THE "CALL IN"PERIOD FOR THESE DECISIONS EXPIRES AT 4.30 PM ON FRIDAY 4 JANUARY 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 THURSDAY, 18 DECEMBER 2001 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, Mr M O Morgan Huws, Mr H Rees

Apologies :

Mrs J White

Also present non-voting :

Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J H Fleming, Mr J F Howe, Miss H L Humby, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr A J Mundy, Mr R A Sutton, Mr D G Williams

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 11 December 2001 be confirmed.

108. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations declared at this stage.

109. URGENT BUSINESS - HACKNEY CARRIAGES : DEFINITION OF SUITABLY ADAPTED VEHICLE FOR DISABLED USE

(During the course of the debate Mr M O Morgan Huws declared a pecuniary interest in this item and took no part in the discussions or voting thereon).

The Chairman agreed to an urgent item of business as a decision was required prior to the date of the next meeting. Members were informed that the Hackney Carriage Working Party had met on 6 December 2001 to consider an appropriate definition for the term 'suitably adapted vehicle for disabled use' and had made four recommendations to the Fire and Public Safety Select Committee. These recommendations were supported by the Fire and Public Safety Select Committee on 17 December 2001. During a brief discussion the Portfolio Holder emphasised that the definition would only apply to Hackney Carriage vehicles and not to private hire vehicles.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the only acceptable definition of a Suitably Adapted Vehicle is a Purpose Built Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.

(ii) THAT the definition of a Purpose Built Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle was that the passenger should remain seated in their wheelchair and either be pushed or hydraulically lifted into the vehicle, not manually lifted, and they be secured and transported safely within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

(iii) THAT the aim of the Isle of Wight Council was that within 7 years all the taxis licensed on the Isle of Wight would be Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

(iv) THAT any new vehicle licence issued would be a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle and any replacement vehicle would be a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.

110. PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR RESOURCES

(a) Revenue Support Grant Consultation

The Portfolio Holder advised members that the draft settlement which would form the starting point for the budget process had now been received. This had been announced later than in previous years and so there would be more uncertainties than there had been in the past. Members were informed of the Revenue Support Grant Settlement for 2002/3 at national level and the changes from the 2001/2 Settlement. These included an increase of 7% Total Standard Spending and an increase of 5.4% Aggregate External Finance. A comparison of Standard Spending Assessment for 2001/2 and 2002/3 at national level was given which showed an increase of 5.4%. Details were given of the proposed Revenue Support Grant Settlement for the Isle of Wight . The Council's increase of Standard Spending Assessment was 6.4% in total cash terms. This however was only �1.3 million more than the budget for the current year and therefore the Settlement itself as reflected in the Standard Spending Assessment would only provide �1.3 million towards pressures on all services, including Social Services and Waste Management. Members were advised that there was no recognition of the costs of being an island in the settlement although the Council continued to benefit from the Area Cost Adjustment which had not been fundamentally changed.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Revenue Support Grant Settlement announcement be noted.

(ii) THAT the Directors' Group put the Budget proposals to the Executive on 15 January 2002

(iii) THAT the process set out in Appendix 4 of the report be endorsed.

(b) Land at Freshwater Library

Members considered the final terms for the sale of a strip of land adjacent to Freshwater Library. It was noted that the residential development scheme to the rear of Freshwater Library was only able to proceed if a strip of land owned by the Council which formed part of Freshwater Library was sold. A price had been agreed of �2,200 for each of the 24 plots which would be paid as each plot was sold with all monies paid within 36 months. Due to the passage of time and with a view to bring this matter to a conclusion, it was now proposed that the purchase price would be paid in one lump sum plus interest which would bring the amount to �56,000. It was noted that any resources required to ensure the library complied with the Disability Discrimination Act would form part of the capital bid process.

RESOLVED :

THAT the strip of land adjoining Freshwater Library be sold at a consolidated price of �56,000.

(c) The Chalet, Rylstone Gardens, Shanklin

The Portfolio Holder informed members that the Chalet at Rylestone Gardens was surplus to the Council's requirements. Expressions of interest had been sought, for a lease of the listed building which was in need of repair. Members were advised as to the individual offers that had been received which looked towards residential use of the property. Such schemes would require land around the building to become private open space. Members were reminded that the property was currently vacant necessitating works to the value of �80,000 if it was to be restored in a professional manner. Consideration was given to the only submission which complied with current planning policy by the Shanklin Brass Band who proposed a community type use. Repairs would be undertaken on a self help basis, with the Council's Building Manager liaising over supervision and specifications. The lease would exclude security of tenure and require that the building be put into good repair in consideration of a peppercorn rent.

RESOLVED :

THAT a lease to Shanklin Brass Band on the terms set out in the report be granted.

(d) Food Purchasing Strategy

Members were advised that potential savings (approximately �49,000) could be made through a more focussed strategic and corporate approach which would aggregate the Council's buying power in the purchase of these services. The Purchasing Advice Office, in conjunction with The Consortium for Purchasing and Distribution, had carried out a detailed analysis of food purchasing patterns and had identified significant improvement opportunities available if all Council establishments were to use the same contract and adopt ' one stop purchasing'. The Portfolio Holder thanked the staff involved in identifying the proposed savings.

RESOLVED :

THAT the proposed procurement strategy set out in Appendix A attached to the report be pursued.

111. APPOINTMENT TO OUTSIDE BODIES

Consideration was given to the recommendation made by the Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee on the appointment of Councillors Barry and Hancock as the Council's representatives on the Cowes Town Waterfront Trust.

RESOLVED :

THAT Councillors Barry and Hancock be appointed as the Council's representatives on Cowes Town Waterfront Trust.

112. SKANDIA LIFE COWES WEEK ENTERTAINMENTS AND EVENTS PROGRAMME

Consideration was given to the delivery of the programme of entertainments and events staged during the prestigious Cowes Week Sailing Regatta. The Council had historically provided an evening entertainments programme at Northwood House Marquee and a day time street theatre programme, café bar and tented village and other facilities and services on The Parade. These proposals were discussed at the Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee on 13 December 2001. It was reported that the select committee supported the retail element on the Parade and the extended street theatre programme but wished for a more detailed report to be brought to the next select committee meeting to deal with the issues regarding Northwood House.

Members were advised that the daily entertainment programme and the proposed tented village on the Parade was not affected by the plans Northwood House which was covered by a separate budget. The Select Committee were keen for the Executive to discuss matters relating to the Parade as soon as possible in order for potential hirers to be approached and booking of acts to take place. It was noted that the Police and Health and Safety officers were becoming increasingly concerned about the rising numbers on the Parade for the fireworks and that Wight Leisure were liaising with these parties in order to maximise safety. This included discussions on moving the barge further northwards and restricting numbers on the Parade.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the provision of an extended 'tented village' with a retail element where appropriate, and approval of hire fees as outlined be supported.

(ii) THAT any profits generated from the hire of units within the tented village be invested to further enhance the event.

Before the close of the meeting Councillor Humby presented a petition to the Portfolio Holder for Public, Environment Protection and Waste on Sandown Public Conveniences .

PUBLIC COPY OF EXEMPT MINUTE OF THE EXECUTIVE HELD 18 DECEMBER 2001

113. LIBRARY HEADQUARTERS AND LAND AT PARKHURST ROAD, NEWPORT

Consideration was given to the site of the Council's Bibliographic Section Offices, stores and surrounding property which was allocated for residential redevelopment in the Isle of Wight Unitary Development Plan. Adjoining this was land currently owned by HM Prison Service which was surplus to Prison Service requirements. Discussions had taken place with the Prison Service with regard to a combined development and the Prison Service had now offered that the Council's property be accessed via Hewitt Crescent. This offer had been made on the basis that the Council agreed to part of its development value to be used as a contribution to the making up of Hewitt Crescent and Partridge Road. The amount of this contribution would be apportioned between the parties according to the area of land owned by each part. In addition, it would be necessary to gain access to over the privately owned rear garden of No 10 Woolcombe Road which formed a separate confidential report.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT land be acquired on the terms proposed, as amended, in the confidential report.

(ii) THAT the arrangements with the HM Prison Service for a joint sale of land subject to the requirements set out in the report be agreed.

CHAIRMAN