To invite Cabinet Members to provide a brief update on matters concerning their portfolio.
Minutes:
The Cabinet Member for Planning and Community Engagement reported that, following a motion agreed previously at Full Council a letter had been sent and a response received from the Rt Hon Stuart Andrew, which had been circulated to Cabinet members this afternoon. The next day the first briefing relating to the Island Plan would be delivered to all members of the council with a further briefing on 25 March which would include representatives from IWALC. Following this, a report would be prepared and the plan shared with the Corporate Scrutiny Committee before Cabinet would make recommendations to Full Council. Following this, there would be further consultation by the Planning Inspectorate. The council would ensure that residents were made aware of the further consultation.
The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Lifelong Skills reported that there had been an excellent response to the consultation on term times for the year 2023/24, which was due to end on 18 March. A report would be prepared for Cabinet on 12 May 2022.
The Cabinet Member for Highways PFI, Transport and Infrastructure reported that despite what had been written in the press and on social media, the council had not walked away from mediation in relation to the floating bridge, it was continuing via the mediator.
The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance, Corporate Resources and Transformational Change reported that a letter had been received from Secretary of State Gove regarding the situation in Ukraine. It was confirmed that the council was ahead of the game and reassurance was given that none of the council’s pension investments were with Russia.
A streaming service had been established at the crematorium, which tied in with the Commercial Strategy. When the strategy was considered by Cabinet within the next few months this would be examined more fully. Public praise had been received for the direct cremation service at £450, which it was believed would help many people with the current financial challenges.
The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health reported that it was World Social Workers’ Day on 15 March and on 17th a day of remembrance was to be held to remember the social care workers who died during the pandemic.
All care homes run by the local authority had received a CQC rating of ‘good’.
A meeting had been held with Integrated Care Systems (ICS) which was progressing well, with a strategy being developed and moving forward. Thanks were expressed to the council’s Scrutiny Officer for his work at a national level with scrutiny and how it would work within the new ICS.
The Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Digital Transformation, Housing Provision and Housing Needs reported that the council’s Beta website was up and running in some areas. There would be a ‘soft’ launch for councillors in the near future. The installation of new Teams software and equipment was being rolled out across County Hall meeting rooms. The council’s current telephony contract was coming to an end and replacement systems were currently being looked into. In other areas, praise was given to Regulatory Services staff for the way they had adapted to various other roles during the pandemic. The Coroner’s Service and staff based at Jubilee Stores would shortly be moving to different premises. The Safer Streets funding would bring enhanced CCTV to Ryde. There had been a case of avian flu on the island, which was being investigated. Bird owners were asked to be cautious and follow the council’s website for updates and information.
The Cabinet Member for Environment, Heritage and Waste reported that there had been a serious fly tipping incident in Porchfield. The culprit had been found and issued with a fixed penalty notice. Details of how to report fly tipping would be going out to the public via the press. The fly tipping Task and Finish group was still in hand but had been slower that hoped due to all the other work going on. It was hoped that within the next month or so batteries would be able to be collected on waste day to avoid having to take them to supermarkets for recycling, and following on from that, it was hoped that small electrical appliances would also be collected.
A Tree Strategy was to come forward in early summer, in line with the climate strategy. For every tree lost, two would be planted. A Climate and Environment Board was soon to be set up.
Compton Bay had been voted the second best location for stargazing in the UK. This fitted well with the dark skies policy.
Encouragement was given for completion of the Beaver consultation, which had been delivered to the public and which included consideration of flooding issues.
The Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism reported on a number of issues, which included a meeting with the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, exploring the value of culture and creativity. 36 practitioners had signed up to the Island Creative Network. It was suggested that on the island 30 per cent of the workforce was in the creative industry.
Other items of note included trying to bring back a Post Office to Newport and the re-launch of the Green Impact Programme to improve environmental sustainability for businesses.
The consultation on proposals for the future use of Newport guildhall would finish at the end of the week, and the Newport Harbour consultation was due to finish on 21 March.
Good progress was being made with the Branstone Farm development. Fifteen new homes were nearing completion and interest had been expressed in the industrial units.
Government SALIX funding would be use to mitigate the energy price rises faced in council buildings. Medina Leisure Centre was to utilise more solar power by May 2022.
Visit Isle of Wight had facilitated a recent visit by Ainsley Harriott and Grace Dent for a future TV programme around island food venues.