THE "CALL IN"PERIOD FOR THESE DECISIONS EXPIRES AT 5PM ON THURSDAY 2 AUGUST 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 24 JULY 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 M J Cunningham, Mr J Effemey, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr A J Mundy, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A T Tiltman, Mr D T Yates

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 12 July 2001 be approved as a correct record.

19. REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR RESOURCES

Audit of the Best Value Performance Plan 2001

The report advised Members that the Council was required to produce a statement responding to the recommendations made by the District Auditor in the audit report on the Best Value Performance Plan. Members believed that the issues involved were complex with some of the recommendations by the District Auditor having far reaching implications. Members were keen to increase their involvement and ownership of Best Value across the authority and discussed how this could be achieved.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the draft statement be agreed.

(ii) THAT the Liaison Committee be requested to consider proposals to ensure Members are involved and take increased ownership of Best Value and report back to the Executive.

20. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Questions were put to the Chairman as follows:

Mrs Rowney of 4B Worsley Road, Godshill in relation to maintenance of grass verges. (PQ13/01)

21. REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR RESOURCES

(a) Budget Process 2002-03 and Initial Forecast

Members gave consideration to the preliminary forecast budget for 2002-03 and the subsequent two years which were based on the continuation of present policies and using assumptions about available resources. This provided, amongst other things that education spending was to increase in line with the education component of SSA. Members discussed setting a guideline Council Tax increase for service planning purposes but believed it was too early as there were still many uncertainties including that of Government support, through the RSG system. With regard to the setting of priorities, Members stressed the need to look across the whole of the Authority and considered priorities would change over time and would be best dealt with when they arose. Members also discussed the proposed budget process and timetable for the forthcoming budget round.

The Chairman of the Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee then circulated his report on the budget implications of increasing waste volumes. This generated debate on controlling the increasing quantities of waste disposed of on the Island and the associated cost of doing so.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the current policy of Education spending increasing in line with the Education component of SSA be continued.

(ii) THAT the budget process and timetable set out in Appendix B of the report be agreed.

(b) Provisional Accounts for 2000-1

Members received the report which set out the Council financial results both revenue, capital and treasury management for the financial year to 31 March 2001. Agreement by Members was required prior to the statutory Statement of Accounts being drawn up. The Statement would then be considered by Members after which the external audit would commence. The report advised Members that Social Services, Leisure and Tourism had exceeded their cash limits and normal practice would have been to reduce the current year by the overspent amount. However, in the context of significant corporate savings it would be possible on this occasion, for the sums as detailed in the report, to be written off. Members noted the Councils excellent performance in the collection of Council Tax and business rates and expressed their thanks to the staff concerned.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the revenue accounts and capital accounts as presented be agreed, subject to any late adjustments, as a basis for the formal Statement of Accounts.

(ii) THAT for this year only, the modest additional overspends by Social Services, Tourism and Leisure be written off.

(c) Proposed Doctors Surgery and Clinic, Cowes High School

Members discussed the possibility of commencing negotiations to build a surgery on Council owned land at Cowes High School. A new health centre would be developed at Cowes to replace the present Cowes Health centre in Consort Road. Members felt that although the site was not ideal, in view of the lack of viable alternatives and the fact the surgery would also serve the Gurnard and Northwood communities it was

RESOLVED :

THAT the Council enter into discussions with the proposed developer of a new surgery at Cowes High School, with detailed terms being the subject of a further report to the Executive.

22. REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

(a) Lea Appointments to School Governing Bodies

The portfolio holder presented the various vacancies and nominations for the LEA appointments to Governing Bodies.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the following be appointed to serve on the undermentioned governing bodies:

Primary

Arreton St George's CE Mr J Carpenter and Mrs G Realey

Barton Mrs D Edwards

Bembridge CE Cllr B Clough

Binstead Mrs A Bateman and Mr I Warlow

Brading CE Cllr P Jarman

Brighstone CE Cllr J Wareham

Broadlea Mr K Pardey and Cllr P Harris

Carisbrooke CE Cllr V J Morey and Mr G Bailey

Chillerton & Rookley Mr R J Westmore, OBE

Cowes Mrs A Leigh

East Cowes Cllr M Lloyd

Godshill Mr R J Westmore, OBE

Gurnard Cllr T Mundy

Nettlestone Mrs J Jones and Mr M Fletcher

Newchurch Mr B Mosdell

Nine Acres Cllr S Smart

Niton Cllr J White and Mrs B Smith

Oakfield CE Mr H Jacobsen

Shalfleet CE Mr C Tappenden

St Boniface CE Mrs M Crawley

St Helens Mrs G Mitchell

St Margaret's CE Mr A Philpot

St Mary's Catholic Mrs L Watling

Totland Cllr J Howe and Mrs J Alexander

Whippingham Cllr C Hancock

Wootton Cllr B Abraham

Yarmouth CE Cllr T Butchers

Middle

Archbishop King Cllr G Price

Bishop Lovett CE Cllr R Barry

Forelands Mr R Atkins

Mayfield CE Mr B Metcalfe

Nodehill Mr K Lacey

Sandham Cllr D Williams and Cllr H Humby

Solent Mr J Groves

Somerton Cllr J Effemey

Swanmore Mr D Potts and Mr P Golding

Trinity CE Mr T Pretty

West Wight Mr P Collinson

High

Carisbrooke Cllr V Morey, Mr P Foster and Mr K Lacey

Cowes Mrs A Leigh and Mr N Rose

Medina Cllr A Mellor and Mrs M Stolworthy

Ryde Cllr R Barry

Sandown Cllr P Jarman

Special

Medina House Cllr J Wareham

Watergate Ms J Yates

(ii) THAT delegated powers be given to the portfolio holder to appoint representatives for LEA Governing Bodies where the vacancy is uncontested.

(b) Julia Margaret Cameron Trust

Members gave consideration to a request for financial assistance to the Trust. At its meeting on 5 April 200,1 the Executive resolved to extend the loan for 3 months so the Trust could respond to a business plan prepared by independent consultants. It was felt that the overall policy of grant assistance needed to be clarified before a decision could be reached. Members were keen to examine alternatives to grant assistance and felt that the loan should be extended for a further period so that up to date accounts and a projected business plan could be supplied by the Trust.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the existing loan be extended for a further period until 31 December 2001

(ii) THAT alternative way of assisting the Trust be investigated

(iii) THAT a decision be taken concerning the future of the grant once the select committee have agreed a procedure regarding loan applications

(iv) THAT a projected business plan and accounts be provided by the Trust.

CHAIRMAN