To invite Cabinet Members to provide a brief update on matters concerning their portfolio.
Minutes:
The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and COVID19 Recovery reported that the first public meeting of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board had taken place and had considered a detailed report which showed that much work was being done to keep Island residents safe and well. There was capacity in the medical services to deal with any COVID spike. The Board would be meeting on a monthly basis.
The current position regarding the council’s budget was that work was being done to reduce the £10 million deficit. It had now reduced to £8 million and it was hoped to be able to balance the budget by the end of the financial year. Preparation were underway to begin next year’s budget. The level of government support would not be known until later in the year and it was unlikely that any serious announcements would be made until around Christmas time.
The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills reported that attendance in schools across the island was above the national average, both in the primary and secondary sectors. In early years provision, almost all settings were up and running again. The island was also above the national average in the time taken to complete Education and Health Care Plans, with 83% of plans completed within the target time.
The Cabinet Member also gave an overview of the Kickstart Scheme, with government funding to create 6-month job placements for 16-24 year olds who had been unemployed for more than 6 months. Where companies were not big enough to be able to offer the number of placements required, they could join together through an intermediary to be able to participate. The Chamber of Commerce had offered to do this. The Council would control the scheme for the island and had asked Town and Parish councils to support the council. The Director of Regeneration would be the lead officer for the project.
The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Business Development reported that there was to be a pop-up business school online between 12– 23 October, which would offer business start-up advice. 140 people had already registered to take part. An Island gift card would be launched in the run-up to Christmas. More details would follow soon. Two new Island business advisors were to start working with the Chamber of Commerce to support businesses in recovering from the impacts of the COVID pandemic. The ‘Let’s Buy Local’ scheme would continue until Christmas, and there was the possibility of an indoor Christmas market for local producers.
The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing reported that the government white paper on housing numbers had been produced and the island’s MP had raised the subject in the House of Commons earlier in the day. The council had put in its objections to the proposed numbers expected to be delivered. Consultation was under way on the response to the wider aspect of the white paper and where development would be able to take place.
The Cabinet Member for Environment, Heritage and Waste Management reported on the Green Homes Grant. £500k had been received and would help with fuel poverty and create jobs, whilst aligning with the council’s climate emergency strategy as 32% of carbon use each year is in domestic properties. It allowed for also underfloor heating, roof insultation, solar/thermal solutions, double glazing and more. Eligibility and how to apply would go out in a press release within the next week. Confirmation was given that the council would work with companies on the island and a list produced of those companies who could carry out the work.
The Chairman reminded everyone that the island is facing a large problem of unemployment and the scheme would help to create jobs. It would be important for Town and Parish Councils to work with the council.