To invite Cabinet Members to provide a brief update on matters concerning their portfolio.
Minutes:
The Leader thanked all council staff for their work over the last year, including those who had changed roles during the COVID lockdowns, those in the voluntary sector and to Islanders for complying with the COVID guidance and wished everyone good health and prosperity for 2022.
The Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism gave an update on matters within her portfolio, including the pop-up shops which had opened in Newport. There had been some open days in East Cowes to discuss the levelling up projects. 150 people had attended and positive feedback had been received. A conference had been held regarding the regeneration of Newport, which included various specialists in regeneration who had given some good ideas for future projects. The bid for City Status for Newport had been signed and submitted, and plans were underway for next year’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The Cabinet Member for Environment, Heritage and Waste Management was please to see that all Cabinet reports would now consider the impact on climate and the biosphere, and that this was to be extended to include poverty in future reports. The Planning Committee had granted permission for the first stage of the PTEC tidal energy scheme which was an important step towards the generation of green energy. A meeting had been held with the Chief Executive of Dinosauria regarding Dinosaur Isle, aiming to maintain their interest. The fly tipping task and finish group were to hold a meeting on 10 January 2022, looking at a wide range of issues.
The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Corporate Resources and Transformational Change reported that the council’s budget consultation was underway and it was hoped that residents and Town and Parish Councils would engage with it. A virtual roadshow was planned to be held in the new year and some doorstepping was to take place in the West Wight to engage with residents and encourage them to respond to the consultation.
The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Lifelong Skills reported that there had been success with grant funding schemes from the DWP, for example, Connect 4 Communities. Town and Parish Council could apply in addition to education and community groups and charities to support the vulnerable this winter. Pan Together had been a previous beneficiary, which had enabled 8105 children’s meals to be provided since March 2020. There had been various Holiday Activity and Food schemes including the one at Barton. The Cabinet Member would be visiting some of the schemes the following week. The impact on young persons and future generations was to be included in future cabinet reports. Staff in Adult Social Care and Children’s Social Care teams along with headteachers and school staff were acknowledged for being flexible and adapting to new ways of working.
The Cabinet Member for Planning and Community Engagement reported that a meeting had been held with the council’s QC regarding matters raised in the Island Planning Strategy. Should the plan be rejected it could be costly for the Island. The QC’s report was expected in the new year and would be circulated as soon as it was available.