THE "CALL IN"PERIOD FOR THESE DECISIONS EXPIRES AT 5.00 PM ON THURSDAY, 16 AUGUST 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, 7 AUGUST 2001 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mrs S A Smart (Chairman), Mr R R Barry, Mr J A Bowker, Mr E Fox, Mrs M A Jarman, Mrs B Lawson, Mr H Rees, Mrs J White

Apologies :

Mr P G Harris, Mr M O Morgan Huws

Also present non-voting :

Mr M J Cunningham, Mr R G Mazillius, Mrs M J Miller, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A J Tiltman

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2001 be confirmed.

24. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Interests were declared in the following matters:

Mrs J White declared a non pecuniary interest in Minute 26 - Developing Housing Associations.

Mrs B Lawson declared a non pecuniary interest in Minute 26 - Developing Housing Associations.

Mr J A Bowker declared a non pecuniary interest in Minute 26 - Developing Housing Associations.

25. PORTFOLIO HOLDER - AGENDA 21 AND COUNTRYSIDE MATTERS

(a) The Planning Users Concordat

The Director of Environment Services outlined the main issues relating to the Planning Users Concordat which included :

Pre-application discussions;

Pre-application consultations;

Agreement on a timetable for complex applications;

Submission of the application and subsequent details;

Consultation and community involvement;

Decision making;

Planning Obligations;

Planning appeals;

Implementation, monitoring and enforcement.

Mrs B Lawson, the portfolio holder, told members that a meeting with the appropriate members and officers should be arranged to work out a formula that would involve members of the public speaking at the Development Control Committee. It was felt that a time limit should be set for members of the public.

The Director advised the Executive that public speaking at the Development Control Committee would have to be looked at in depth to make sure that all those who wanted to make representations would have the facility to do so. It would be essential to avoid successful complaints of maladministration. He believed that delegations to officers may need to be increased if public speaking was implemented so as not to jeopardise achieving the eight week national target for the determination of planning applications.

Members believed that by adopting the Planning Users Concordat as policy for best practice it would help create an effective planning system.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Isle of Wight Council adopt the Planning Users Concordat as recommended by the Local Government Association.

(b) Policy in Respect of Publicity of Planning Applications

The Director of Environment Services advised members that a formal policy in respect of advertising planning applications should be agreed. The responsibility for publicising the vast majority of applications fell to the Local Planning Authority. These included publishing a notice in a local newspaper, posting a notice on site and notifying neighbours and adjoining property owners.

Mrs B Lawson, the portfolio holder, felt that the typeface used in the local paper was too small and asked if a larger font could be used. She also believed that the cost for advertising and neighbour notification should be investigated.

Members felt that the advertisement for planning applications in the local paper was not bold enough and believed that discussions with the editor might overcome some of those problems. It was also thought that a feature could be placed in Wight Insight informing members of the public where to find advertisements for planning applications. The Director undertook to pursue these points and suggestions.

Following comments made by the Local Government Ombudsman in connection with a complaint about development in Ryde, members felt that the Council, as the Local Planning Authority, should have a policy in respect of notification.

RESOLVED :

THAT the present arrangements be continued and incorporate them into an agreed policy.

26. DEVELOPING HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS

Mr J Bowker, the portfolio holder of Social Services and Housing, reported on the outcome of the selection of new development partners. It had become increasingly difficult for small Housing Associations to undertake cost effective schemes as they were less able to secure loans at preferential rates. At a meeting of the Island's Combined Housing Partnership it was agreed that the Island needed to increase the number of Housing Associations who were able to undertake housing developments.

Over 20 Associations had asked to be considered as partners and of those 7 had completed the tasks set. A Panel comprising of the Portfolio Holder, the Chairman of the Select Committee, the Director of Social Services and Housing and the Head of Housing had been set up.

Six Associations were invited to attend and give a presentation. Arising from this two were selected, Swaythling and Parchment Housing Associations. Both had worked on the Isle of Wight and were prepared to invest some of their own reserves to help develop new schemes.

Members were reminded that the new target rents were being set by national formulae, based on local house prices and average wages. This was having a much bigger impact on the Island than elsewhere in the Region. Mr Bowker had met with the Chief Executives of the Housing Associations and had asked them to write to the Government and point out that the Isle of Wight did not have the same degree of affluence as some other parts of the South East Region.

Members believed that by increasing the number of Associations who were approved as development partners on the Isle of Wight, it would enable the Council to produce innovative and cost efficient homes that would contribute towards meeting its housing needs.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the selection of Swaythling and Parchment Housing Associations as development partners for the Council be approved.

(ii) THAT both Associations be invited to join the Combined Housing Partnership.

(iii) THAT both Associations be invited to develop schemes in line with the Council's Housing Investment Strategy for the Approved Development Programme in 2002-03.

27. APPOINTMENTS TO OUTSIDE BODIES

The Leader of the Council advised members that there was a need to appoint a number of representatives to specified outside bodies. There were still some outstanding positions to be filled and the list would be re-circulated to all members of the Council. If the vacancies were still not filled the Town and Parish Councils would be invited to apply for the positions.

RESOLVED :

THAT the following appointments be made :

CHAIRMAN