365 residents had so far been engaged. Thanks were expressed to Planning officers for their help and support and to Town and Parish Councils and community libraries who had hosted the roadshows.
The Cabinet Member for Environment, Heritage and Waste Management reported that potential funding routes were being explored to enhance the environment and the biosphere. A ‘green levy’ was a potential solution but would not be a tourist tax as had been indicated in the media. The idea was in the early stages and currently only in principle.
The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Corporate Resources and Transformational Change reported that the council’s legal team had been accredited under the Lexcel scheme, by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority, having achieved 25/25 determinations of good practice. The legal team were commended by the Cabinet.