THE “CALL IN”PERIOD FOR THESE DECISIONS EXPIRES AT 5.00 PM ON THURSDAY, 11 JULY 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, 2 JULY 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mr P G Harris (Chairman), Mr R R Barry, Mr E Fox, M A Jarman, Mrs B Lawson, Mr R G Mazillius, Mrs J L Wareham

Apologies :

Mr D J Knowles, Mr H Rees, Mrs S A Smart

Also present non-voting :

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J H Fleming, Mr J F Howe, Mr A J Mundy, Mr R A Sutton

49. MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 27 June 2002 be confirmed.

50. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no interests declared at this stage.

51. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Questions were put to the Chairman as follows :

Mr I D McDowall of Prestwood Grange, Smallbrook Lane, Ryde asked a question in relation to the Compulsory Purchase Order of Prestwood Farm (PQ75/02)

Copy of the question and reply given is contained in the Public Question Register.

52. LEAD COMMISSIONING PROPOSALS

Consideration was given to proposals for merging the Lead Commissioning responsibilities for health and social care between the Primary Care Trust and the Social Services and Housing Directorate. This would lead to greater efficiency and less duplication of effort and would improve the outcomes for people who rely on the services. Members received an outline of the proposals and were informed that consultation was due to take place during July and August. A report would be submitted to the Executive and the Primary Care Trust Management Board in September with details for final agreement. The Strategic Director confirmed that any future proposals for pooled resources would need to protect both organisations and was likely to affect approximately £17 million of expenditure.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Strategic Director of Social Services and Housing be authorised to consult on the proposals and report back to the Executive on the outcome with their recommendations in September 2002.

53. COMMUNITY STRATEGY

The Local Government Act 2000 required the Authority to develop a Community Strategy to provide a vision of the future for the Island and which would become the focus for other plans, bids and strategies. Members were informed that the second stage of the formal consultation process had been was completed and were advised of the key results. The Council and partner organisations were now required to adopt the final draft of the Strategy.

RESOLVED :

THAT the results of the formal consultation exercise be noted

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL :

THAT the draft strategy be adopted

54. CORPORATE PLAN 2002 – 2005 “ ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE THOUGH TEAM WORK”

The Strategic Vision for the Council contained seven key goals. These formed Part 1 of the draft Corporate Plan. Further Parts (Making it Happen, Financing the Plan and the Next Steps) had been added to complete the draft Corporate Plan. Consultation could now take place with the Council’s partners.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Head of Paid Service send the draft Plan to the partners listed on Annex A attached to the report inviting their views and comments

55. PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR RESOURCES

a) Prestwood Farm Compulsory Purchase Order

(Mr A J Mundy declared a personal interest as an acquaintance of the owners of Prestwood

Farm)

Members received an update on the current situation relating to the compulsory purchase of Prestwood Farm. Counsel had been briefed and draft documents had been submitted to him for approval.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

b) Right of Way, Bowling Green Lane, Totland

The owners of land on which two new bungalows had been built claimed prescriptive rights over the track leading to Totland Recreation Ground. The Council had not disputed the access and wished to formalise the right of way by the completion of a deed of grant. The landowner had agreed to pay the Council a sum of £7,000. Although this sum was more than recommended by an independent Consultant, it had been agreed on the basis that the consideration would be used to repair Bowling Green Lane. Advice was given that there were current proposals for a new scout hut and football pavilion at the recreation ground through a potential sports lottery application. Members were reminded that when the Bowls Club was constructed there should have been a newly surfaced car park, but financial resources at the time were insufficient. The whole of this track could be repaired for £10,500, which meant that the Council would need to find a further £3,500. The local member supported the proposal.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT a Deed of Grant be agreed on the terms indicated in the report

(ii) THAT a further £3,500 be spent from Capital Resources together with the consideration for the deed of grant, to repair Bowling Green Lane at Totland.

c) Proposed Lease Health and Fitness Area, Westridge, Ryde

Wight Leisure had been exploring the possibility of providing a large health and fitness centre. Since progression towards a Not for Profit Leisure Trust, funding of £650,000 was now available to Wight Leisure through partnership funding and business borrowing supported by Sport England and capital allocated to Wight Leisure. Westridge had been considered the ideal location because of its existing use, location, and accessibility. There was now an opportunity to take back the restaurant area at Westridge by means of new lease arrangements. However, a transfer of the lease had been agreed with Waltzing Waters (IOW) Limited and discussions had now taken place with Waltzing Waters to surrender the lease back to the Council. Waltzing Waters had indicated that could be agreed but they would wish to improve the security of their existing lease.

During the debate it was moved and seconded that the public and press be excluded from the meeting

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 item no. 55 (c) on the grounds that there was likely to be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 7 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Members were informed as to the nature of the outstanding rent arrears and the cost of putting the property back into repair. Details were given of the possible funding the proposal could attract. Information relating to the proposed lease and surrender was given.

The public and press were then re-admitted to the meeting.

RESOLVED :

THAT discussions with Waltzing Waters and Wight Leisure as indicated in the report be authorised and the Liaison Committee be invited to consider whether there are any Select Committee issues that require consideration

56. LAND ADJOINING NETTLESTONE PRIMARY SCHOOL, NETTLESTONE

The entrance to Nettlestone Primary School was extremely restricted and had been a cause of concern over many years The Council had been in discussions with the landowner immediately adjacent the existing driveway who had offered to sell to the Council part of his property. This would enable the school to formulate a driveway for vehicles together with a new footway leading into the school premises and a proper parking area which would leave room for access to the school playing field. It was noted that planning permission would need to be granted. The cost of acquisition would be contained within the existing budget and the adaptations to this property and works would be part of the Education capital proposal that would be put forward in next year's programme.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Council proceed with this acquisition subject to planning permission being granted.

57. THE FUTURE OF TOURISM SERVICES

Consideration was given to the recommendation of the Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee at its meeting on 13 June 2002 concerning the future organisational arrangements for Tourism Services following the recent Best Value Review. It was noted that the Select Committee were keen to participate in the detailed work and investigation that would be involved.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL :

THAT Tourism Services be externalised to form to a trust or limited company

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Select Committee be requested to work out an implementation plan showing tasks, timescales and reviewing arrangements if the Council agree to externalise Tourism Services;

(ii) THAT the appointment of a “Head of Tourism” be proceeded with once the Council decision with regard to externalisation is known.

58. RURAL BUS SUBSIDY GRANT

The report before members gave details of the possible award of contracts for the provision for local bus services subsidised by the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant and the levels of RBSG that would be available for the next two financial years. The Portfolio Holder informed members that he was unable to support the recommendation as set out in the report to accept the Southern Vectis combination bid (Group Tender) for a two-year period for £142,000 in 2002/3 and £167,000 in 2003/04. He believed the contract should only be for the period of one year.

An early decision was necessary in order for the publication of timetables and to meet deadlines imposed by the Traffic Commissioner.

The Executive agreed to defer a decision on the award of contracts so that further negotiations in respect of the combination bid (Group Tender) received from Southern Vectis could be undertaken. The negotiations were to include the possibility of the combination bid (Group Tender) being made available for a one-year term and reconsideration being given to the modification of some routes and timings.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be deferred until the next meeting of the Executive

CHAIRMAN