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, 24 JUNE 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, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr K Pearson, Mr R C Richards, Mr D G Williams
Apologies :
Mr C H Lillywhite
Portfolio Holders :
Mrs M A Jarman, Mr B Lawson
Also Present (Non-Voting) :
Mr B C Buckle, Mr A C Coburn, Mr A J Mundy, Mr I R Stephens
14. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 2002 be confirmed.
15. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
A question was put to the Chairman as follows :
Louis Lawrence, Chairman of IW Older Voices in relation to the sale of Bowling Rinks (PQ74/01)
A copy of the question and reply given is contained in the Public Question Register.
16. PRESENTATION BY ISLE OF WIGHT ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
The Chairman introduced and welcomed Liz Wood, the Area Regeneration Director for the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership (IWEP). Members received a presentation which focussed on the Partnership delivery of the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB). The SRB was considered by the Partnership to be a catalyst for area regeneration and made up 13% of the total programme value. The intention of grant funding was to stimulate the economy and tackle social exclusion.
The Select Committee were advised of the application process involved when applying for a SRB grant. Various case studies, which had received some success through SRB’s were identified. However Members believed that the processes involved in submitting an application should be made simpler.
It was noted that the Select Committee would receive quarterly reports regarding the milestones of projects.
RESOLVED :
THAT the presentation be noted.
17.
ATTENDANCE A THE XXII CONFERENCE OF THE CPMR ISLAND COMMISSION AND THE CPMR UK MEMBERS MEETING
Members received the report of the Head of Paid Service regarding Member attendance at the Annual Conference of the Islands Commission held on 2/3 May 2002 and the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) on the 9/10 May 2002.
The Select Committee were advised that the Islands Commission represented 25 Islands within the European Union and that the Isle of Wight was one of its leading members.
The Conferences had been attended by the Leader of the Council, the Portfolio Holder and the Principal European Officer. The content of both conferences were detailed.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Select Committee support the Council’s active participation in the Islands Commission and the CPMR.
18. TOURISM SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT
The Select Committee considered the report of the Director of the Island 2000 Trust. The Trust proposed the establishment of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Isle of Wight Tourism and for the development of sustainable tourism. Members were reminded that the Council’s Best Value Review of Tourism Services had also recommended the arrangement of a SLA between the two organisations.
The Director highlighted the Trust’s previous successes in developing sustainable tourism projects in partnership with a range of businesses, funding organisations and Council departments.
The Select Committee welcomed the introduction of a SLA and the opportunity to promote sustainable tourism. Members highlighted that the Management structure for tourism was in the process of review, but it was considered that the SLA would easily fit into any new tourism arrangements arising from this.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Executive be recommended that the necessary funding be identified within the service plans of the Council to establish a Service Level Agreement between Isle of Wight Tourism and the Island 2000 Trust for the development of sustainable tourism.
19. REPORTS OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES
(a) Draft Guidance for the Preparation of a Masterplan for Pan
Members were reminded that in October 2001, the Executive had approved the expenditure of £50,000 on consultants to help prepare a Masterplan for the development of the Pan housing site.
The Select Committee raised a wide range of issues connected with the development. In particular, at a later date, clarification would be sought on :
• Access to the site
• Findings of a traffic study
• Opportunities for self build housing
It was agreed that the draft guidance would be subject to initial public consultation prior to it being used to brief consultants.
RESOLVED :
THAT the draft Guidance for the Preparation of a masterplan for Pan give adequate guidance for the production of a masterplan by consultants.
(b) Urban Capacity and the Managed Release of Housing Sites
Members were advised that as part of the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) review an Urban Capacity Study (UCS) had been undertaken to assess potential of the settlements on the Island to accommodate new development.
The Urban Capacity Study had highlighted that there was a need for both brownfield and greenfield housing developments to meet the housing requirements of the Island over the period 1996-2011. The four main greenfield sites identified in the phasing report were :
Land to the South East of Pan Estate, Newport
Worsley Road, Newport
Land to rear of Ashey Road
Land at Kingston, East Cowes
To ensure the release of greenfield development did not compromise the opportunity to bring forward brownfield development, the release of sites would be monitored and managed through the phasing report.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Executive be recommended that the Consultation Drafts of the Urban Capacity Study and the Managed Release of housing Sites be approved for Public Consultation.
CHAIRMAN