THE "CALL IN"PERIOD FOR THESE DECISIONS EXPIRES AT 5.00 PM ON THURSDAY, 6 DECEMBER 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 27 NOVEMBER 2001 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mrs S A Smart (Chairman), Mr R R Barry, Mr E Fox, Mr P G Harris, Mr H Rees, Mrs J White

Apologies :

Mr J A Bowker, Mrs M A Jarman, Mrs B Lawson, Mr M O Morgan Huws



Also present non-voting :

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr A C Coburn, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J Effemey, Mr A J Mundy, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A A Taylor, Mr A F Tiltman

87. MINUTES

RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2001 be confirmed.

88. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations declared at this stage.

89. URGENT BUSINESS - HEAD OF PAID SERVICE

The Chairman informed the Executive that the item would not be discussed on this occasion.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be withdrawn.

90. PROPOSED RETAIL DEVELOPMENT AT SOUTH STREET AND NEWPORT FIRE STATION

The Executive considered the report of the Portfolio Holders for Resources and Fire and Emergency Planning which proposed that the Council commence negotiations for the sale of Newport Fire Station to Buchanan Land Holdings Limited. Members were advised that the site situated between lower Pyle Street, East Street and South Street was allocated for major shopping development under Policy R3 (c) of the Unitary Development Plan and that the developer had assembled most of the property in the area for a proposed retail development, with the exception of Newport Fire Station and Newport Clinic which was owned by the Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust. It was felt that this proposal would improve the centre of Newport, provide a new fire station and provide employment opportunities. It was recognised that there would be a number of traffic implications that would need to be addressed. Members stressed that approval to the scheme would be subject to receiving a further detailed report and a satisfactory site for the relocation of Newport Fire Station. The Leader confirmed that the details would go before the relevant select committees for discussion. The local member attended and addressed the meeting.
RESOLVED :
(i) THAT the Council enter into detailed discussions with Buchanan Land (Holding) Limited for the grant of a conditional contract to acquire Newport Fire Station.
(ii) THAT the recommended terms for a conditional contract be the subject of a further report to the Executive.

91. PROPOSED NEW HOVERTRAVEL TERMINAL - RYDE ESPLANADE

The Portfolio Holder for Resources indicated that further negotiations were required and the report would be resubmitted at a later date.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be withdrawn.

92. PORTFOLIO HOLDERS - RESOURCES AND EDUCATION AND LIFE LONG LEARNING

(a) Isle of Wight Cricket Academy, Steephill, Ventnor
Members were reminded that in 1996 the Council leased the cricket ground and lodge to Ventnor Cricket Club together with a license for the car park area which immediately adjoined the ground. The Club now wished to build an indoor facility with improved community facilities which would require more land than was included in the lease. Members were advised as to the amount that the Cricket Club had secured by way of grants and the potential of increased revenue by way of income from the community hall facility, car park charges, and visitors to the Club. The local member attended and addressed the meeting.
RESOLVED :
(i) THAT the area leased to Ventnor Cricket Club be extended by some 665 square metres as the additional land required for the Isle of Wight Cricket Academy.
(ii) THAT the value of this land be �8,000 and that this value be offset by a further grant of �8,000.
(b) Julia Margaret Cameron Trust
Members were advised that the Executive approved a 3 month extension of the loan period at its meeting on 5 April 2001 to enable the Council to consider the Trust's response to a Review prepared by independent consultants. This was further extended to 31 December at a meeting of the Executive on 24 July 2001, in order for the completion of a review of the Council's procedures for making loans and grants to take place. It was reported that the review was not anticipated to be completed until the New Year following the setting up of a task group to look into the issue further. Members were advised that there was no budget provision for any payment to the Trust and any financial support in the current financial year would need to be met from revenue, with any further payments forming a commitment against future years' budgets. During the discussion it was suggested that an member with relevant experience may like to take a seat on the board in order to assist the Trust.
RESOLVED :
THAT the existing loan be extended for a further period until 31 March 2002.

93. PORTFOLIO HOLDERS - RESOURCES AND PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND WASTE

(a) Cliff Stabilisation Works, Sandown Bay
The Coastal Manager updated members on the long term strategy regarding coastal and geotechinical problems. Consideration was given to a further release of funds for urgent cliff stabilisation works in Sandown Bay. Approval had already been given for the sum of �482,400 to be released to address cliff stability issues in this area. Members were advised that the precise nature and extent of safety works which had been identified were greater than had been envisaged. Tenders had been sought for stabilisation work on those sections of cliff owned by the Council as well as the cost of undertaking essential works on private land. The safety works advised by the Council's consultants together with site supervision would cost approximately �698,000. The additional costs resulted from estimation of the precise quantities and extent of the work, the cost of consultants fees and contract supervision and a reflection in part of the workload of suitably qualified contractors. Members were reminded that the Council had a statutory duty to minimise the risk to the public caused by hazards on its own land and that failure to implement the works advised by the Council's consultants could result in significant claims against the Council in the event of loss of life or injury or damage to property.
RESOLVED :
THAT the additional expenditure of �215,600 necessary to implement all the short and medium cliff safety measures on Council owned land be approved.
(b) Castlehaven Coast Protection Scheme, Niton Undercliff: Compulsory Purchase of Land at Puckaster Farm
Members were advised that DEFRA approval to the proposed Castlehaven Coast Protection scheme was required. In order to satisfy DEFRA's concern over the environmental impacts it was recommended that twenty acres of coastal land be compulsory purchased from Puckaster Farm, Niton together with rights of access as environmental mitigation. Members were informed that DEFRA had indicated that it may be willing to grant aid the cost of land acquisition (estimated at �20,000). The cost of the compulsory purchase proceedings were estimated at between �2,000-�20,000 depending on whether the Order was contested. A further sum of up to �30,000 was also required for land management measures. The Coastal Manager emphasised the urgency of the scheme and updated members concerning the discussions that had been held with the owner of the land. A letter from the owner was circulated to members during the meeting.
RESOLVED :
THAT the commencement of compulsory purchase proceedings be approved in order to allow the coast protection scheme to proceed, and a further report be brought to Members for a formal decision.

94. PUBLIC SERVICE AGREEMENT

The Leader of the Council informed members that Public Service Agreements were agreements between an individual local authority and the Government which set out the authority's commitments to deliver specific improvements in performance and the Government's promise to reward the improvements achieved. The Isle of Wight Council had been asked to make such an agreement by September 2002. The broad theme for the Public Service Agreement and the arrangements for producing it were outlined in the report.
RESOLVED :
(i) THAT the title of the broad theme for the Public Service Agreement "To improve Island Life" be agreed.
(ii) THAT the timetable set out in Appendix 1 to the report be noted.
(iii) THAT Councillor Harris be nominated a member 'champion' for the Public Service Agreement.

95. MEMBERS' QUESTION TIME

Questions were put to the Chairman as follows :
Mr J Effemey asked two questions, the first relating to the annual grant of West Wight Swimming Pool (MQ22/01) and the other regarding the removal of a plaque at Park Road Recreation ground (MQ23/01).
Copies of the questions and replies given are contained in the Members' Question Register.

CHAIRMAN