THE "CALL IN"PERIOD FOR THESE DECISIONS EXPIRES AT 4.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY, 18 APRIL 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 THURSDAY, 5 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

Also Present (non voting) :

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr A J Mundy, Mrs C T G Webb

Apologies :

Mr H Rees

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 29 March 2001 be approved as a correct record.

293. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Interests were declared in the following matters:

Mrs T M Butchers declared a non pecuniary interest in Minute 298 - Best Value Review of Control and Communications.

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.

294. URGENT BUSINESS

The Chairman agreed to two items of urgent business.

(a) Oral Update on land slippage

Members were updated on the slippage at Undercliff Drive, St Lawrence. There were three sections of land that were affected, Woodlands, the Caravan Park and Beauchamp House. A borehole would be taken by a consulting engineer to find the extent of the slippage and to ascertain if, there was the possibility of sinking piles into the clay. There may be a need to change the priorities in the highways capital programme.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

(b) Beach Cafes - Shanklin Seafront

The Executive considered a report which had been deferred from the last meeting. The report addressed the future of two cafes which were at risk from cliff instability following the recent severe winter weather. A cliff risk assessment had been undertaken by High-Point Rendel in January 2001. The estimated cost of the works for Journey's End was approximately �40 - �45,000 . It was recommended that the Oasis Café should be removed and timber catch fencing provided. The Director of Environment Services outlined the works that would need to be undertaken and advised members that consideration was being given to serving Prohibition Notices on both buildings to prevent further use pending completion of the works.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT cliff trimming works be undertaken behind the Journey's End Café at an estimated cost of �40-�45,000, and the cost of the work to be charged from within the Bellwin claim sum for this year.

(ii) THAT negotiations be entered into with the occupier of the Oasis Café to require the removal of the building and a catch fence to be erected and the cost of the work also be included within the Bellwin claim.

(iii) THAT Prohibition Notices be served or such other steps taken by the appropriate Directors within their delegated powers to prevent the use of both buildings pending completion of the cliff stabilisation works at Journey's End Café, Hope Beach and the removal of the Oasis Café.

295. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING

(a) Welfare to Work for Disabled - Joint Investment Plan

Members were advised that Local Authorities were required to produce Welfare of Work for Disabled People Joint Investment Plans. These were for implementation from April 2001.

The aim of the Plan was to improve services that supported disabled people to get into, and stay in work, or to move closer to the work world. A group would be established to bring other groups of disabled people together to feed into the Plan as further priorities were identified and built into a rolling Action Plan. The financial implications were outlined although outcomes of bids for funding were not yet known.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Welfare to Work for Disabled People Joint Investment Plan be approved for implementation from April 2001 to be met from within existing budgets.

(b) Learning Disability Services - Joint Investment Plan

Members were advised that Local Authorities were required to produce Learning Disability Services Joint Investment Plans for implementation from April 2001.

The Plan was the result of developmental work done over the last year which had been co-ordinated by the Joint Partnership Planning Group for learning disability services. A number of events had been held to involve service users, family and professional carers. The financial implications were outlined although outcomes of bids for funding were not yet known.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Joint Investment Plan for Learning Disability Services be approved for implementation from April 2001 to be met from within existing budgets.

296. JULIA MARGARET CAMERON TRUST

The joint report of the Director of Education and Community Development and the Director of Finance and Information on the Julia Margaret Cameron Trust was presented.

Members were reminded that, at the Policy Committee meeting held on 16 February 2000, a one year interest free loan of �10,000 had been approved for the Julia Margaret Cameron Trust. The Trust employed an independent consultant to provide a Business Plan and the consultant's principal recommendations were outlined. At present there was no financial provision for additional grant aid to the organisation. It was proposed to extend the existing loan by a further three months to allow the Business Plan to be circulated.

RESOLVED :

THAT the existing loan period be extended by a further 3 months to enable the Council to consider the Trust's response to the consultant's plan.

297. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE SERVICES

(a) The Modernising Agenda

Members were asked to consider the detailed recommendations which had arisen from the meetings of the Modernising Panel, and to make recommendations to the Council for the adoption of Executive arrangements to be operative from the start of the new Council.

The Director advised members that local authorities were required to notify the DETR of its proposals by June 2001, but as the Government had not as yet put secondary legislation into place, the timetable might need to be changed.

Members supported the proposals with one amendment so that responsibility for the JRIU should fall within the portfolio of Resources rather than Social Services and Housing.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL :

(i) THAT the Constitution be adopted and that the Council operate Executive arrangements as set out in that Constitution with effect from 20 June 2001, or, if later, from the earliest date at which this becomes possible.

(ii) THAT the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to submit a copy of the Council's Executive arrangements to the DETR and to undertake publicity of those arrangements as required by the Local Government Act 2000.

(iii) THAT the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Leader, be authorised to make minor amendments to the document prior to submission to the DETR including that the JRIU should become part of the Resources Portfolio.

(b) Review of the Parish Protocol

Members were reminded that the Parish Protocol had been signed on 15 April 1998. During October and November 1999 views on the operation of the protocol had been sought from the Town and Parish Councils. Of the 27 consulted, 14 had responded. It was noted that the Rural Areas White Paper might require amendment to the Protocol in the future.

There had been a slight change to the procedure for dealing with planning issues. If the Planning Committee made a decision contrary to their views, the reasons for this were now sent to Town and Parish Councils.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Parish Protocol be adopted but that it be amended to reflect the fact that the Planning Officer's report is sent to Parish and Town Councils when the Planning Committee make a decision contrary to the views of the Parish or Town Council.

(ii) THAT all Officers be reminded of the need to observe the protocol.

(iii) THAT a list of key contacts be revised and issued on a yearly basis.

(c) Elected Member Training Policy and Plans

The Director told members that a Training Champions Group had been formed and represented a partnership between officers and members. Priority training areas for the new Council had been identified and members were asked to approve the Training Policy, Strategy and Code of Practice, together with the Elected Member Induction Calender and Elected Member Training Plan 2001-2002. The Training Policy and Plans would be given to all prospective candidates for the local elections.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Training Policy and Plans be agreed.

(d) Asset Management Best Value Report

Due to members not receiving the Asset Management Best Value Report it was suggested that this item should be deferred.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Asset Management Best Value Report be deferred to the Executive meeting due to be held on 12 April 2001.

298. BEST VALUE FUNDAMENTAL REVIEW OF CONTROL AND COMMUNICATIONS

(Mrs T M Butchers declared a non pecuniary interest in this item and took no part in the discussion thereon).

The Chief Fire Officer presented his report on Best Value Fundamental Review of Communications and Control. The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, together with all fire brigades in England and Wales, had been instructed within Statutory Instrument 3251 to perform a best value review of communication and control.

Four possible options were outlined and various aspects of each option were discussed. The spokesperson for fire and emergency planning gave a brief overview of the report.

After detailed discussion in which the Chief Fire Officer undertook to explore the potential for a Regional Communication and Control Centre on the Island it was :

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL :

(i) THAT for the time being the Communications and Control Service continue to be provided by the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service Fire Control Centre located at Newport Fire Station under the auspices of the Isle of Wight Council with full authority, control and influence continuing to be exerted over all Fire Service provision on the Island by the Isle of Wight Fire Authority and the Chief Fire Officer.

(ii) THAT the improvement listed in the Improvement Plan for Option 1 be pursued subject to any items that required additional funding only being progressed if funds are available from the sum approved for Best Value initiatives and Information Technology in the budget.

(iii) THAT members endorse that the Control and Communications Fundamental Review has been exposed to all reasonable aspects of Best Value.

(iv) THAT the Best Value Review be identified as a key decision.

299. MEMBERS' QUESTION TIME

Miss H L Humby asked if extra funding would be available for Tourism to help contain the expenses of the foot and mouth outbreak.

The Chairman replied that it was premature at this stage to create a contingency fund, but that the Director of Finance and Information be expected to look at the position across all Directorates as soon as that became practicably possible.

Mr A D Hollands asked the Chairman if anything could be done about the quality of sound in Committee Room 1.

The Chairman replied that it was being looked in to.

Mr R A Sutton asked why social services had withdrawn provision at Madeira House, Freshwater without notice to local members.

The Chairman replied she would investigate.

Mr G S Kendall asked whether a working party could be established to address capital priorities as a result the recent adverse weather conditions on the Island.

The Chairman suggested that the Director of Finance and Information report on capital priorities be considered first at an informal meeting of the Executive before bringing forward for decision.

CHAIRMAN