Mintues

THE “CALL IN”PERIOD FOR THESE DECISIONS EXPIRES AT 5.00 PM ON THURSDAY, 18 APRIL 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, 9 APRIL 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

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

Apologies :

Mrs J White

Also present non-voting :

Mr B E Abraham, Mr A C Bartlett, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J H Fleming, Mr C R Hancock, Mr J F Howe, Mr D J Knowles, Mr A J Mundy, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A A Taylor

169. MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 26 March 2002 be confirmed.

170. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declaration of interests received at this stage.

171. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Questions were put to the Chairman as follows :

Mr A Hollands of 2 Duncroft Gardens, Shanklin in relation to assessment of carers by the Adoption and Fostering Panels (PQ21/02)

Mr D Young of 100 Fishbourne Lane, Fishbourne in relation to coastal erosion in Wootton Creek (PQ22/02)

Mr H Smyth of 1 Alma Cottage, 115 Fishbourne Lane in relation to coastal erosion in Wootton Creek (PQ23/02)

Mr and Mrs Foister of ‘Bodwen’, Woodside, Wootton in relation to coastal erosion in Wootton Creek (PQ24/02)

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

172. BEST VALUE PROCUREMENT REVIEW 2001-2

Members were informed that the review was one of three statutory reviews required on behalf of Her Majesty’s Fire Service Inspectorate. The review focussed on four main areas namely, the current procurement strategy, provision of personal protective equipment for Firefighters, the maintenance of fleet and fleet procurement and a review of occupational health provision currently in the Brigade.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Fire Service Best Value Procurement Review be accepted and the recommendations be actioned.

173. THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL

(a) Members’ Independent Remuneration Panel

Consideration was given to the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel on its review of members’ allowances. The Local Government Act 2000 required local authorities to appoint independent Panel’s to review and/or amend their schemes for the payment of allowances to members. The Panel of three was appointed by the Council. Members were advised that if the Panel’s recommendations were adopted from the date of the next Full Council meeting the additional budget provision required for 2002/2003 would be £68,000. Although the Council was required to consider the recommendations of the Panel it did not have to implement them. However the Panel’s recommendations and the Council’s final determination do have to be published. Members expressed concern at the cost of undertaking the review. Some members believed that allowances should be set nationally and reviewed annually by the Local Government Association.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL :

(i) THAT the report be received and noted at this stage; and that it’s financial recommendations be considered as part of the budget process for the financial year 2003/4

(ii) THAT the other recommendations as set out in paragraph 15 of the report from the independent panel be referred to the Standards Committee for further consideration and recommendation back to the Executive

(b) North-East Coast of the Isle of Wight - Coastal Defence Strategy Study

Members considered the preferred coastal defence policy options for the North-East coast of the Isle of Wight. The report would also be considered by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Flood Defence Committee before submission to DEFRA for approval.

The Council’s centre for the Coastal Environment had developed a strategy plan for the northeast coast of the Island. The aim was to provide sustainable shoreline management solutions which would have little or no impact upon the existing environment in line with the current guidance from DEFRA and in compliance with legislation. Consultation had taken place with steering group members, other interested parties and the general public. A second stage of consultation had taken place once the consultation draft report had been completed together with public exhibitions at Wootton, Ryde and Bembridge. The strategy would be subject to five yearly reviews in order to examine and refine coastal defence policy.

Management Units were then established so that the coastline was divided into14 lengths, each of which required a specific coastal defence option. DETRA required four such options to be considered, namely ‘do nothing but monitor’,’managed retreat’, ‘hold the line’ and ‘advance the line’. The Executive were advised as to several action points in relation to the options. The cost of the Strategy Study would be grant aided by DEFRA.

It was envisaged that an Estuary Management Plan of Wootton Creek would be grant aided by DEFRA. Two local members spoke expressing concern at erosion caused by the ferries.

RESOLVED

(i) THAT the preferred coastal defence policy options for strategic management units 1-14 on the Isle of Wight north-east coast be approved.

(ii) THAT the action points as set out in the report be supported

(iii) THAT the submission of applications for coast protection grant aid for a study of Bembridge Harbour and the East Yar Valley and for a Beach Management Plan for Bembridge frontage be approved

174. REGENERATION IN ISLAND TOWNS: VENTNOR - A CASE STUDY

The Portfolio Holder reminded members that a public consultation exercise in Ventnor had been carried out in order to regenerate the Central Area of the town. This had for many years suffered from a lack of investment and consequent poor environment. The land was held in two principal ownerships (including the Council) and had been the subject of a number of planning consents which had remained unimplemented leading to further dereliction, dumping and vandalism in the area.

Members were given details of the consultation and were made aware of the impact that the Urban White Paper and the Green Paper on Planning would have on potential regeneration schemes. It was anticipated that the process used in relation to Ventnor could be used as a model for such schemes in the future.

It had been suggested that the Council adopt a twin track approach by continuing to work towards an agreed scheme whilst discussions were ongoing with a major food retailer (Aldi) which could bring about an alternative solution to the regeneration of long standing derelict sites.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Council adopt the process set out in paragraph 5 of the report for bringing forward regeneration projects across the Island.

(ii) THAT the Council adopt a twin track approach to regeneration of the Ventnor Central Area by facilitating appropriate land transaction to ensure ongoing opportunities to redevelop central area in partnership with Aldi are not compromised; and reconsidering proposals put forward for public consultation in the light of comments received in respect of the planning and development brief for the area.

175. PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR RESOURCES

(a) Proposed Retail Developments - Freshwater, Ventnor, Shanklin and Sandown

The Council had been approached by Aldi Stores Limited (a discount food retailer) who were proposing an expansion of its retail business to include the Isle of Wight. The Company had acquired property rights to a small number of sites around the Island and wished to acquire adjoining land owned by the Council to progress their scheme. Only a brief outline of ideas were available and detailed proposals including car parking, planning issues and design had yet to be put forward.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Council enter into detailed discussions with Aldi Stores Limited for the grant of a conditional contract to acquire property from the Council

(ii) THAT the recommended terms for a conditional contract be the subject of a further report to the Council’s Executive.

(b) Park and Ride Scheme - Land at Somerton, Cowes

Consideration was given to a proposal to dispose of land at Somerton, Cowes to a private developer for the provision of a park and ride scheme for Cowes. The proposed scheme would provide 90 spaces in a new car park built to a high standard and to include CCTV cameras, floodlights, fencing and cycle racks, at no cost to the Council. A ransom strip was already in the ownership of the company which would prevent development of the council owned land in isolation.

RESOLVED :

THAT the disposal of land be approved on the terms set out in the confidential appendix attached to the report, the disposal being subject to the satisfactory conclusion of park and ride proposals.

The Portfolio Holder advised members that the owner of Prince Consort had applied for a vehicle and pedestrian right of way through the adjoining car park. The purpose was in order to secure planned changes to the building. The company was proposing to relocate its existing car park from the front of the building to the rear with access through St Thomas Street Car Park and to re-landscape the forecourt of the building for pedestrian access. The company would give up land to improve the entrance way to the public car park. The local member supported the proposal.

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC AND PRESS

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 paragraphs 7 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Members discussed individual terms set in the confidential report and in particular the order in which the various stages would be carried out together with the valuations received.

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

RESOLVED :

THAT the Council grant the Prince Consort Limited a right of way through St Thomas Street Car Park on the basis of 125 year lease at the annual charge set out in the confidential paper annexed, with that charge being reviewed every 5 years by indexation, subject to planning permission being granted.

176. MEMBERS QUESTION TIME

Questions were put to the Chairman as follows:-

Mr J Effemey with regard to school sports halls (MQ26/02)

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

CHAIRMAN