THE 'CALL IN' PERIOD FOR THESE DECISIONS (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MINUTE 59) EXPIRES AT 5.00 PM ON THURSDAY, 11 OCTOBER 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, 2 OCTOBER 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, Mrs J White

Also Present (non voting) :

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J Effemey, Mr J F Howe, Mr P D Joyce, Mr D J Knowles, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr V J Morey, Mr A J Mundy, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A A Taylor, Mr A T Titlman

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2001 be confirmed.

49. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Mrs J Allen, Friends of Northwood House asked a question in relation to Northwood House (PQ22/01).

A copy of the question and reply is contained in the Public Question Register.

50. URGENT BUSINESS - CONTRACT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

The Chairman indicated that there was an item of urgent business that required consideration by the Committee prior to the next meeting. This matter was of a confidential nature.

RESOLVED :

THAT the item be considered after the exclusion of public and press.

51. REVIEW OF CONVENTION FOR ATTENDANCE AT CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS

The Portfolio Holder for Resources advised members that the current conventions for the attendance of Members at conferences needed to be reviewed to reflect the new modernised arrangements.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT paragraph c be amended to include 'plus one representative from opposition groups'.

(ii) THAT subject to (i) above, the revised convention be adopted as the Council's Policy for member attendance at Conference and Seminars.

52. REINSTATEMENT OF A3055 UNDERCLIFF DRIVE

The Portfolio Holder for Transport updated members on the progress regarding the reinstatement of the A3055 Undercliff Drive.

The cost of undertaking works at all five sites affected by land movement was estimated to be �5.6 million. High-Point Rendel estimated the cost of the further investigation and provision of an environmental impact assessment at �137,500, in addition design fees were estimated to be �85,000. It was indicated that the sum of �222,500 could initially be charged to a holding account pending the submission of a bid under the Local Transport Plan.

Temporary works could be undertaken so to provide a temporary road in the first instance.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT design should proceed on the provision of a temporary carriageway diversion adjacent Beauchamp House at a cost of �20,000, and authority be given to negotiate with and conclude terms with the owner to acquire the land.

(ii) THAT expenditure of �222,500 be approved for further site investigation at all five sites and any subsequent design of the final schemes. This to be funded initially from a holding account and ultimately charged to the Local Transport Plan capital settlement if the bid is successful.

53. PROPOSED ADDITIONS TO THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS SELECT LIST

The Portfolio Holder for Resources reminded the Executive that at the Personnel and Sourcing Committee, held on 10 April 2000, an approved list of contractors had been agreed. Consideration was given to adding a further twenty four companies to the select list up to the expiry date of 31 August 2002.

RESOLVED :

THAT all new applicants be included onto the select list of contractors until August 2002.

54. ESTABLISHING A LOCAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

A presentation was received from Sue Charteris of Shared Intelligence, the Council's consultants, on the establishment of a Local Strategic Partnership.

The Local Government Act 2000 required local authorities to produce a community strategy for their area which should be done via a Local Strategic Partnership. The purpose of such a strategy was to give a sense of direction for organisations, communities and individuals on the Island and steer actions and investments increasingly towards shared objectives. Without a strategy or Local Strategic Partnership the Island would find it increasingly hard to access national and possibly international funding schemes in future.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL :

(i) THAT the Council's commitment to establishing a Local Strategic partnership for the Island be confirmed.

(ii) THAT the Council's representatives on the Local Strategic Partnership Board should be the Council Leader together with another Member of the Executive and one other Councillor.

(iii) THAT the draft constitution of the Local Strategic Partnership be agreed as a basis for discussion with other potential members.

(iv) THAT the Acting Head of Paid Service and Leader of the Council be authorised to agree the final membership and constitutional details and make arrangements for a launch event.

55. INFRASTRUCTURE OF COUNCIL CEMETERIES

The Portfolio Holder for Public, Environment Protection and Waste reminded Members that a report on the infrastructure of Council Cemeteries had been submitted to the Fire and Public Safety Select Committee on 22 November 2000.

The chapel at Northwood cemetery was deteriorating rapidly and would need in excess of �60,000 to repair and underpin. Partial demolition and buttressing would cost approximately �33,000. It was suggested that officers investigate proposals for an alternative use by consulting and advertising locally with a transfer by lease or possibly a sale.

The lodge at Carisbrooke cemetery had been empty for some time and was deteriorating, and it was estimated that the cost of repair would be in the region of �20,000. As the Lodge was now surplus to requirements, it was suggested that this could be offered for sale on the open market. This could raise a capital receipt of �80,000. It was felt that if the lodge was sold it would be necessary to separate the plot from the cemetery and a covenant to regulate its future use should be put in place.

Consideration was given to whether the Pellhurst Road, Ryde side of the cemetery should remain closed. If this was to be the case the existing fencing would need to be upgraded, at a cost of �5,000. Members felt that Ryde Forum should be consulted on the matter.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the redundant chapel at Northwood Cemetery be declared surplus to requirements by the Council. That the property be made safe and detailed costs to repair the building be prepared. That officers investigate proposals for an alternative use of the property by consulting and advertising locally with a transfer by lease or possibly a sale, with the outcome of these investigations being reported to the Executive.

(ii) THAT the Carisbrooke Cemetery Lodge be declared surplus to Council requirements and offered for sale by public auction subject to the arrangement set out in the report with the Property Services Manager in consultation with the respective Portfolio Holders being delegated to agree necessary works.

(iii) THAT the Ryde Forum be asked to formulate views on the future operation of Ryde Cemetery.

56. PORTFOLIO HOLDER - RESOURCES

(a) Northwood House

Members were advised that discussions had been underway for some time with a view to concluding a revised scheme with the Charity Commission in relation to Northwood House.

It was proposed that there be four nominated Trustees, the Isle of Wight Council, Cowes Town Council, Friends of Northwood House and Isle of Wight Gardens Trust. A formal view was still awaited from Cowes Town Council, but the Gardens Trust had decided against participation at this stage. A further issue concerning an area of land adjoining Park Court still needed to be resolved. Repairs to the house requiring immediate attention were estimated at �120,000.

Members discussed the future use of Northwood House and felt that further consideration should be given for the first floor to be used as office space for local government and the ground floor for community use.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Portfolio Holder in conjunction with the Director be delegated to appoint an alternative nominated trustee (or trustees) after consultation with the Northwood House forum.

(ii) THAT subject to (i) above and the agreement of the prospective trustees, the draft scheme for submission to the Charity Commission be approved.

(iii) THAT one member of the Executive be appointed as the Council's nominated trustee.

(iv) THAT the release of �70,000 from the Trust Fund and the submission of a grant bid to English Heritage to enable the completion of the Category A works be agreed.

(v) THAT the transfer of the land referred to be agreed, on terms to be agreed, to the Medina Housing Association, providing that that transaction can be concluded in the near future.

(vi) THAT the Resources Select Committee be invited to consider the potential of Northwood House as future office accommodation for the Council.

(vii) THAT a further report be received in the early part of 2002, once the results of the grant aid are known and the feasibility work has been undertaken concerning the demolition and rebuild of the rear of the property.

(viii) THAT a separate revenue account be established for the Trustees and review the level of support to the Trust at the start of each financial year.

(b) Newport Harbour Development

(Mr M Morgan Huws declared a pecuniary interest in this item and left the room)

(Mrs S A Smart declared a non pecuniary interest in this item as a Board member of the Riverside Centre).

Members gave consideration to the redevelopment of Newport Harbour and the adjoining Quays by marketing the area as a redevelopment opportunity and to select preferred developers and partners with whom the Council could work up an overall proposal.

It was estimated that the cost of a planning brief and consultation would be �3,000 and the estimated cost of marketing and sale �5,000 and a 1% fee of the sale price.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Council progress the redevelopment of Newport Harbour on the basis and in accordance with the timetable set out in the report, including the financial resources for the Planning Brief and marketing.

57. MEMBERS' QUESTION TIME

Mr A C Bartlett asked a question in relation to the lack of funding from Central Government for Social Services (MQ10/01).

Mr J Effemey asked a question in relation to development of the shoreside in Gosport (MQ11/01).

Mr J Effemey asked a question in relation to Northwood House (MQ12/01).

A copy of the questions and replies are contained in the Members' Question Register.

58. EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS

RESOLVED :

THAT under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, namely minute 59, on the grounds that there was likely to be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

59. URGENT BUSINESS - CONTRACT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

The confidential report of the Portfolio Holder for Resources for this item was circulated.

The Portfolio Holder reminded the Executive that at the meeting of the Full Council on 18 July 2001, it had been agreed that negotiations to determine the contract of the Chief Executive be delegated to him and the Chairman of the Resources Select Committee in consultation with the Personnel Services Manager.

The Executive was advised by the Portfolio Holder of the outcome of the negotiations and the recommendations arising from those. The Chairman of the Council agreed, after taking advice from the Monitoring Officer, both that the decision proposed was reasonable in all circumstances and to it being treated as a matter of urgency. The matter would be reported to the next meeting of the Council, outlining the reasons for the urgency.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Chief Executive's contract of employment be terminated in the interests of the efficiency of the service with effect from 30 September 2001, subject to the amendment of the confidentiality agreement so that there is a mechanism to share with all Council Members the terms of departure but subject to them respecting that confidentiality and so that the public can be informed that there would be no sum paid in compensation for loss of office but there would be an early release of pension according to the Councils usual policy.

(ii) THAT the compromise agreement be signed by the Portfolio Holder for Resources on behalf of the Council.

(iii) THAT the above shall not be subject to the call-in procedure in accordance with the process set out in the Constitution.

CHAIRMAN