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, 28 APRIL 2003 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM
Present :
Mr C R Hancock (Chairman), Mr J R Adams, Mr A C Bartlett, 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 Holders :
Mrs T M Butchers, Mr J H Fleming
Apologies :
Mr H Rees
Also Present (non voting) :
Miss H L Humby, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr G P Price, Mrs J L Wareham
1. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on the 24 February 2003 be confirmed.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Mr A J Mundy declared a personal interest in Minute 5 as the treasurer of St Thomas’ Church
Mr C Hancock declared the following interests :
A personal interest in Minute 4, as the Council’s Representative on the Cowes Waterfront Trust
A personal interest in Minute 5, as the Chairman of the North Medina Community Development Trust
A prejudicial interest in Minute 5 as the interact project was part of the Hampton Trust to which Mr Hancock was employed.
3. MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME
Miss H Humby raised the Committee’s awareness regarding the poor condition of the Sandown Canoe Lake and presented the Chairman of the Select Committee with a signed petition from a local school.
4. BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF MARCH 2003
The Select Committee received the report of the Chief Financial Officer which set out the budget and spending position on both revenue and capital for the services within the Committee’s remit as at the end of March 2003. Members were advised that there were still a number of year end adjustments to be made. It was noted that there was a estimated £40,000 underspend in the planning policy area, largely due to vacant posts. Furthermore members were advised that a number of capital schemes were underspent but would be rolled over and spent in the financial year of 2003/04.
In discussion, members considered the continued delay in the repair to the Medina Swimming Pool heating and pumps. It was noted that the Council’s Property Services department had investigated a number of options including an energy efficient system and were hopeful of receiving an energy grant to support the cost of the work. Members requested that a report detailing the current situation be brought back to the Select Committee at the nearest opportunity.
Members noted that the current budget underspend equated to 41% of the total budget and yet budget savings had been made in decorative lighting. Members highlighted the importance of decorative lighting with regard to the tourism industry. Since the budget savings, the responsibility for maintenance of lighting had largely been passed to Town and Parish Council’s.
RESOLVED :
(a) THAT the Select Committee note the report
(b) THAT the Committee recommend to the Executive that any surplus budget in the Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee remit be used as a priority for decorative lighting
5. QUARTERLY REPORT ON ISLE OF WIGHT ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES
The report of the Head of Policy and Communications provided members with the opportunity to consider the outcome of the Ernst and Young audit of the Isle of Wight Partnership finances for the year 2001-2002 and to update members generally on the IWEP activities.
With regard to the Audit of the partnership accounts, which had been circulated at the Select Committee’s meeting on the 24 February 2003, the Committee considered the lessons learned from the audit and were assured that the IWEP accounts were now being closely monitored
Detailed consideration was given to the quarterly update which outlined the key areas of activity and quarterly reports to SEEDA
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be noted.
6. 2003 EVENTS PROGRAMME
The Select Committee received a presentation from the Managing Director of Wight Leisure outlining the 2003 Events Programme. It was noted that the programme had been delivered since 1996 and followed specific strategic aims. The various levels of management, delivery and support were highlighted. It was emphasised that Wight Leisure were involved in partnership working with many different bodies, including other Council departments, Isle of Wight Tourism, the private sector, Voluntary sector, the community and sponsors.
The Committee noted that due to budget savings for 2003/04 the Programmes budget had been reduced by £20,000, leaving a total budget allocation of £351,608. However this was supplemented by sponsorship and product support etc.
Consideration was given to the success of the events programme of 2002, it had been estimated that the spend into the economy arising from the events had been £3.328 million.
Members noted that the following five strategic events would be supported by the 2003 Events programme :
Cowes Week
Walking Festival
Festival of Cycling
White Air Extreme Sports Festival
Music Festival, including youth festival
Members thank the Managing Director for her very interesting and informative presentation
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be noted.
7. THE EXTERNALISATION OF WIGHT LEISURE
Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Community Development and Tourism which updated members on the progress of the externalisation of Wight Leisure to a Not for Profit Distributing Organisation (NPDO). As Members were aware the externalisation had failed to achieve its target date of the 1 October 2002. The Committee were advised that the Directors Group of the Council had appointed a third party to review the process that had been followed and examine decisions made and actions taken. Mr Tony Hall had been appointed to undertake this task and was due to report his findings at the beginning of May 2003.
In discussion members were advised that the cost of the consultant was £650 per day plus expenses. The work was to be completed in 11 days. Members were concerned that the Directors Group had taken the decision to appoint Mr Hall as a independent consultant without consultation with the Committee.
RESOLVED :
(a) THAT the report be noted.
(b) THAT the Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support write on the Committee’s behalf to the Council’s Chief Executive Officer expressing the Select Committee’s concern regarding the decision to appoint a consultant to review the externalisation of Wight Leisure
8. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING, TOURISM AND LEISURE SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE WORK PLAN 2003/04
The Committee received a copy of the Select Committee Workplan for the forthcoming months. Subject to a few minor amendments members agreed the content of the workplan.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Select Committee Workplan be agreed.
9. ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL FORWARD PLAN - MAY TO AUGUST 2003
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be noted.
CHAIRMAN