THE “CALL IN”PERIOD FOR THESE DECISIONS EXPIRES AT 5.00 PM ON THURSDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2002.  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, 5 NOVEMBER 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

 

Present :

 

Mrs S A Smart (Chairman), Mr R R Barry, Mr E Fox, Mr P G Harris, Mrs M A Jarman, Mr D J Knowles, Mrs B Lawson, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr H Rees, Mrs J L Wareham

 

Also present non-voting :

 

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr B C Buckle, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J F Howe, Mr A J Mundy, Mr R A Sutton, Mr D G Williams

 

 

 


133.        MINUTES

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 22 October 2002 be confirmed.

 

134.        DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

There were no declarations received at this stage.

 

135.        PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

 

Questions were put to the Chairman as follows :

 

Mr L Thom of 2 Highwood Lane, Rookley, Ventnor asked a question concerning the Isle of Wight Music Festival (PQ94/02)

 

Mrs A Hewitt of Padmore Lodge, Beatrice Avenue. East Cowes asked a question concerning the Isle of Wight Music Festival (PQ95/02)

 

Mrs A Hewitt of Padmore Lodge, Beatrice Avenue. East Cowes asked a question concerning the disposal of the land at the Safeway Site, South Street Newport (PQ96/02)

 

Mr Wortham, Brighstone asked a question concerning Wight Leisure (PQ97/02)

 

Copies of the questions and replies given are contained in the Public Question Register.  Questions relating to items on the agenda were answered when the item was debated.

 

136.        REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR RESOURCES

 

(a)               Budget Monitor

 

A report was received which gave an overview of the current year’s revenue spending to the end of September together with a full list of capital projects and spend. Members noted, in particular, the capital programme pressures and current over-commitments. Revenue spending to date was largely in line with budget expectations. Some areas of pressures and savings were identified and members were advised that it was important that all monies kept to their cash limited budgets

 

RESOLVED :

 

(i)                 THAT the budget monitor be noted

 

(ii)               THAT Directors’ recommendations on managing the capital programme over commitment be considered at a future meeting

 

(b)               Disposal of the Freehold Reversion of the Safeway Site, South Street, Newport

 

Consideration was given to the disposal by public auction of the freehold reversion of the former market site in South Street, Newport.  The site was subject to a lease to Safeway Stores Plc that contained a clause to restrict the size of the development.  The development was currently at capacity and the tenant had indicated a willingness to purchase the freehold reversion of the property on a private treaty basis.  However, in order for the market to be fully tested, members believed that the Council’s freehold interest should be offered for sale by public auction with the reserve price to be agreed by the Portfolio Holder for Resources.  Members noted that the property formed part of the Council’s capital disposals programme.  A vote was taken and lost that the report be deferred in order for further discussion to take place.

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the freehold reversion be disposed by public auction.

 

137.        REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR TOURISM AND LEISURE

 

(a)               The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations – Isle of Wight Music Festival

 

Members considered a report that reviewed the two week Isle of Wight Festival and considered a number of options available for the future.  Details were given of the generated income, ticket sales and the expected net cost of the two week festival.  Members were reminded that there was no current budget provision with which to fund this net cost which, might vary adversely due to as yet, unresolved issues. Legal advice relating to obligations in the current contract with Solo, especially with relation to the organising and promotion of any future concerts, and their implications were given. Members discussed a number of options detail in the report together with the evaluated risk.  Members would be provided with final figures as soon as they became available.

 

RESOLVED :

 

(i)                       THAT contract standing orders be waived

 

(ii)                     THAT the Council provide the Seaclose site, local liaison with statutory and voluntary bodies and cross-marketing with the Community Festival for the event, in return for a ticket allocation (for sale) for the launch event, subject to, contractual agreement being reached with Solo in terms, consistent with the report, approved by the Strategic Director of Education and Community Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Leisure

 

(iii)                   THAT a further report be brought back to the Executive detailing progress and any further necessary decisions in January 2003

 

(b)               Externalisation of Wight Leisure - Update

 

An update was received concerning the progress made to date on the externalisation of Wight Leisure to a Not for Profit Distributing Organisation, Wight Leisure Limited.  The Portfolio Holder informed the Executive that since the report had been published the Inland Revenue had confirmed that the NPDO would be exempt from tax and be able to claim charitable status.  A number of informal meetings of the Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee had taken place where a wide range of issues had been discussed, including grants, best value and which services would be transferred.  Members were reminded that the transfer was complex and external legal advice had been obtained.

 

RESOLVED :

 

(i)                 THAT the progress as set out in the report be noted

 

(ii)               THAT a further report, either setting out the decisions which need to be taken by the Executive, or informing members of further progress, be brought to the meeting of the Executive on 3 December 2002

 

138.        MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME

 

Questions were put to the Chairman as follows :

 

Mr Sutton asked questions concerning the Isle of Wight pop festival (MQ75/02)

 

Mr Tiltman asked a question concerning the disposal of the Safeway Site, Newport (MQ76/02)

 

Mr Joyce asked a question concerning a rent review on Islecare 97 (MQ77/02)

 

Mr Joyce asked a question concerning Prestwood Farm (MQ78/02)

 

Copies of the questions and replies given are contained in the Members' Question Register.

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN