THE “CALL IN” PERIOD FOR THESE DECISIONS EXPIRES AT 5.00 PM ON FRIDAY, 2 MAY 2003 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 WEDNESDAY, 23 APRIL 2003 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present : Mrs S A Smart (Chairman), Mr R R Barry, Mrs T M Butchers, Mr J H Fleming, Mr E Fox, Mr P G Harris, Mr G S Kendall, Mr D J Knowles, Mr H Rees, Mrs J L Wareham

Also present non-voting :

Mr J F Howe, Mrs M A Jarman, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr R A Sutton

1. MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 9 April 2003 be confirmed.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations received at this stage

3. URGENT BUSINESS – STUDENTS FROM HONG KONG PLACED AT THE EAST DENE CENTRE

The Leader informed the Executive that the Council were first aware of the placement of students from Hong Kong two days before the students were due to arrive. The White House Guardianship had acted on behalf of approximately 30 boarding schools that had refused to accept returning students from Hong Kong unless they had been in the UK for at least 10 days. A number of meetings and visits had taken place between the Head of Community Development, the Isle of Wight’s Consultant in Health Protection and the management of East Dene Centre.

The Leader confirmed that the Council had given a number of interviews and press briefings in order to reassure the public and confirmed that assurances had been given that the students would remain on site at all times. The situation would continue to be monitored. She added that the quarantining of students in this way was against Government policy.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted

4. PERFORMANACE MANAGEMENT REPORT – BUDGET MONITOR TO THE END OF MARCH 2003 ANDFORMAT FOR FURTURE QUARTELY REPORTS

Members were informed of the latest projections of expenditure against budget for the previous financial year. The report detailed spending pressures that could not be managed within existing service cash limits and any corrective action that may be required. An update was given of the present situation of funds held in the General Reserve and particulars of capital spending against budget were summarised.

The Executive considered the future format for the quarterly performance monitoring reports. The introduction of a quarterly report covering all elements of the Councils performance management framework had been agreed as part of the Council's actions following the recent Comprehensive Performance Assessment. It was accepted that the format would develop overtime and that the first Quarterly Performance Monitoring Review’s would be more variable as the system settled down.

RESOLVED :

THAT the budget monitor be noted and the format for Quarterly Performance Monitoring Review as set out in Appendix B attached to the report be approved for an initial 6 months

5. RACE EQULAITY SCHEME; APRROVAL SUBJECT TO CONSULTATION

The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 placed a duty on public authorities to eliminate unlawful discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and promote good relations between people of different racial groups. This duty included the development of a Race Equality Scheme. Members considered the draft Race Equality Scheme before an extensive internal and external consultation was undertaken prior to the final adoption of the scheme.

The implications of the scheme were given and the benefits were outlined. Members were advised that the Race Equality Scheme was an essential element of the Equality and Diversity Strategy as adopted by the Council in 2002. Adoption of a scheme was a priority as it was a recommendation of the recent Comprehensive Performance Assessment.

RESOLVED :

THAT the consultation draft be approved and that the Portfolio Holder for Resources be delegated to make amendments to the scheme following consultation, where those changes did not substantially alter the meaning or resource implications of the draft scheme.

6. PROCUREMENT OF A DESTINATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR ISLE OF WIGHT TOURISM

The Portfolio Holder for Resources presented the report for the purchase of an electronic Destination Management System. The Isle of Wight Tourism currently operated a “call centre” to handle potential visitor enquiries and booking and to organise the distribution of the marketing and promotional brochures.

The purchase of the new system was necessary if the Island was to be a part of the England net project that was being led by the English Tourism Council. This aimed to provide customers with easier access and more informed choices about holidays in England. The purchase of a Destination Management System had the strong backing of the Island Tourist Industry Association. It was also recommended by the Project Board, which had been set up in accordance with the Council’s agreed protocol on ICT projects.

The total cost of the Destination Management System over the first 5 years of its installation would be £734,097. Isle of Wight Tourism had the ability to fund in the revenue costs of the system from year 2 onwards from within its existing cash limited budget. The major issue was resourcing the costs of the first year, which would include the initial capital costs and were estimated to be £277,116. Details of grant funding were given.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the procurement of the electronic Destination Management System for Isle of Wight Tourism be supported.

(ii) THAT the use of £120,000 from the strategic e-government fund towards the purchase of the system be supported

(iii) THAT the use of the balance of Isle of Wight Tourism 2002/03 budget to fund the purchase of the system be supported

7. DELEGATED DECISIONS

The Portfolio Holder for Education and Lifelong Learning advised the Executive that she had recently taken a decision concerning contracts for the management of Shanklin and Ryde Theatres.

CHAIRMAN