THE "CALL IN"PERIOD FOR THESE DECISIONS EXPIRES AT 4.30 PM ON TUESDAY, 8 MAY2001. 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 THURSDAY, 26 APRIL 2001 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mrs S A Smart (Chairman), Mr R R Barry, Mrs T M Butchers, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr P G Harris, Mr A D Hollands, Miss H L Humby, Mr G S Kendall, Mr G A Nichols, Mr R A Sutton

Apologies :

Mr H Rees

Also present non-voting :

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr D T Yates

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 19 April 2001 be approved as a correct record subject to an amendment in Minute 314 (e) to be replaced with:

Mr Kendall asked the Chairman a series of questions relating to the decisions taken at the Council meeting held on 11 April 2001 concerning chief officer's pay. He expressed particular concern at wider staff morale and the cost of funding any pay award in relation to the overall budget of the Council. The Chief Executive responded to some of the points made.

The Chairman replied that she would give him a full reply, although he should note that the decision made was taken democratically.

316. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Interests were declared in the following matters:

Mr A D Hollands - a pecuniary interest in Education and Social Services matters as a contractor for a number of transport contracts for those departments. It was accepted that this was a standing declaration.

317. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Lea Appointments to School Governing Bodies

The Director of Education and Community Development presented a number of vacancies and nominations for the LEA appointments to Governing Bodies.

RESOLVED :

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

Osborne Middle School - Mr C Dotton

Medina High School - Mrs V Taylor

Sandown High School - Mrs D Gardiner

318. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENT SERVICES

Storm Damage

At its meeting last week the Executive asked for a report to be brought back for discussion prior to further expenditure being incurred.

Members were advised that the unsafe material which had accumulated behind Jungle Jims had now been removed. A meeting had been held last week between the Council , High Point Rendal, the Council's insurers and loss adjusters who advised that further material in the vicinity should be removed on a without prejudice basis. Members were informed that the Land Registry was helping to clarify ownership but this could take many months. A meeting had been arranged to take place next week with owners of the affected properties to advise them of the current position.

Members considered the report which requested an additional �90,000 to undertake the advised work and an extra �15,000 for catch fencing and drainage to make the area stable. Advice was given that if the land was found to be owned by the Council, then the costs might be recoverable under the Belwin Rules, or through the Council's insurance. The position could not be resolved until land ownership had been established. If costs were not recoverable through the Belwin Rules or insurance, they would need to be met from council reserves.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the expenditure of an additional �90,000 on landslide clearance works in Sandown Bay and a sum of �15,000 on catch fencing and drainage be approved.

(ii) THAT the current position with respect to Bonchurch landslip and the Undercliff Drive be noted.

(iii) THAT a report from the Insurance Manager giving details liability issues be brought to the Executive.

319. MEMBERS' QUESTION TIME

Mr Cunningham asked if the Leader agreed that there should be a report on the effectiveness of subsidies paid by the Authority to local bus operations, in particular, relating to the level of use and punctuality of the service and whether these figures should be compared with similar bus operations. The Leader replied that she shared his concern and suggested he invited such a report be submitted in conjunction with the chairman of the appropriate select committee. She added that such matters would be covered in the Best Value Review scheduled for 2002/3 and that Mr Cunningham should raise his concerns relating to the other issues with the Transport Manager.

Mr Kendall asked the Leader whether she agreed that the Island should consider seeking National Park Status and if so would she request a full analysis in terms of the environmental, economic, social and political impact. He felt that National Park status would unlock inward investment and promote tourism but was aware it could lead to increased national controls. He believed that the Island was already constrained by its special designations and that National Park status would give an opportunity for grant assistance from Europe. The Leader gave a detailed answer and she although she believed that such status would have some benefits, she believed that the influence that this authority would have would be limited and pointed out that there had been strong opposition to such designations in other parts of the country. She suggested that the Liaison Committee could be requested to investigate the cross cutting issues involved. With regard to receiving grant assistance from Europe the Leader informed the Executive of a number of grants the Island had already received from the European Social Fund and explained that these were larger than in many other authorities in the south east.

CHAIRMAN