MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING, TOURISM AND LEISURE SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON THURSDAY, 1 APRIL 2004 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM
Present :
Mr C R Hancock (Chairman), Mr J R Adams, Mr A C Bartlett, Mr J A Bowker, Mrs B Lawson, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mrs E Oulton, Mr R C Richards, Mr I R Stephens (deputising for Mr J F Howe), Mr D G Williams
Portfolio Holders :
Mrs T M Butchers, Mr J H Fleming, Mr H Rees
Also Present (non voting) :
Mr R Barry, Mrs M A Jarman, Mr D Knowles, Mr R G Mazillius, Mrs S A Smart, Mr R A Sutton
Apologies :
Mr J F Howe, Mr A Mundy, Mr K Pearson
75. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 25 March 2004 be confirmed.
76. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
The following interests were declared :
Mr H Rees declared a personal interest in Minute 78 as a Director of the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership
Mr C Hancock declared a personal interest as the Chairman of the North Medina Community Trust
Mrs E Oulton declared a personal and prejudicial interest as a Bed and Breakfast Land Lady
77.
CONSULTATION IN THE PREPARATION OF THE SANDOWN BAY
REGENERATION STRATEGY
The Chairman welcomed the following stakeholders to the meeting who had been invited to comment on the Consultation process :
· Mr David Groocock, Chairman of the Island Tourist Industry Association
· Mr Leslie Smith, Yaverland Residents Association
· Mr Kevin Smith, Chief Executive of the Chamber of Commerce
· Mr Ron Teasdale and Mr Chris Williams, Sandown Town Council and Sandown Partnership
The Head of Community Development introduced the report which provided the Select Committee with detail regarding the consultation process which had been undertaken by Arup Consultants. Members were advised that two stakeholder and public meetings had been held, on the 18 August 2003 and 20 October 2003. An interview-led street survey of visitors was conducted in Sandown and Shanklin during August 2003, a total of 300 visitors were surveyed. A number of one-to-one interviews were also conducted with many key stakeholders. A final presentation of the consulting teams findings were presented to the Councils Executive, The Sandown Bay Steering Group and a joint meeting of stakeholders and general public on the 14 January 2004.
The Chairman invited the Stakeholders to comment on the consultation process. Mr Teasdale considered that the consultation process had been relatively thorough, however was disappointed that the Town Councils and Partnerships had not been consulted as a group. The Head of Community Development commented that it was assumed that individuals representing these bodies would discuss the proposals at their own meetings. Mr Milham commented that the meetings were well advertised and that the consultation process was thorough. Both Mr Groocock, representing ITIA and Mr Smith from the Chamber of Commerce believed the consultation had been good and Mr Smith congratulated the Council on this process.
Stakeholders also referred to the final consultants report. Mr Teasdale raised some concern that the report recommended some projects be funded by the Market Towns Initiative (MTI) and had not taken into account that some funds had already been committed to other schemes. Mr Groocock believed that the report did not fully address car parking and transport problems. This concern was echoed by other stakeholders. It was commented that a multi storey may be required to address the problem which would also make available land currently being used for parking.
The Chairman thanked the Stakeholders for their valuable contribution to the meeting.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Select Committee note the successful consultation exercise which had demonstrated best value for money and would monitor the progress of the outcomes arising in six months time.
78.
ISLE OF WIGHT ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES
The Select Committee received the report of the Head of Corporate Policy and Communications which provided members with information on the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership (IWEP) activities for the period of January 2004 to March 2004. The Chairman Welcomed Liz Wood, Regeneration Director for the IWEP.
As requested by the Select Committee the report detailed progress against Public Service Agreement Targets which the IWEP was delivering on behalf of the Council. It was noted that the delivery of these PSA targets had been finalised in September 2003 and consequently activity had not taken place over a complete year.
The Regeneration Director provided the Select Committee with a general update on the Partnerships position to date. It was advised that SEEDA was reducing its revenue spend for this forthcoming year however this would be recouped in the following year spend. The delivery date of the MTI had been moved from March 2005 to March 2006. It was noted that the SRBV five year programme had been completed at the end of March 2004. The Select Committee were advised that the Partnership were currently reviewing all Single Regeneration Budgets. It was likely that if programmes showed no sign of sustainability they would be phased out.
At the Select Committee’s request the report contained a detailed account of the Public Service Agreement target 11. The Target aimed to get 120 people who were in receipt of benefit back into employment by the end of March 2006. The Regeneration Director outlined a number of steps which had been taken to achieve this target, including :
· Establishing an agreement with Jobcentre Plus to act as a source of suitable 50+ candidates for special training initiatives and as tracking mechanism for 50+ candidates who we have assisted via other initiative.
· Training courses in partnership with B&Q
· Work with the Chamber of Commerce and others to influence Employers’ attitudes to the recruitment of candidates over 50+.
· The Establishment of a steering group
The Partnership considered that it had made a strong beginning to delivering PSA target 11 and outlined its plan of activities for the forthcoming year of 2004/05. Members were assured that all levels of employment would be investigated for the employment of the over 50’s.
During questioning Members asked for an update on Enterprise House. The Head of Property Services advised the Committee that every effort had been made to find a tenant for this property however this had been unsuccessful. Therefore proposals would be made to the Executive meeting on the 2 June 2004 recommending that Enterprise House be used for Council offices.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Select Committee note the IWEP quarterly report and support the review of the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) Programmes and considered that if SRB was not delivering the desired objectives in terms of real jobs, improved service and essential to economic well being of the Island, that they should be phased out.
79.
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PLAN UPDATE
The Head of Community Development presented his report on the Tourism Development Plan which provided the Select Committee with an update on its progress. It was advised that the progress on the production of the plan had been hindered since it was last considered by the Committee at its meeting on 8 January 2004. The Head of Community development outlined the reasons for the delay :
· Work relating to the separation of the membership scheme of the ITIA from the provision of services by Isle of Wight Tourism
· Difficulties with the implementation of the Electronic Destination Management System
· The Publication by Tourism South East of its Tourism Strategy for the South East “Tourism Excellence” to ensure that this and the Islands strategy complement each other.
The Select Committee referred to the Tourism Strategy for the South East “Tourism Excellence” which had been published in February 2004. Since its publication consideration had been given to its impact on the Island. The Head of Community Development advised the meeting that the Island was one of the top rated destinations in the South East.
During questioning the Select Committee were assured that the Islands visitor profile was monitored almost on a weekly basis. Members emphasised the importance of the collection of visitor information.
It was noted that a great deal of the work currently being undertaken in respect of tourism development was intended to inform the incoming Head of Tourism Services who be commencing his post shortly.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Select Committee note the progress on the Tourism Development Plan and review its progress in four months time.
80.
WIGHT LEISURE PROJECT BOARD UPDATE
The Head of Community Development presented an update on the work of the Wight Leisure Project Board. Members were advised that the Project Board had met once on the 25 February 2004 and a further meeting had been arranged for the 25 March however this had been rescheduled for the 7 April 2004. Following this meeting the project board hoped to be able to scope a programme of work. The Head of Community Development confirmed that he had advised the Board that the Select Committee would welcome the opportunity to undertake any work the Board wished to assign.
The Head of Legal and Democratic Services reported that the Action Plan was substantially on target, there were three areas of delay which related to access to information. Members were assured that this work was in hand.
During discussion, it was raised that there were proposals that the Strategic Director of Social Services and Housing would incorporate Leisure Services into his Directorate. The Select Committee were referred to the forthcoming meeting of the Executive on the 2 April 2004 which would be considering Council restructuring. The Select Committee raised concern that they were unaware of the proposed changes.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Select Committee recommend that Leisure Services should be linked with tourism in any future restructuring
81.
ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCILS FORWARD PLAN APRIL 2004 TO JULY 2004
RESOLVED :
THAT the Isle of
Wight Councils Forward Plan be noted.
82. MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME
A Question was put to the Chairman as follows :
Mrs B Lawson asked a question regarding the number of Council
Officers that were externally funded (MQ15/04).
A copy of the question and reply given are contained in the
Members' Question Register.
CHAIRMAN