MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE RESOURCES SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON THURSDAY, 24 JANUARY 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mr G S Kendall (Chairman), Mr J R Adams (deputising for Mr D J Knowles), Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J H Fleming (deputising for Mrs J L Wareham), Mr P D Joyce, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr V J Morey (deputising for Mr G P Price), Mrs M J Miller, Mr I R Stephens, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A F Tiltman

Apologies :

Mr D J Knowles, Mr G P Price, Mrs J L Wareham

26. MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2001 be confirmed.

27. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Mr R A Sutton declared a pecuniary interest in Minute 31 - Printing Arrangements

28. A VISION FOR NEWPORT

(During the course of the debate Mr M J Cunningham declared an interest in the following item as a Director of the Riverside Centre)
Members were reminded of the Committee's informal briefing held jointly with the Environment and Transport Select Committee in October 2001 regarding potential developments in Newport town centre. At the briefing Members had identified strengths and weaknesses of Newport and had considered priorities for its future development.
It was believed due to the current uncertainty of the relocation of Newport Fire Station and Bus Station it would be difficult to project a definite development plan for Newport.
Members believed there was a need to investigate possible development of all Island towns, including East Cowes and Cowes.
The Select Committee discussed the possibility of relocating the County Hall site from Newport to an out of town site. It was considered that a larger site incorporating those staff working outside of County Hall would be more cost effective.
RESOLVED :
(i) THAT the identified key priorities for Newport town centre be agreed.
(ii) THAT consultations take place with outside organisations on a vision for Newport and these be reported back to the Select Committee at a future date
(iii) THAT the Executive be recommended to approve the key priorities for the development of Newport.
(iv) THAT a similar process be undertaken in Cowes and East Cowes
(v) THAT Officers conduct an appraisal of the County Hall site's development Potential

29. GREENING THE AUTHORITY

Following an introductory report to the Committee's meeting in November 2001, Members had requested that the Personnel Services Manager bring a further report outlining a strategy for Greening the Authority. Members were advised that the strategy set out proposals for a Green Travel Plan for employees. The plan proposed the introduction of a combination of measures to allow employees to choose the type of travel that best suited individual requirements. Councillors Cunningham, Mazillius, Miller, Stephens and Sutton expressed interest in membership on the Steering Group.
RESOLVED :
THAT a Steering Group of Elected Members, Officers and employee and trade union representatives be established to develop recommendations for a Green Travel Plan for employees and a report be brought back to the Committee in May 2002 presenting the Groups findings.

30. APPOINTMENT TO AN OUTSIDE BODY

The Strategic Director advised of the need to appoint a Council representative to the Southern Group Valuation Tribunals - Isle of Wight Appointments Panel. Details of the vacancy had been previously circulated to all members of the Council, without success. It therefore fell to the Select Committee to give consideration to an appropriate Council representative to be recommended to the Executive.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Executive be recommended to appoint Cllr R G Mazillius as the Council representative to sit on Southern Group Valuation Tribunals - Isle of Wight Appointments Panel, for the life of the Council.

31. PRINTING ARRANGEMENTS

(Mr R A Sutton declared a pecuniary interest in the following item of business and left the room)
At the Select Committee's meeting on the 14 November 2001 Members had requested that all printing orders go through the Print Unit Manager and a report outlining the Units current printing arrangements be brought back to the Committee.
Members were advised that arising form an independent printing review which the Print Unit had commissioned in preparation for Best Value, several changes had been recommended which had included that all printing orders go through the Print Unit Manager. It was considered that all print work from all directorates should be offered to the Print Unit and work which the Unit were not equipped to manage would be most economically sourced by the Print Manager.
The Select Committee were informed that a extra casual staff member may have to be employed to manage the increased workload.
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE :
(i) THAT all Directorates be instructed to source all print work to the Print Unit forthwith
(ii) THAT all Directorates use the Print Unit for work within its capability, cost, quality and ability to meet deadlines
(iii) THAT where the Directorates lack the knowledge or expertise to procure their other printing requirements, the Print Manager would seek the most economical source on their behalf.
(iv) THAT the Print Unit is staffed to fully recover all its operational and actual costs in line with current practice.
(v) THAT a future Best Value Review examine the Authority's printing procurement.

32. SELECT COMMITTEE SUPPORT

Members considered the establishment of a permanent second tier post for the Head of Select Committee Support. It was considered the post should have a remit to include overview responsibility for the Best Value process which would allow Members greater involvement in Best Value issues.
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE :
THAT it be recommended to the Executive that the Council establish a new post of the Head of Select Committee Support with a responsibility for the support of the Best Value process

33. FORWARD PLAN

Members considered that it would be of value if the Chairman be briefed on items relevant to Resources matters so to advise Members on matters of interest. Members indicated that the value of the Forward Plan would be increased if it described decisions to be taken in more detail.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Forward Plan be noted.

CHAIRMAN