RECORD OF DECISION

The following decisions were taken on 6 February 2007 by the CABINET

THE CALL IN PERIOD FOR THESE DECISIONS EXPIRES AT 5.00 PM ON THURSDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2007

Members of the Cabinet who were present :

Cllrs Andy Sutton (Chairman), Barry Abraham, George Brown, Dawn Cousins, Tim Hunter‑Henderson, Ian Ward

Members also present (non-voting) :

Cllrs Henry Adams, Vanessa Churchman, Mike Cunningham, John Hobart, Melanie Swan, Arthur Taylor, Alan Wells, David Williams

Apologies :

Cllrs Patrick Joyce, David Pugh, Jilly Wood

Confirmed as a true record of decisions taken ……………………………………………

Leader of the Council

Agenda item	Minutes of the Last Meeting
Decision reference	50/06
Decision Taken	The minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2007 were agreed.
Questions/ Amendments	None.
Agenda item	Public Question Time
Decision reference	51/06
Questions	The written question submitted by Mr Ernie Fox was read out, which requested the addition of a further Option - that pupils move directly from Primary school to High school - in the forthcoming formal consultation process on Post 16 Educational Provision. The results of the consultation process were due to be reported to the meeting of Full Council, in March (PQ 06/07)
Agenda item	Post 16 Educational Provision: Outcome of Policy Commission Review
Decision reference	52/06
Decision taken	i. That the work and recommendation of the Policy Commission for Children and School Results be endorsed and that a formal consultation process be undertaken, culminating in a proposal for implementation to be considered by the Full Council, in March. ii. That senior officers be authorised to begin discussions with the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and other relevant regional and national organisations regarding the legal and financial implications of the Policy Commission’s recommendation, without incurring any significant additional resource, until such time as the Full Council presents its decision.
Reason	The Policy Commission’s recommendation linked directly with the corporate objective in Aim High with regard to improving the outcomes for children and young people. It recommended an alternative solution to the issue of under achievement at Key Stages 4 and 5 and subsequently, therefore, the rejection of the LSC’s proposal in its current form.
Additional reasons	It also addressed the concerns expressed in the Area Review of post 14 provision (January 2004) and the Joint Area Review (May 2006) regarding concerns about post 14 provision on the Island. In addition, the recommendation sought to respond to the Government’s national agenda regarding the development of 14-19 diplomas and issues of choice and diversity in educational provision.
Options considered and rejected	To reject the recommendations of the Policy Commission for Children and School Results.
Interests	None declared.
Additional advice received	None.
Agenda item	Memorandum of Understanding between the Isle of Wight Council and the Isle of Wight National Health Service Primary Care Trust
Decision reference	53/06
Decision taken	That the Memorandum of Understanding between the Isle of Wight Council and the Isle of Wight National Health Service Primary Care Trust be progressed.
Reason	To enable the Isle of Wight Council (IWC) and the Isle of Wight National Health Service Primary Care Trust (IW NHS PCT) to work together to deliver person centred Local Authority and Health Care services.
Additional reasons	Without some form of agreement, there would not be clarity about the aims and objectives of the joint collaboration and the key priorities. Partnerships between the IWC and the IW NHS had faltered in the past where there had not been this clarity of purpose or where the agreement had been so cumbersome and legalistic that it had become a barrier to delivering service improvements.
Options considered and rejected	To reject the Memorandum of Understanding
Interests	None declared.
Additional advice received	None.
Agenda item	Communications Protocol
Decision reference	54/06
Decision taken	i. That the revised Communications Protocol be approved; ii. That future amendments to the protocol be delegated to the Head of Communications, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member.
Reason	The current media protocol within the Council’s Constitution required some amendment as it referred to a magazine that no longer existed, structures and teams that had been changed and needed to more fully reflect the Government’s Code of practice on local government publicity.
Additional reasons	The Council’s Communications’ Strategy and Plan were agreed annually in terms of key messages, target audience, methodology and evaluation. The plan was underpinned by the Communications Protocol.
Options considered and rejected	To agree an alternative protocol.
Interests	None declared.
Additional advice received	None.
Agenda item	Consideration of the Forward Plan
Decision reference	55/06
Amendments / Additions / Removals	None.
Interests	None declared.
Agenda item	Delegated Decisions
Decision reference	56/06
Questions	No questions were asked as there had been no Delegated Decisions taken since the last meeting of the Cabinet, in January.
Interests	None declared.
Agenda item	Members Question Time
Decision reference	57/06
Questions	No questions were asked.
Interests	None declared.