Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Minutes

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, 22 AUGUST 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mr J H Fleming (Chairman), Mr J R Adams, Mr A C Bartlett, Mrs T M Butchers, Mr J F Howe, Mr C H Lillywhite, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr A J Mundy, Mr K Pearson, Mr R C Richards, Mr D G Williams

Portfolio Holder :

Mrs M A Jarman, Mr H Rees

Also Present (Non voting) :

Mr J Bowker, Mr P D Joyce, Mr G P Price, Mrs S A Smart

25. MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 July 2002 be confirmed.

26. ISLE OF WIGHT MUSIC FESTIVAL

The Select Committee gave consideration to the report of the Managing Director of Wight Leisure which highlighted the key outcomes of the Music Festival. Members were reminded of the aims of the Festival which included the promotion of tourism, social inclusion and that the festival be self financing by its third year

It was noted that the festivals expenditure was £676,000, this had generated an income of £377,000 resulting in a net cost to date of £299,000. Wight Leisure considered that they would be able to reduce this cost significantly if approval was given to the early organisation of a 2003 event. Members considered the options for reducing the net cost.

The Select Committee asked for a more detailed report with a breakdown of figures and costs. It was explained that the figures were not finalised and the purpose of the report was for the Committee to make an overall judgement of the festival and whether the future of the festival was supported.

In discussion, it was confirmed that the ticket sales at the launch concert were not as high as it had been anticipated, this accounted for a large percentage of the net cost. Members were also advised that sponsorship would be more readily available if the terms were negotiated on a 1-3 year basis.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Select Committee support the concept of the Music Festival and its organisation in future years subject to

The Council not being at any financial risk in its organisation

The cost of the event in year 1 be recovered from future arrangements for the festival within a 5 year period.

27. SERVICE PLANS/PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

(a) Economic Development

The Select Committee received the report of the Head of Paid Service which detailed information on the 2002/03 Service Plan for Economic Development service together with information on past performance in 2001/02. It was explained that the Economic Development Service, until recently, had been seconded to the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership and this was the first time a Service Plan had been completed. Consequently there had been no performance indicators previously set for the service and there was no nationally agreed framework for benchmarking. Members clarified the role of the IWEP and Council’s Economic Service.

With regard to European funding, the target of £850,000 had been exceeded and was in excess of a million pounds. However the funds were not always spent due to lack of quality projects to invest in, this was an area the service was striving to improve.

In discussion, Members agreed that it was difficult to scrutinise the service plan with no background targets.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

(b) Planning Policy/Building Control

Members received the Service Plan for Planning and building Control, which also included Countryside, Archaeology, AONB and Administrative Support. Members noted that the Service areas of Development Control and Building Control did not normally report to the Select Committee but it had been considered appropriate to report the Service Plan as a whole as one part of the service may impact upon parts of the overall service.

The Select Committee noted that the turnover of planning applications in the last 12 months had been a great achievement. Members were informed that the Planning department was working toward a ‘one stop service’ so that the public could go to one source of information for all planning application matters. The requirement to fill vacant posts within various departments was considered to be a priority. It was noted that vacancies must be filled appropriately. In addition through IIP it was considered essential to sustain and consolidate training with existing staff.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development presented elements from the Community Development Service Plan for the areas that were in the Committees remit. Members noted that the directorate had developed sub objectives of the Councils main objectives. These were reflected in the work coming out of the cultural strategy. Members were reminded that a Best Value Review of Wight Leisure and of Beaches and Esplanades had also been completed this year.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

(d) Isle of Wight Tourism

Members received the Service Plans and Performance Indicators for Isle of Wight Tourism. Members noted that visitors to Tourist Information Centres had declined, the Strategic Director would investigate the reason for this.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

28. BUDGET MONITORING

The Strategic Director of Finance and Information presented the budget monitoring report for the period as at the end of July 2002. Apart from the Isle of Wight Music Festival, as discussed earlier in the meeting, there were no other significant variances or pressures to report. With regard to Revenue Expenditure, Members noted carry forward requests from the previous year, as approved by the Executive, were now included in the budget as appropriate.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

29. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING, TOURISM AND LEISURE SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE WORKPLAN

Members received the Committees draft workplan for the forthcoming year which reflected the priorities Members had identified at the Committee’s workshop held on 25 June 2002.

The Select Committee were informed that at a recent meeting the Liaison Committee had agreed that the area of planning policy should stay within the Committee’s remit.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

30. FORWARD PLAN

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

CHAIRMAN