Executive Minutes - 12 March 2002

THE “CALL IN”PERIOD FOR THESE DECISIONS EXPIRES AT 5.00 PM ON THURSDAY, 21 MARCH 2002. NONE OF THE DECISIONS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED UNTIL AFTER THAT DATE.

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON TUESDAY, 12 MARCH 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mrs S A Smart (Chairman), Mr R R Barry, Mr J A Bowker, Mr E Fox, Mr P G Harris, Mrs M A Jarman, Mrs B Lawson

Apologies :

Mrs J White

Also present non-voting :

Mr A C Bartlett, Mrs T M Butchers, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J H Fleming, Mr J F Howe, Mr G S Kendall, Mr R G Mazillius, Mrs M J Miller, Mr A J Mundy, Mr G P Price, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A A Taylor

150. THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER - PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND WASTE

Members were informed that the portfolio holder for Public, Environment Protection and Waste had resigned from the Executive and that all matters relating to this portfolio should be directed to the Leader of the Council in the first instance.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted

151. MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 26 February 2002 be confirmed.

152. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Interests were declared in the following matters:

Mr R Mazillius had a non-pecuniary interest in Minute 155 - Planning Green Paper

Mr P G Harris had a pecuniary interest in Minute 156 - Car Parking Order/Parking Review in relation to New Road, Lake

153. REVISION OF FEES AND CHARGES AND INTRODUCTION OF RESIDENTS REGISTRATION CARD AND VISITORS CARD

The Portfolio Holder presented the report which considered a proposed increase for fees and charges in 2002/03 and the implementation of a residents and visitors card. The new cards would form an extension to the existing Leisure Access Card System and were in line with the Audit Commission and District Auditor recommendations. The Residents Registration card would give discounts against high volume activities that were subject to the introduction of the two-tier casual pricing policy. The Visitors Card would be targeted at encouraging visitors to utilise the facilities more often and would offer visitors a discounted fixed period leisure card. The annual review on fees and charges proposed an average increase of between 3% and 4% with a two-tier pricing system for high volume casual activities. It was anticipated that the introduction of both cards together with the two-tier casual pricing should produce an estimated additional annual income of £25k which would be re-invested into the facilities and would assist with essential works. Members were advised that it was also proposed to set charges for 2002/03 and 2003/04 for Northwood House and the three Community Halls as bookings were now being accepted between 12 and 24 months in advance.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT an increase of 3% - 4% for Fees and Charges for 2002/03, be approved with effect from 1 May 2002 and where necessary fees and charges be increased for years 2003/04

(ii) THAT the introduction of a two-tier pricing system for casual use and the implementation of the new Residents Registration One Card and Visitor One Card be approved and prices be effective from 1 May 2002.

154. DRAFT CRIME AND DISORDER STRATEGY

Consideration was given to the final draft of the Crime and Disorder Strategy which had been considered by the Fire and Public Safety Select Committee at its meeting on 4 February 2002.

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 required the Council and Hampshire Constabulary to work together with other statutory partners to tackle crime and disorder on the Island. The draft strategy identified new priorities and actions to be delivered over the next three years and illustrated some examples of best practice that had developed. Members recognised the importance of the strategy and believed parents had a vital role to play in combatting anti social and criminal behaviour in young people.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO FULL COUNCIL :

THAT the Crime and Disorder Strategy be approved by the Council.

155. THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL

(a) Scheme of Portfolios and Delegation to Portfolio Holders

Members were aware that the Local Government Act 2000 allowed a radical departure from the past in so much as it allowed delegation to individual members. Regulations under the Act determined how delegation would work. When a decision was delegated to a Portfolio holder, a report would be prepared and this would include information which would normally be included in a report to the Executive. It was necessary that all decisions taken by the Portfolio Holder under delegated powers be recorded and published. These were already covered in the Protocol on the Council’s Decision Making Process. The Protocol also required that any report be available at least 3 days before any decision be taken, that decisions were subject to the call in procedure and that copies of decisions be featured on the agenda of the next meeting of the Executive. The scheme of delegation to portfolio holders had been developed reflecting the modernising agenda ethos of accountability and openness.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL :

THAT the scheme for portfolios and delegation to portfolio holders be adopted subject to the deletion of the word ‘political’ in the paragraph headed ‘Leader’, and the Council’s Constitution be amended accordingly.

(b) Ventnor Ground Investigations - Exemption from Standing Orders

Members were reminded that at the meeting of the Executive on 26 February 2002 it was agreed to proceed with the construction of Ventnor Harbour and that ground investigations would commence using SRB funding. It was proposed to let a contract worth £210,000 for ground investigations to High-Point Rendel, who were on the Council’s select list of geo-technical consultants. In order to secure SRB funding, the contract needed to be let urgently before 31 March 2002. Due to the specialist nature of the work and the short time-scale, Contract Standing Orders needed to be waived if a contract was to be let by this date.

RESOLVED :

THAT an exemption from Standing Orders be agreed.

156. PLANNING GREEN PAPER

The Portfolio Holder presented the report on the proposed response to the Secretary of State on the Planning Green Paper. This had been considered by the Development Control Committee on 18 February 2002 who recommended the paper be the basis of a response to the Secretary of State, subject to the proviso that strong emphasis was placed on the need for the Island to be considered as a sub-region in its own right. A recommendation was also included in the response concerning the issue of the sale of farm land in small parcels to individual purchasers which was occurring on the Island and was leading to unauthorised developments and a detrimental change in the character of the land. Members were advised that the implementation of the proposals would depend on the priorities of the government and parliamentary time and was not expected to be enacted before 2004. The Chairman of the Development Control Committee addressed the Executive.

RESOLVED :

THAT the proposed response together with some minor suggestions put forward by members be approved.

157. CAR PARKING ORDER / PARKING REVIEW

The Portfolio Holder advised the Executive that the Environment and Transport Select Committee considered a report on 21 January 2002 which outlined the results of a comprehensive Island-wide parking study undertaken by the Council’s consultants which proposed amendments to the Parking Places Order. These were then advertised and the comments received reported to the Select Committee on 27 February 2002. In the light of these comments, the Select Committee had made a number of recommendations to the Executive. Members were advised that the anticipated increase in revenue which would result from the proposed changes to the Parking Places Order were conservatively assessed at £200,000 for a full year after expenditure. However the changes as recommended by the Select Committee would significantly reduce that estimated additional income.

The portfolio holder explained the significance and reasons for the recommendations made by the Select Committee. The Chairman of the Select Committee addressed the Executive. The Executive discussed a number of issues that the report raised, in particular striking the right balance between long and short term car parking in Newport. A letter was circulated from Hovertravel which gave details of the problems faced by regular commuters wishing to park in Ryde.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Parking Places Order be approved subject to the amendments recommended and as further amended as follows:-

(i) THAT recommendation (6) read ‘THAT the Executive request the Select Committee in conjunction with the Liaison Committee to consider the provision of additional public long term parking in Newport by allowing public use of all or part of the newly extended parking area in Sea Street, to the rear of County Hall’

(ii) THAT recommendation (11) read ‘THAT income from car parking continue to support the transportation budget’

(iii) THAT Officers negotiate an agreement with Hovertravel for the lease of an agreed number of car parking spaces in Quay Road, Ryde, car park for use by regular cross Solent commuters and that the terms of the proposed lease be reported to the Executive for decision.

158. REINSTATEMENT OF UNDERCLIFF DRIVE, NITON

Consideration was given to the proposed acquisition of land at Niton Undercliff for the reinstatement of the Undercliff Drive highway. Members were reminded that the major landslip which had occurred along the A3055 Undercliff Drive in Niton, had caused significant damage to the highway and adjacent land and properties. The only alternative route was the route currently being used which involved a long deviation around several local villages. The decision of the Executive on 2 October 2001 gave approval to officers to negotiate for the acquisition of land to accommodate the proposed re-alignment of Undercliff Drive. These acquisitions involved two parcels of land at Stonelands Nursery and Beauchamp House including Beauchamp Cottage. Members were advised of the current status and value of the pieces of land involved.

RESOLVED :

THAT the land at Beauchamp House, Beauchamp Cottage and Stoneland Nursery be acquired on the terms in the report and the confidential appendix attached to the report.

159. MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME

Questions were put to the Chairman as follows :

Mr T Mundy asked a question on behalf on Mr J Effemey with regard to car parking (MQ16/02).

Copies of the questions and replies given are contained in the Members' Question Register.

CHAIRMAN