MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 2001 COMMENCING AT 9.15 AM

Present :

Mrs T E Butchers (Chairman), Mr J R Adams, Mr A C Bartlett, Mr B C Buckle, Mrs B D Clough, Mr J H Fleming, Mrs E Oulton, Mr A A Taylor (deputising for Mr J Effemey), Mrs J L Wareham.

Apologies :

Mr C B W Chapman, Mr J Effemey, Mrs M Miller.

Spokespersons :

Mr E Fox, Mrs B Lawson.

Also present (Non-voting) :

Mrs M J Lloyd

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 1 August 2001 be confirmed.

6. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Mr D Vincent, Honorary Secretary of the Isle of Wight Bus Users Group, asked questions of the Chairman in relation to officers attendance at meetings of the Quality Transport Partnership. (PQ21/01). A copy of the questions and reply given is contained in the Public Question Register.

7. URGENT BUSINESS - HIGHWAY ISSUES

The Chairman asked for officers to update the Select Committee on the latest position regarding proposed works at Military Road, Freshwater and Undercliffe Drive, Ventnor together with revised procedures for dealing with highway matters.

Members noted that the tenders received in respect of proposed works at Military Road, Freshwater were in excess of that budgeted for. The Council's consultants were reviewing the tender details to see what options were available. The high cost of the scheme was due to the specialised nature of the works and the difficulties presented by the site. With regard to Undercliff Drive more site investigations would be required but it was anticipated that a scheme would cost in the region of �5.6m. A temporary solution was possible and a supplementary bid, through the Local Transport Plan, for this was being made.

The Select Committee was then advised of the new systems being introduced by Highways and Transportation for dealing with reports of road defects. Additionally the problems in dealing with the large volume of correspondence and telephone calls were being addressed through the establishment of a call centre within Jubilee Stores.

The Chairman indicated that all Members of the Council should be advised of the new arrangements and the Select Committee kept updated on future developments.

RESOLVED :

THAT the matters be noted.

8. ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT SELECT COMMITTEE WORKPLAN

The Head of Select Committee Support referred to the Committee's Away Day in August 2001 when a number of issues were highlighted as work priorities. These had now been programmed into a workplan. It was noted by Members that rights of way were not included within the scope of the Select Committee as it came under the remit of the Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee. It was believed that this should be raised when the Council reviewed the modernised structure. The attendance of appropriate officers at meetings was also considered to be of prime importance to the workings of the Select Committee.

Members noted the substantive items for future meetings and felt that there may be a need for additional meetings due to the workload involved. There would be a need to consider funding of Island Trust 2000 and the review of car parking should also involve the Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee.

The establishment of Task Groups and Working Parties was discussed together with their terms of reference. If sufficient progress was made by the Task Groups/Working Parties then the relevant item could be brought forward in the workplan.

RESOLVED :

(a) THAT the draft workplan be approved subject to the inclusion of a report on the Island 2000 Trust at the 24 October 2001 meeting.

(b) THAT Task Groups be established with the following terms of reference :-

(i) Waste Management and Recycling

(1) To assess whether recycling and collection targets are being met and whether performance can be improved and if so how.

(2) Getting the recycling message across to the public - to review how it could be explained better.

(3) To review arrangements for issuing of composting bins and black boxes.

(4) To identify and investigate options for recycling more commercial waste.

(ii) Public Conveniences

(1) To revisit past Council investigations.

(2) To consider alternative types of facility eg self cleaning.

(3) To review Disability Discrimination implications (building control).

(c) THAT a Working Party on Traffic Management at Ferry Terminals be established, comprising 5 Members, to identify the extent of traffic management problems at Island ferry terminals through consultation with residents groups, town and parish Councils and service operators and recommendations be made to the Select Committee.

(d) THAT the Head of Highways and Transportation be advised that his attendance at future meetings will be expected.

9. REVIEW OF APPOINTMENTS TO OUTSIDE BODIES

The Director of Corporate Services reported on the process involving Select Committees with regard to the appointment of members to outside bodies. Consideration was given to the nominations received in respect of the appointment of a representative, and deputy, to The Standing Conference on Problems Associated with the Coastline.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Executive be recommended to approve the appointment of Mrs J L Wareham, together with Mr J Effemey as deputy, to The Standing Conference on Problems Associated with the Coastline (SCOPAC).

10. A COMMUNITY RENEWABLE ENERGY STRATEGY FOR THE ISLE OF WIGHT

The Select Committee received a presentation from the Planning Policy and Environment Manager on renewable energy. He outlined the different forms of renewable energy and the development potential for these particularly in relation to the Island. The adoption of any form of sustainable energy strategy would depend to a great extent to public acceptance of the methods of generation chosen and the overall environmental impact. There would also be a need to consider the implications of planning guidance and policies.

Members were advised of the work undertaken over the previous few years on establishing the Island's ecological footprint. The highlighted the impact of energy consumption and key issues that should be addressed to assist in environment resource management.

In conjunction with international and national moves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions the Isle of Wight had been included in a european funded programme aimed at developing reusable energy sources on Islands. The aims of the Alterner project were outlined together with the other partners involved. The independent consultant acting as the Project Co-ordinator would be reporting on an analysis of the Island's renewable energy potential in the autumn. It was proposed that a workshop, involving relevant community representatives, would be held in February 2002. This would lead to the drafting of an Action Plan for Community Energy Strategy by September 2002.

The Portfolio Holder for Agenda 21 and Countryside Matters, together with the Agenda 21 and Health Alliance Officer, reported on a visit they made earlier in the month to Gotland, Sweden. This involved a tour of that island's windpower project and enabled a useful exchange of information with delegates from a number of other countries. Gotland had been appointed as mentor to the Isle of Wight under the Altner project.

Members agreed there was a need for a Task Group to be formed to assist in this project. The involvement of other Select Committees would need to be discussed by the Liaison Committee.

RESOLVED :

(a) THAT a Task Group be established to work with officers and community representatives to develop the Island Community Renewable Energy Strategy.

(b) THAT members undertake fact finding visits to view working examples of renewable energy production.

CHAIRMAN