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, 29 SEPTEMBER 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 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) :

 

Mr M A Jarman, Mr R G Mazillius, Mrs M J Miller



 

 33.      MINUTES


RESOLVED :

 

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on the 26 August 2003 e confirmed.

 

34.      BEST VALUE REVIEW OF PLANNING SERVICES


The Select Committee received the report of the Head of Planning Services which presented the findings of the Best Value Review. As part of the Councils programme for Best Value reviews the review had commenced in January 2003 and was planned for completion by October 2003. Members considered the Executive Summary of the review which highlighted the main issues and explained how they would be addressed within the Best Value Improvement Plan over a 3 year period.

 

           Members received a powerpoint presentation from the Head of Planning Services highlighting the key issues and themes arising from the review. The Head of Service detailed the context for the review both locally and nationally. With regard to local issues it was noted that the Unitary Development Plan had been adopted in May 2001 and restructuring of the Service had been undertaken towards the end of 2002.


The Reviews Key themes included :

 

Focussing on what matters to local people

Assuring the quality of development

Enhancing customer care

Reducing the delay in development control

Reinforcing management system to achieve quality

 

During discussion members were advised there had been some success regarding the appointment of Planning Officers however some vacancies still existed. In some cases the requirement for qualifications had been lowered to successful recruit young staff and provide training once in post.


Members considered the need to ensure that all Planning developments were sympathetic to the Islands tourism needs. The Committee were assured that links with tourism together will the Community Strategy were being developed.


The key milestones were outlined as follows :

 

The Introduction of DIP by December 2003

To meet the Government Standard by March 2004

To develop Local Development Framework by December 2006

To Meet all performance targets by December 2006

To achieve an ‘excellent’ rating on the Planning Officers Society Excellence Matrix by December 2007;

and to continue ongoing engagement


Members thanked both the Head of Planning Services and staff for their hard work and dedication to improving the Service.


RESOLVED :

 

           (a)       THAT the Executive be recommended that the Select Committee support the Best Value Executive Summary and Action Plan

 

           (b)       THAT the Select Committee continue to monitor the Best Value Action Plan and review its progress in six months.

 

35.      SERVICE PLANS

 

           (a)       Planning

 

The Select Committee gave consideration to the Planning Service Plan. The key achievements for 2003/04 were outlined together with the key objectives and improvements for 2004/05.

 

The Head of Planning Services outlined the Resource Bids amounting to £202,000 in 2004/05. The most costly bid was the costs of production of a Local Development Framework (LDF) which amounted to £70,000in 2004/05 rising to £225,000 in 2006/07.

 

With regard to the mandatory targets 2004/05 Members noted that no data had been recorded for the percentage of services transactions being received or processed electronically. The Committee were advised that the Service was awaiting the installation of the Document Imaging Processing System (DIPS) in addition to the staged implementation of the Greater Access to Greater Services agenda. It was hoped that data would be available towards the end of the 2003.

 

Some concern was expressed regarding the requirement of additional staffing to implement the DIP system. Although in the short term an additional member of staff would be needed to scan in existing files, members were assured that in the long term it would create more time for existing staff to focus on other areas of work.

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the Select Committee note the Service Plan

 

           (b)       Economic Development

 

The Select Committee expressed concern that the Service Plan had not been delivered in the newly revised format. Members requested that the Head of Service, who was responsible for the development of the new Service Plans, bring back his report to the next Committee meeting in the correct format.

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the Economic Development Service Plan be deferred to the Select Committees meeting on the 27 November 2003.

 

36.      ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL FORWARD PLAN - OCTOBER 2003 TO JANUARY 2003


RESOLVED :

 

THAT the Forward Plan be noted.

 

37.      MEMBERS QUESTION TIME


Members asked a number of questions in relation to the Appointment of a Head of Tourism Services. The Portfolio Holder responding accordingly and it was agreed that the Select Committee address the Head of Community Development at its meeting on 27 November 2003 regarding their areas of concern.

 

 

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN