THE "CALL IN"PERIOD FOR THESE DECISIONS EXPIRES AT 4.30 PM ON TUESDAY 24 APRIL 2001. 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 THURSDAY, 12 APRIL 2001 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM
Present :
Mrs S A Smart (Chairman), Mr R R Barry, Mrs T M Butchers, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr P G Harris, Mr A D Hollands, Miss H L Humby, Mr G A Nichols, Mr H Rees, Mr R A Sutton
Also present non-voting :
Mr B E Abraham, Mr A C Bartlett, Mr E Fox, Mrs M A Jarman
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 5 April 2001 be approved as a correct record.
300. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Interests were declared in the following matters:
Mr A D Hollands - a pecuniary interest in Education and Social Services matters as a contractor for a number of transport contracts for those departments. It was accepted that this was a standing declaration.
301. URGENT BUSINESS - SHANKLIN AND UNDERCLIFF LANDSLIP
Members were advised that slippage material was still being cleared from behind the Shanklin Beach Hotel and would cost in the region of �90,000. This had been done on a without prejudice basis while the question of ownership was being established. A study had shown an area of potential risk existed behind Jungle Jims. A meeting was scheduled for the following week with the consulting engineers to discuss the need for removing the talus slope behind the Esplanade Gardens Car Park. Access to the cliff top had been closed although it was hoped to open Littlestairs steps in time for Easter. A meeting for local businesses and residents in the area with council officers would be taking place shortly.
With regards to Undercliff Drive it was reported that 80 metres of Principal Road had been lost. A number of services had been affected together with 2 properties a car park and several gardens. A meeting of local residents had taken place and a geological survey was in the process of being carried out in order to determine the feasibility of reinstating the road. It was hoped that a bid could be made for money the government had set aside to help with the recent storm damage. It had been estimated that with cost to the Islands' infrastructure could be between �3 - 4 million.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be noted and the action taken to date be approved.
302. REPORT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Best Value Review: Promoting a Safe Society
Members were advised that the Council's first cross-cutting Best Value Review had now been concluded. These reviews were based on themes which had relevance to the Island community as a whole rather than to one specific service that the Council provided and therefore covered the work of organisations and agencies other than the Council alone. Consultations had been undertaken both internally and externally and these included the views from the Citizens Panel. Comparing the Review with other authorities had proved difficult as their reviews did not seem to have covered such a broad remit. The Fire and Safety Select Committee had discussed and endorsed the report at their meeting on 21 March 2001.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be approved.
303. JOINT REPORT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND INFORMATION
America's Cup Jubilee - Cowes 2001 Ltd: 1st Tranche of the Further Grant for 2001/2002
The joint report from the Chief Executive and the Director of Finance and Information was received. The report considered the release of �50,000 being the 1st tranche of the further grant to Cowes 2001 Limited in respect of the America's Cup Jubilee. The Council had agreed to earmark a sum equivalent to �200,000 for Cowes 2001 Ltd in support of the America's Cup Jubilee event. Each payment had been made in stages with each being subject to a report to the Executive on the progress measured against the business plan and the availability of Council funds at the time.
At the meeting of the Executive on 11 January 2001, Members requested a comprehensive plan to market the event together with a completed sponsorship list to be available when the Executive next considered the matter. These had now been circulated to Members as part of the report.
The cost to the Council of providing shoreside facilities was to be deducted from the overall grant and Members were informed that this amount could exceed the whole amount of the second tranche. Consideration was given to an amount from the first tranche being held back until full details of the Council's commitment were known.
Mr Jones, the Chief Executive of the Company, and Mr Hetherington attended to answer Members' questions.
RESOLVED :
(i) THAT payment be made of part of the first tranche of the Further Grant for 2001/02 in the sum of �40,000.
(ii) THAT the release of the remaining �10,000 be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Executive Spokesperson, subject to the deduction of any further costs accruing to the Council in the provision of Shoreside Facilities, after which any balance remaining is to be made over.
304. REPORT OF THE HEAD OF TOURISM SERVICES
100th Anniversary of the Death of Queen Victoria
Members were informed that the Tourism Partnership Limited through Isle of Wight Tourism had proposed a number of marketing initiatives. Members particularly welcomed the idea of the blue plaque scheme but were disappointed that no representative from Tourism was available to attend the Executive. Members were advised that there was no budgetary provision available to progress any of the options.
RESOLVED :
THAT Tourism explore the marketing initiatives within their existing budgetary provisions in consultation with the Town and Parish Councils and local people.
305. JOINT REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE SERVICES, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENT SERVICES AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF WIGHT LEISURE
Land At Culver Parade, Sandown
The Director of Corporate Services introduced an interim report which contained a revised proposal from Frincon Securities Limited for the road access to the Dinosaur Isle Project. The new proposal would mean access would be from the east side of the Dinosaur Isle project rather than the west. Members spent some time discussing a number of complex issues that this would incorporate and felt that although the project had been underway for a considerable amount of time, the positive aspects of the scheme still needed to be emphasised. Concern was expressed over the current look and untidiness of the site. Members suggested that visiting the site would enable them to better understand the aspects of the scheme.
RESOLVED :
(i) THAT a decision be deferred pending external legal advice on the options open to the Council.
(ii) THAT officers be authorised to extend the Council's rights in relation to the existing bond.
(iii) THAT progress together with a detailed balance sheet be reported back to the Executive in due course.
(iv) THAT a site visit be arranged when the Executive next consider this item.
306. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE SERVICES
Asset Management Best Value Report
The Director of Corporate Services presented his report on Best Value - Asset Management. The Executive welcomed the development of a long term Asset Management Plan which met corporate and service department needs and which would also be annually reviewed and reported to the relevant select committee.
RESOLVED :
(i) THAT the findings contained in the Best Value be endorsed.
(ii) THAT a mechanism to corporately review findings in relation to surplus assests from select committees and portfolio holders be identified and reported back to the Executive.
307. MEMBERS' QUESTION TIME
Mr Niclols asked whether the Head of Tourism could distribute a flyer to inform people of the wide variation in fares being charged for the car ferries. The Leader agreed.
Miss Humby asked a question relating to the road works that were due to be done over the holiday period. The portfolio holder for transport replied that the matter had been raised at full council the day before and that the works had been held up due to the recent bad weather conditions.
Mrs Butchers asked if the Leader was aware that due to pressure from local and town councillors, fares on the Wightlink service between Yarmouth and Lymington had been brought down in line with fares between Fishbourne and Portsmouth. The Leader replied that she was aware and thanked Mrs Butchers for bringing it to the attention to the Executive.
Mr Cunningham asked whether illegal parking in the Councils car park on market day could be investigated. The Leader agreed that this could be looked into.
CHAIRMAN