THE "CALL IN"PERIOD FOR THESE DECISIONS EXPIRES AT 5.00PM THURSDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 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 TUESDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2001 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mrs S A Smart (Chairman), Mr R R Barry, Mr E Fox, Mr P G Harris, Mrs M A Jarman, Mrs B Lawson, Mr M O Morgan Huws, Mr H Rees, Mrs J White

Apologies :

Mr J A Bowker

Also present non-voting :

Mr J R Adams, Mr A C Bartlett, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr P D Joyce, Mr G S Kendall, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr A J Mundy, Mr A T Tiltman

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 30 October 2001 be approved as a correct record.

80. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Interests were declared in the following matters:

Mrs J White had interest in minute 81 - The Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations as a member of the Licensing Panel.

Mrs B Lawson declared a non-pecuniary interest in minute 83 - Compact with the Voluntary Sector

Mrs S A Smart declared a non-pecuniary interest in minute 83 - Compact with the Voluntary Sector.

81. THE QUEEN'S GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS - ISLE OF WIGHT MUSIC FESTIVAL

The Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Leisure presented a report which considered proposals to stage an Island wide two week music festival which would coincide with the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations. It was proposed that the festival would encompass a wide range of music and be held at different venues across the Island which would be promoted and branded as one complete event and attraction. It was reported that the festival would contribute to many of the strategies and objectives the Council had developed. The Director of Solo UK Limited briefly addressed the meeting and answered members questions' in respect of the proposed launch event to be held at Seaclose Park.

The Strategic Director of Finance and Information informed members of the potential financial risks that would be taken if the venture was given approval. It was stressed that the Council would have unlimited liability for all the income and costs if the festival was not the outstanding success that everyone hoped that it would be. Members were also advised that the Council held small reserves and had a difficult budget year ahead.

Legal advice was given about the large amount of organisation that would be required for the launch event to comply with the Isle of Wight Act, especially with regard to meeting the needs of the emergency services both on the Island and the mainland, the setting up and dismantling of the site and for audit purposes, the deciding of a clear line of responsibility. The Managing Director of Wight Leisure advised the meeting that preliminary consultations with a wide range of bodies had been extremely positive and helpful in this regard and that the potential costs of meeting the terms of the Act were accounted for in the projected business plan.

Members recognised the importance of promoting the Island as a holiday destination and the need to attract a diverse range of people to the Island. It was also believed that the reputation of the event would grow over the years and would prove to be a long term and worthwhile investment for the future.

The Head of Highways believed that any difficulties in relation to traffic management could be overcome but at a cost, and as yet no details were available as to the potential cost.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the concept of the Isle of Wight Music Festival as set out in the report be supported.

(ii) THAT the opportunity costs of arranging the festival to a maximum amount of �109,000 be underwritten from the reserves of Wight Leisure.

(iii) THAT provision be made to provide overall financial support for the festival in the sum of �20,550 to form part of next year's budget considerations.

(iv) THAT financial support for succeeding years' events be provided by allocating any profits made in the current year to them.

82. NEWPORT MARKET

(Mrs S A Smart declared a non pecuniary interest in relation to the Riverside Centre).

Members were reminded that Newport Market was relocated from Coppins Bridge to Sea Street when the multiplex was built. The location in Sea Street had been temporary pending a review and identification of a preferred site. The review recommended siting the market in the Town Squares and along the High Street. Members discussed the implications that the relocation would have on the traffic and parking and the importance of clear signage to redirect unnecessary traffic from central Newport. Members were aware of the potential problems relating to the setting down and picking up of people from coaches at the Quay and were keen to explore the possibilities of a park and ride system. A letter from the National Market Traders' Federation was received and considered.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the relocation of the Market to the Town Centre as set out in the report be approved, subject to a successful trial period and planning consent approval.

(ii) THAT St Georges Park be considered for the parking of coaches subject to satisfactory negotiations, or such other sites that may be appropriate.

83. COMPACT WITH THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR

Members were advised that the Council together with the Voluntary and Community Sector had drafted a local Compact which supported the development of a closer relationship with each other in the future. It had already been approved by the Voluntary and Community Sector. The Compact was intended to develop and improve partnerships based on shared values and mutual respect and would be a "charter" in relationships between the Council and the Voluntary and Community Sector would be established. It was stressed that the agreement did not contractually bind the Council to any level of financial investment. Members expressed concern that the relevant select committee had not been given the opportunity to consider the Compact prior to the report being put before the Executive. However, the Executive were keen to support the Compact and wished it to take effect as quickly as possible.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Compact be approved and adopted.

84. DOG BAN BEACH BYELAWS

Members were reminded that Beach Dog Ban Beach Byelaws prohibited owners taking their dogs onto designated areas from the 1 May until the 30 September inclusive each year. A number of requests had been made to both the Environmental Health Department and the Leisure and Amenities Department which had requested that certain beaches were designated dog free during the summer months. Consideration was then given to the revocation of the existing South Wight and Medina Borough Council Dog Ban Beach Byelaws and the consolidation into a single Isle of Wight Council Byelaw as well as the making of a new byelaw which would ban dogs from certain beaches.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL :

(i) THAT new beach ban byelaws for any or all the areas of beach at Ryde, East Cowes, Seaview, Sandown and Springvale areas be made.

(ii) THAT the Dog Ban Beach Byelaws made by South Wight and Medina Borough Councils be revoked and that all dog ban beach areas be consolidated into a single Isle of Wight Council Byelaw.

85. ISLE OF WIGHT INTEGRATED GROUNDS MAINTENANCE CONTRACT

Consideration was given regarding the award of the Isle of Wight Integrated Grounds Maintenance Contract. The Portfolio Holder informed members that the Council were responsible for many types of open spaces that required regular and at certain times frequent maintenance. Since Local Government re-organisation in 1995 the Isle of Wight Council had inherited a variety of contracts that undertook this type of work. To enable a common end date, many of the existing contracts were extended so as to terminate on 31 December 2001.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the contracts be awarded to the different contractors as set out in Option 1 in the report based on the most economically advantageous tenders received.

(ii) THAT a reserve fund be held of the excess savings achieved as a result of the tendering exercise for the first 12-month start-up period for the contracts covered by this tendering exercise.

(iii) THAT the �60,000 savings included in next years budget is apportioned across the contracts covered by this tendering exercise.

86. SENIOR MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

The Portfolio Holder for Resources presented the report which built upon the earlier decision taken regarding restructuring of the senior manager organisation. Annex B to the report, as amended, was circulated at the meeting which showed the proposed senior manager scale. Evaluation and entry point onto the salary bar would be undertaken in accordance to the Hay principles. An appointments panel would be set up in accordance with standing orders to fill posts where more than one applicant had applied.

Members discussed the issues that the report raised and in particular the reduction of the number of chief officers and the potential increase in pay and responsilbilities. Concern was expressed that the report had not been to the Select Committee for comment prior to the matter being considered by the Executive. A separate paper covering Select Committee Support would be discussed at a future meeting.

RESOLVED :

THAT the senior management organisation and grading structure as set out in this report including Annex A and B be approved and implemented.

CHAIRMAN