MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE RESOURCES SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM
Present :
Mr G S Kendall (Chairman), Mr M J Cunningham, Mr P D Joyce, Mr D J Knowles, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr M J Miller, Mr G P Price, Mr I R Stephens, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A F Tiltman, Mr J L Wareham
Portfolio Holder :
Mr R R Barry
Also Present (non voting) :
Mr B C Buckle, Mrs T M Butchers
37. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT, subject to Minute 35 line 5 being amended by the addition of the words ‘ It was noted that Members drawn from the Development Control Committee would be unable to vote on any South Street planning applications at a later date’, the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2002 be confirmed.
38. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Mr G S Kendall declared an interest in Minute 41 as the Council representative on the Islecare Board.
39. URGENT BUSINESS - THE LATEST POSITION OF OUTLOOK FAILURE
The Chairman agreed to consider two items of urgent business, firstly to consider proposals concerning Inver House, Bembridge and secondly to advise Members on the current position with the authorities emailing system.
Members discussed the current failure of the Council’s emailing system, Microsoft Outlook. It was believed the system was suffering hardware and software failure and had been out of use for over a week. Members were informed that the Council’s Seaclose Offices had been without email facilities and telephones. It was also highlighted that Members laptops had not been working for some time due to software problems.
RESOLVED :
THAT a report addressing the recent ICT problems be brought to the next meeting of the Select Committee
40. EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS
RESOLVED :
THAT under Section 100(A0(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, namely Minute 41, on the grounds that there was likely to be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 7 and 8 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act
41. URGENT BUSINESS - INVER HOUSE, BEMBRIDGE
(The Chairman declared a interest in this item and vacated the Chair and left the room. The Vice-Chairman, Mr G P Price, took the Chair)
Before debating the following item of business, Cllr M J Miller declared a non pecuniary interest as Chairman of the Development Control Committee. Mr D J Knowles declared a pecuniary interest as a Care Home owner. Mr R A Sutton declared a pecuniary interest due to a personal connection
The Select Committee were informed that the sale of Inver House had been considered by the Social Services, Benefits and Housing Select Committee on 6 February 2002. Members considered the draft confidential report to the Executive disclosing the proposed terms to grant a 125 year lease to Isle Care 97. Members considered the draft terms of the lease and considered that there should be three minor amendments to these.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Executive be asked to endorse the amended terms
The public and press were then re-admitted to the meeting.
42. HEALTHY WORK FORCE STRATEGY
(The Chairman resumed the Chair)
The Personnel Services Manager presented his report which outlined the proposed Healthy Workforce Strategy. The Select Committee had not received the necessary background papers detailing the proposed Strategy so were unable to fully endorse it.
RESOLVED :
(i) THAT the Healthy Workforce Strategy be deferred to the Select Committee meeting on 13 March 2002.
(ii) THAT the Select Committee support the launch of the Healthy Workforce due to take place on 19 February 2002.
43. MEASURING PERFORMANCE TASK GROUP/ BUDGET SCRUTINY
The Chairman of the Task Group presented his report which set out interim recommendations for consideration by the Select Committee. Members were informed that particular focus had been placed on the examination of performance indicators. The report set out five areas in which the Task Group recognised weaknesses related to performance indicators and service plans.
The Select Committee considered that Service Plans were a useful resource for management purposes but often were of little value to Members during the scrutiny process. Members believed a succinct two page combined service improvement plan and performance review report would put greater focus on important issues. It was agreed that there was a need for greater Member involvement in service planning and the budget process, which it was believed, would greatly improve the Select Committee scrutiny process.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Task Group be requested to develop a procedure/methodology and framework for the scrutiny of Service Plans/budgets for recommendation to the April 2002 meeting of the Liaison Committee for adoption by all Select Committees.
44. PROPERTY/ASSET MANAGEMENT TASK GROUP - INTERIM REPORT
The Task Groups Terms of Reference were to identify opportunities for the Council to optimise the use of Council accommodation and further review current arrangements for surplus property. The Chairman of the Task Group informed Members that the group had visited a number of Council properties in the Newport area and intended to make further site visits during the beginning of March 2002.
Following the discussions concerning ‘A Vision for Newport’ the Task Group had requested that Officers draft a strategy for the future use of County Hall. Implications of the flexible working initiative were also being investigated.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be noted
CHAIRMAN