MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING, TOURISM AND LEISURE SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2001 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mr D T Yates (Chairman), Mr J R Adams, Mr A C Bartlett, Mrs T M Butchers, Mr J H Fleming, Mr C H Lillywhite, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr A J Mellor, Mr R C Richards, Mr D G Williams

Spokespersons :

Mrs B Lawson

Also Present (Non Voting) :

Mr E Fox, Miss H L Humby, Mrs M Miller, Mr A J Mundy, Mr I R Stephens

Apologies :

Mrs D Gardiner

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2001 be confirmed.

6. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Mr R C Richards declared a non pecuniary interest in Minute No 8(c).

7. THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

Members received the report of the Managing Director of Wight Leisure setting out proposals with regard to a new concept for an Island wide music festival. The concept provided for a wide range of music tastes, such as modern, pop, jazz, samba, folk, blues and world music and was planned to take place at various venues across the Island, over a two week period. It was intended to stage the festival during 3 - 16 June 2002, with the potential for the event to continue on an annual basis. The launch date had been specifically selected to coincide with the Queen's Jubilee Celebrations and would be widely advertised to maximise the opportunity of attracting visitors looking to take a 'short break'.

It was reported that positive support, in principle, had been received following initial discussions with colleagues from other Council Directorates, outside organisations and the emergency services. Members noted the planned timetable for organisation of such an event and the proposed structure. A detailed business plan would be produced and thoroughly reviewed. It was anticipated that the festival launch day could be self financing in year one. Funding of the event would be by way of Bids submitted to SRB, ESF, Southern Arts and the Lottery, in addition to financial support from other income sources. A further report was due to be presented to the Executive on 13 November 2001 when full details of the financial implications should be available.

In discussion of the outline proposals, Members expressed their support for the concept but expressed caution so to avoid any potential loss falling to the Council, particularly in the current stringent climate. Members were informed that music events planned for venues throughout the Island, during the two period, could be promoted within the events programme. The aim was not to take over or compete with existing, planned events but to incorporate and promote all music events into an Island wide festival.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Executive be recommended to support the concept of a two week Jubilee music festival on the understanding that effective financial checks and balances were put in place.

8. REPORTS OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES

The Chairman advised that no formal recommendations would be made until discussion had ensued on the following five reports:

(a) Review of Tree Preservation Orders

Arising from discussions, over the past two years, a thorough review of the present Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) had been commenced by the Countryside Section. The report of the Director provided the background to the existing system and outlined the process whereby the review would be undertaken, the problems with the existing system and the means in which these could be identified and addressed. Funding had been made available for extra staff time to undertake the review which should take approximately two years to complete. A new software package had been purchased to complement the existing system used by Development Control which should provide for a more cost effective system. Work had commenced on a rolling basis, commencing in Ventnor and Wroxall.

In addition, the lack of a common strategy for managing the trees in the ownership or control of the Council, many of which were in public places, was reported. An Officer Group, including officers from the Countryside, Highways, Parks and others had been formed to discuss the issue and would present a report to a future meeting of the Select Committee.

(b) Planning Obligations and Infrastructure Provision

Planning obligations and legal agreements were the means by which local authorities could ensure that the appropriate levels of infrastructure to serve any new developments were achieved. A basis for seeking contributions from any new development, either in the form of built facilities or financial contributions needed to be determined. The report of the Strategic Director of Corporate and Environment Services set out draft proposals for the provision of infrastructure related to new development on the Isle of Wight. The document had been produced in accordance with the Isle of Wight Unitary Development Plan, the Secretary of States' policy set out in Circular 1/97 and the Government's Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPG's). Members noted the detailed costings of charges by comparative local authorities in Hampshire which related only to open space. Officers were currently exploring opportunities to seek both direct and indirect contributions to future infrastructure provision from all new developments. Meanwhile the draft proposals would be circulated for consultation and comment.

In addition, it was reported that work had also commenced on a draft protocol based on best practice, identifying the roles and responsibilities of planning, finance and legal officers, and members in relation to planning and highway agreements. The draft, which should be available by December, would meet a recommendation in the District Auditor's report to the Council, in March 2001, on Probity in Planning.

(c) Rural Land-Use Objectives

The report of the Director highlighted a number of major developments, that had an impact on rural land-use, which had arisen since the publication of the Unitary Development Plan. At national level, the Rural White Paper 'Our Countryside: The Future' had been published in November 2000; at a local level, in May 1999, the results of the 'Island Voices' workshops emphasised the great importance of the Island's environment; in July 2000, as part of a consultation exercise to establish the views of land-owners, developers and the public on the future use of buildings in the countryside, the 'Re-Use of Buildings in the Countryside' which had indicated support for a type of Farm Plan to assist farmers in planing ahead for the future.

The Select Committee noted the suggestion for a member Task Group to be established. The Task Group could consider the wider issues in order to protect the countryside from unsuitable development and to clarify the difference between dispersed housing development and other forms of more sustainable development in policy terms. The potential benefits of partnerships with a number of established groups, such as the Rural Issues Group and the Area of Outstanding Naturel Beauty Joint Action Committee, who were already working to deliver economic, social and environmental benefits on the Island, should also be investigated.

(d) Urban Capacity Study - Density and Design

The Director introduced his report which contained the methodology used by the Council to undertake an urban capacity study to provide a realistic estimate of the level of additional development that could potentially be accommodated within urban areas on the Island. The report indicated that Local Authorities also had to be mindful to deliver high quality urban design in a sustainable environment. The study would be undertaken in line with guidance provided by Government and outlined in the DETR document 'Tapping the Potential' which had been published in December 2000. Members noted that the study would be monitored on a regular basis and would, inevitably, have implications in a number of areas, including the Council's development resources, bids to other agencies, review of land allocations, land assembly requirements, decontamination and parking and density standards. The results of the study would be published once consultation had been undertaken on the proposed methodology.

(e) Affordable Housing - Reviewing the Councils Approach

Members considered the report of the Director which discussed the changing public and private housing sectors on the Island since the formulation of the current Affordable Housing policy through the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and put forward suggestions to refine the policy through consultation with social housing providers and housing developers in order to maximise the provision of affordable housing on the Island. Particular mention was made of issues and ideas highlighted through the Housing Task Group which was involved in the formulation of the Community Plan.

Local Authorities could consider the requirements for affordable housing policies in their areas, and government guidelines made it clear that detailed policies should form part of the UDP. The Council was committed to a review of the UDP in the light of the new PPG3 and it was proposed that this should also include a review of the Council's approach. The Council also had the benefit of applying the Affordable Housing policy through the development control process and the available detailed information from the new Housing Needs Survey, undertaken earlier in the year.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT a Planning Policy Task Group be established to consider in detail the five areas raised and to report back to a future meeting of the Select Committee;

(ii) THAT the Planning Policy Task Group comprise of Cllrs Butchers, Fleming, Lillywhite, Richards and Yates, although any other interested Member of the Council would be welcome to attend the meetings.

CHAIRMAN