THE “CALL IN”PERIOD FOR THESE DECISIONS EXPIRES AT 5.00 PM ON THURSDAY, 17 OCTOBER 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, 8 OCTOBER 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, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr H Rees, Mrs J L Wareham

 

Apologies :

 

Mrs B Lawson

 

Also present non-voting :

 

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr M J Cunningham, Miss H L Humby, Mr P D Joyce, Mr A J Mundy, Mr I R Stephens, Mr R A Sutton

 

 

 


117.          MINUTES

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 24 September 2002 be confirmed.

 

118.          DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

Interests were declared in the following matters:

 

Mrs J L Wareham declared a personal interest in Minute 120 – Byelaw to Regulate the Use of Skateboards

 

Mr R R Barry declared a personal interest in Minute 121 - Proposed Retail Development Scheme South Street, Newport and Relocation of Newport Fire Station, as he knew an individual connected with the application and had received hospitality.

 

Mr D J Knowles declared a personal interest in Minute 121 - Proposed Retail Development Scheme South Street, Newport and Relocation of Newport Fire Station, as he knew an individual connected with the application

 

119.          THE DEPUTY LEADER

 

(a)               The Corporate Plan 2002 – 5 Achieving Excellence Through Teamwork

 

Members were advised that the Corporate Plan had been updated to reflect feedback received from consultation and brief details of the changes were given. The Plan’s overall vision was to “improve Island Life” and this would be achieved through six strategic aims. The Corporate Plan would be supplemented by an Annual Action Statement, which would set out the in-year priorities and delivery targets.

 

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL :

 

THAT the Corporate Plan be approved

 

(b)               3 Monthly Update On Progress of Current Year Best Value

 

Members had requested regular updates on the progress of Best Value Reviews that were currently taking place.  Details were received of the Best Value Reviews on Youth and Community Service, Connecting with the Public and Community Development. 

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the report be noted

 

(c)               Proposed Programme of Best Value Review For Future Years

 

Consideration was given to the order of priority for the future programme of Best Value reviews subject to the outcome of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment.  The topics had been put forward using feed-back from the Liaison Committee and Select Committee workshops, the Directors Group, Community Strategy consultation, and the Performance Indicator traffic lights. They also reflected the priorities that had been developed in the Corporate Plan. The precise issues for each review would be decided by the relevant Appraisal Group, but would be as broad as possible so that crosscutting aspects could be considered.  These issues, in priority order were :

 

·         Procurement

·         Planning

·         Drug-related crime

·         Transport

·         Education Inclusion

·         Homelessness

·         Fire service training

 

It was indicated that the Procurement and Planning reviews would be initiated this autumn. It was noted that the title of Drug-related crime should be altered to Alcohol and Drug related Crime to more accurately reflect the issues it would cover.

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the prioritised order of Best Value reviews above be agreed, subject to any amendments following the outcome of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment

 

120.          BYELAW TO REGULATE THE USE OF SKATEBOARDS

 

Members were informed that there was a byelaw in operation in the former South Wight Borough that regulated the use of skateboards so as they were not ridden to the danger, nuisance or annoyance of persons lawfully using the footway or carriageway.  The Council had been approached by Hampshire Constabulary to draft and adopt a byelaw to regulate the use of skateboards on any footways and carriageways throughout the Isle of Wight.  In order for this to be achieved the existing byelaw covering South Wight would need to be revoked and an island wide byelaw could be adopted.

 

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL :

 

(i)                  THAT the draft byelaw be formally made and the proper officer of the council be authorized to seal and date the byelaw on behalf of the Council

 

(ii)                THAT the byelaw be advertised in accordance with recommendations of the DTLR and then after the period of deposit sent to the deputy prime minister for possible confirmation

 

(iii)               THAT the Council develop in consultation with the Police, proposals for byelaws prohibiting the skateboarding in areas identified as having a particular problem

 

121.          PROPOSED RETAIL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME SOUTH STREET, NEWPORT AND RELOCATION OF NEWPORT FIRE STATION

 

A letter had been received from the developer, which requested the deferment of the item in order for further negotiations to take place.  However members believed that discussion of the matter would not preclude further negotiations with the developer from proceeding.

 

The Executive were reminded that at its meeting on 27 November 2001 that it was resolved that the Council enter into discussions with Buchanan Land Holdings Ltd to acquire Newport Fire Station.  The developer had now asked the Council to make a financial contribution towards the replacement Station.  Members considered whether or not negotiations for the land should continue on this basis and the main issues were outlined.  Members were advised that there were no specific capital finance regulations that would apply to these proposals, so a sale would generate a capital receipt which would be useable, however any expenditure on a new Fire Station would need to be met from capital resources. The report confirmed that there was no allocation or capital bid approved for this project at the present time.

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the Council continue to press its negotiating position on the basis that no capital contribution from the Council could be allocated towards this scheme.

 

122.          LEASE ARRANGEMENTS FOR NEW HEALTH AND FITNESS CENTRE, WESTRIDGE, RYDE

 

Mr R A Sutton declared a personal interest as a board member of West Wight Sports Centre

 

Mr R Mazillus declared a personal interest as he and his wife jointly held shares in Tesco PLC

 

Consideration was given to new lease arrangements of providing a large community health and fitness centre at Westridge, Ryde.  A brief history of the site was given and the proposed facilities were outlined. Members were advised that the revenue income to the Council would be reduced initially under the new agreement with Wight Leisure over a period of five years, but the scheme would bring an inward investment to the area of some £650,000.  The Council would also be required to write-off the arrears of rent owed under the lease of the restaurant.

 

During the debate it was moved and seconded that the public and press be excluded from the meeting

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public and press be excluded from the meeting for part of this item, on the grounds that there was likely to be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

 

Members discussed a number of issues including the outstanding rent arrears and detailed questions were asked relating to the assignment of the lease.

 

The public and press were then re-admitted to the meeting.

 

RESOLVED :

 

(i)                  THAT the Council be authorised to grant a new lease to Waltzing Waters (Isle of Wight) Limited on the terms set out in the confidential paper attached to the report

            and that the existing lease of the restaurant area be surrendered

 

(ii)                THAT the Council write off the rent arrears as set out in the confidential paper as attached to the report

 

(iii)               THAT the Council request Wight Leisure to bring forward proposals for the development of the Health, Fitness and Well-being Center at Westridge in conjunction with all its proposals for Externalisation

 

(iv)              THAT the new leases to be granted at Westridge will exclude security of tenure

 

123.          FORWARD PLAN

 

In order to update the Executive, each Portfolio Holder gave an oral summary of the current work being undertaken within their remit and identified items due to be reported in the near future to the Executive.

 

124.          MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME

 

A Questions was put to the Chairman as follows :

 

Mr J Effemey asked a question in relation to Members allowances and attendance at meetings (MQ71/02)

 

A copy of the question and reply given is contained in the Members' Question Register.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN