THE "CALL IN"PERIOD FOR THESE DECISIONS EXPIRES AT 5.00 PM ON THURSDAY, 4 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, 25 SEPTEMBER 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 B Lawson, Mr M O Morgan Huws, Mr H Rees

Apologies :

Mrs M A Jarman

Also Present (non voting) :

Mr M J Cunningham, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr A J Mundy, Mrs E Oulton, Mr R A Sutton

42. MINUTES

RESOLVED :
THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2001 be confirmed.

43. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Mr R A Sutton declared an interest in Minute 46 (a) in relation to the Social Services and Housing : Financial Position (2001-2002).

44. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Mrs J Wade, Chairman of SEGAP, asked the Chairman a question relating to Prestwood Farm.(PQ20/01). A copy of the question and reply given is contained in the Public Question Register.

45. PORTFOLIO HOLDER - RESOURCES

(a) Management Structure
The Portfolio Holder indicated that the report on the first stage of reorganisation proposed by the Acting Head of Paid Service had been considered the previous day by the Resources Select Committee. The Select Committee had recommended that the arrangements be adopted as from 1 October 2001.
The proposed management arrangements assumed that there would be four Strategic Directors, with one of these also taking on the role of Head of Paid Service. A number of service areas would transfer Directorship. It was intended that the second phase would involve combining ceratin service areas and this would be reported to the Executive in late October/early November 2001.
The principles behind the proposed arrangements were outlined by the Acting Head of Paid Service
RESOLVED :
(i) THAT the proposed management arrangements be operated with effect from 1 October 2001;
(ii) THAT a further report be brought back before the Executive in late October/early November 2001 covering the next steps of the management restructuring.
(b) Prestwood Grange Farm, Smallbrook Lane, Ryde
Members were reminded of the remedial action which was proposed following the finding of maladministration against the Council by the Local Government Ombudsman in relation to Prestwood Grange Farm, Ryde. The Portfolio Holder indicated that although the Council could pay the residents compensation the problems associated with the livestock operations would still remain. The long term solution therefore appeared to be the acquisition of all or part of the farm by the Council.
The Executive was advised, by way of a confidential appendix to the Portfolio Holder's report, of the financial details involved in the ongoing negotiations. Taking into account the advice received from the District Valuer and the Council's agent it appeared that the Council had no option but to consider utilising its compulsory purchase powers to acquire the necessary land.
The Director of Corporate Services indicated that all the legal and financial details involved in the Council undertaking such action would be presented to the Executive before any formal resolution was passed.
Members also had circulated at the meeting a letter from the Chairman of SEGAP which raised a number of issues and seeking involvement in any future discussions. The Portfolio Holder indicated that he would liaise with SEGAP.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Council proceeds with the compulsory acquisition of part of the dairy complex and a further report be brought back with a view to a formal resolution being passed.
(c) Final Accounts 2000-2001
The Executive considered the Council's final accounts for 2000-2001. Members were reminded that they had previously considered indicative figures at the meeting held on 24 July 2001. The Portfolio Holder also reported that the audit of accounts would commence on 16 October 2001 and the District Auditor's report would be issued by 31 December 2001.
The Director of Finance and Information, in response to Members questions, expanded on some of the details included in the Statement of Accounts relating to the Pension Fund. He also indicated that to accord with the revised Regulations the final accounts had to be approved by full Council.
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO FULL COUNCIL :
THAT the Statement of Accounts for the financial year ended 31 March 2001 be approved.
(d) Samuel Whites Industrial Estate, Cowes
The Portfolio Holder indicated that since the preparation of the report on the possible disposal of the Samuel White's Industrial Estate, Cowes a number of issues had been raised with him that required further clarification. He believed that it would be appropriate for the Executive to visit the Estate before any consideration was given to its future.
Members raised the need for any decision on the site not to be taken in isolation to other development proposals in the surrounding area.
RESOLVED :
THAT the matter be deferred to enable a site visit to take place prior to consideration of the matter at the 16 October 2001 meeting.

46. PORTFOLIO HOLDER - SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING

(a) Social Services and Housing : Financial Position (2001-2002)
(Mr R A Sutton declared an interest in this item and left the meeting)
The Portfolio Holder referred to the projected overspend in the Social Services and Housing 2001/2002 budget of �1.3m which was reported at the 12 July 2001 meeting of the Executive. As the result of a series of measures taken by the Director of Social Services and Housing, after consultation with the Portfolio Holder and the Chairman of the Select Committee, the overspend was likely to be in the region of �570,000.
The Executive were made aware of the issues involved in bed blocking, nursing homes, foster care and residential care, home care, pressures on staff and managers and homelessness. It was noted that difficulties in expenditure on health and social care was a national problem and a strong case by all the relevant agencies was being made to the Government.
RESOLVED :
THAT the projected overspend for 2001/02 of �570,000 be noted and a further update be submitted later in the financial year.
(b) Action Plan following the Independent review of Services and Support to Richard and Robert Turnbull and their Parents on the Isle of Wight
The Portfolio Holder introduced the Action Plan produced by the statutory agencies that were involved in providing care for Richard and Robert Turnball and their parents. The Plan was based on the recommendations contained in the Independent Report following the death of the two young men in October 1998.
The Action Plan had been considered by the Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee at its meeting on 5 September 2001. The Select Committee would receive a further report when all the recommendations had been implemented.
RESOLVED :
THAT the draft Action Plan be accepted and its implementation agreed.

47. MEMBERS QUESTION TIME

Questions were put to the Spokesperson for Public, Environmental Protection and Waste as follows :-
Mr J Effemey in relation to problems with sewers in the Cowes area (MQ08/01)
Mr G Price in relation to the disposal of old refrigeration equipment (MQ09/01)
A copy of the questions and replies are contained in the Members Question Register.

CHAIRMAN