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 JULY 2003 COMMENCING AT 9.30  AM

Present :

Mr C R Hancock (Chairman), Mr J R Adams, Mr A C Bartlett, Mr J A Bowker, Mr J F Howe, Mrs B Lawson, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr A J Mundy, Mr R C Richards, Mr D G Williams

Portfolio Holders :

Mrs T M Butchers, Mr J H Fleming, Mr H Rees

Apologies :

Mr K Pearson

Also Present (non voting) :

Mr B E Abraham, Mr A C Coburn, Mr E Fox, Miss H L Humby, Mrs M A Jarman, Mrs S A Smart, Mrs J L Wareham

 22.      MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on the 23 June 2003 be confirmed.

23.      BUDGET MONITORING AS AT END OF JUNE 2003

The Select Committee received the report of the Chief Financial Officer which detailed both the Capital and Revenue budgets within the Committees remit as at the end of June 2003. There were no significant variances to report.

It was noted that some areas of the budget, such as public shelters the allocation had not yet been spent. Members sought clarification as to when works were likely to start on such schemes. It was suggested that work such work should be done prior to the summer season. The Committee were advised that major work would commence in October in time for the following season.

Members requested that the report format be reviewed to include more information such as target dates, comments and any potential income figures.

RESOLVED :

THAT appropriate additional information be included in future reports to assist the monitoring of capital and revenue expenditure.

24.      QUARTERLY REPORT ON ISLE OF WIGHT ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES

           The Committee received an update on the activities of the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership.

Members clarified issues relating to :

           *          Market Town Initiatives

           *          The Public Realm Strategy

           *          Ambassadors Scheme

           *          Healthy Living Programme

           *          The Crime and Disorder Partnership

           *          Enterprise House

In particular concern was raised regarding the development of the Masterplan for Pan. Recent difficulties had been encountered with regard to funding, work was being done to overcome these issues.

Members requested that details of the 19 Health Living projects be circulated.

A progress report on the Cowes project was also received. Members were advised that the second phase of public consultation was complete. The adoption of Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) was due to be considered by the Executive on 30 July 2003. It was reported there was a great deal of work still to be done in the areas of marketing and developing key partners. Members were reminded that the project was being developed over a 5-10 year timescale.

RESOLVED :

                       THAT the report be noted. 

25.      REPORT INTO THE 2003 ISLE OF WIGHT MUSIC FESTIVAL

Members received the report of the Managing Director of Wight Leisure which provided the Committee with a review of the 2003 Music Festival. The Festival had been staged through a two week period 7-22 June 2003. Feedback and statistics indicated the Festival had been a success and an outline of comments received was given.

Statistics indicated that approximately 57,500 people had attended the events over the two week period and in particular the Rock Festival had received an audience of 28,000 over the two days. It was estimated that overall the festival had generated £3.1 million pounds for the Island’s economy.

Members discussed the location of the Rock Festival and noted that Seaclose Park had been chosen in consultation with the emergency services. The outturn taken by Southern Vectis in reducing its fare at the end of the Rock Festival was reported. It was not know at this stage how many passengers were transported by the company. The format of the Festival Programme was also discussed and some amendments suggested.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Committee pass its thanks and congratulations to the organisors of the Event, SOLO, Wight Leisure staff, outside agencies and sponsors

26.      SMOKING IN WIGHT LEISURE LICENSED FACILITIES

Consideration was given to the report of the Managing Director of Wight Leisure which detailed proposed changes to the current operational policy that allowed smoking in the bars at the Heights and Medina Leisure Centres.

The Committee were advised that over the last 12 months an increased number of complaints had been received from customers with regard to allowing smoking in these areas. Although both sites had no smoking areas within the bar the ventilation was not adequate to remove stale air from the area. The Council’s responsibilities to its staff working in such areas were highlighted together with research by the Department of Health on the effects of smoking.

Consultation with both staff and users had taken place, the results indicated that the introduction of a no smoking policy would not adversely affect the levels of income. Alternatively the cost of installing improved ventilation systems had been costed at £2,000 per site with a further £600 per year on maintenance costs.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Leisure be recommended to implement a no smoking policy in the bars at both the Heights and Medina Leisure Centre under delegated powers.

27.      PAN MASTERPLAN - UPDATE

The Select Committee received an update from the Head of Planning Services regarding the progress of the Masterplan for Pan. The Unitary Development Plan (UDP) 2001 had set out to carry out a Masterplan for the housing and employment allocations at Pan. Prior to undertaking the plan it had been necessary to complete and Urban Capacity Study (UCS), this had been adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) to the UDP in December 2002.

Consultants had been selected and a likely timetable of milestones agreed. In discussion members agreed that when appropriate, an extra meeting of the Committee would be arranged to consider the Masterplan.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

28.      APPOINTMENT TO AN OUTSIDE BODY - RYDE DEVELOPMENT TRUST

The Select Committee was advised that there were two vacancies on the Ryde Development Trust. Details had been circulated to all Ryde Councillors and four nominations had been received. One vacancy was required to be filled immediately with a further vacancy to be filled once the Trust had reached a set number of community representatives. Following a secret ballot on the first vacancy a nomination was made. A second secret ballot was taken on the other vacancy. Due to the equality of votes the Select Committee considered that the nomination should not be made until such time as the position required filling.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE :

THAT Mr I R Stephens be appointed to the first vacancy on Ryde Development Trust and that the second appointment be deferred and brought back to the Committee when required.

CHAIRMAN