MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE
COUNCIL HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER
2002 COMMENCING AT 10.00 AM
Present :
Miss H L Humby (Chairman) Mr J R Adams, Mr R R Barry, Mr A C Bartlett, Mr J A Bowker, Mrs B D Clough, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J Effemey, Mr J H Fleming, Mr E Fox, Mrs D Gardiner, Mr C M Gauntlett, Mr C R Hancock, Mr P G Harris, Mrs M A Jarman, Mr P D Joyce, Mr G S Kendall, Mr D J Knowles, Mrs B Lawson, Mr C H Lillywhite, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr A J Mellor, Mrs M J Miller, Mr V J Morey, Mr A J Mundy, Mrs E Oulton, Mr K Pearson, Mr G P Price, Mr H Rees, Mr R C Richards, Mrs S A Smart, Mr I R Stephens, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A F Tiltman, Mrs J L Wareham, Mr D G Williams, Mr D T Yates
Apologies :
Mrs T M Butchers,
Mr C B W Chapman,
Mr A C Coburn, Mr A A Taylor, Mrs J White
Before the meeting commenced the Council stood for a minutes silence in memory of all those that lost their lives in the terrorist attack in America on 11 September 2001. The Chairman then presented an Isle of Wight Fire Brigade Plaque to accompany a Tribute Book from the Isle of Wight Fire Brigade to the New York Fire Department.
33. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2002 be confirmed.
34. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There
were no declarations
received at this stage.
35. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Questions were put
to the Chairman as follows :
Mr J Spence concerning shower facilities at Appley Beach
(PQ 86/02) and the Skateboard Park, Ryde (PQ 87/02)
Mrs S M Swan concerning Statements for Special Educational
Needs (PQ 88/02)
Mr J Wortham asked a question
regarding what offences officers needed to commit before they were dismissed. The Portfolio Holder for Resources indicated
that officers committing gross misconduct would be dismissed but this would
depend on all the facts in the case being considered. He promised to send Mr
Wortham a written reply.
36. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Chairman thanked the members of staff who had worked on the Isle of Wight Council stand at the Garlic Festival. The Chairman introduced Mr A Ashcroft, Head of Planning, and Mr J Lawson, Head of Democratic and Legal Services to the Council.
37. VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT SELECT COMMITTEE
It was moved by the Leader and seconded and
RESOLVED :
THAT Mr M Cunningham be elected Vice Chairman of the Environment and Transport Select Committee until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.
38. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE EXECUTIVE
(a) Data Protection Policy
Consideration was given to a new Data Protection Policy for the Council. The Data Protection Act 1998 had come into force on 24 October 2001 and now applied to some paper records as well as records held on computer.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Data Protection Policy as attached to the report be adopted and be brought to the attention of all staff and Councillors and that appropriate training be provided.
(b) Statement of Accounts
The report of the Portfolio Holder for Resources as considered by the Executive on the 10 September 2002 was submitted. The recommendation of the Executive for the Council to approve the Statement of Accounts was circulated.
RESOLVED:
THAT the Statement of Accounts for the financial year ending March 2002 be approved.
39.
REGIONALISM – WHAT IT MIGHT MEAN FOR THE ISLE OF WIGHT
Mr R Bevan, Chief Executive of SEERA made a presentation on “Regionalism – what it might mean for the Isle of Wight”. Following the presentation questions were asked of Mr Bevan to which appropriate replies were given.
The Council then debated the issue.
During the debate it was moved and seconded and
RESOLVED :
THAT Procedure Rule 15 (4) be suspended so as not to limit the length of speeches during the debate on this item.
Several concerns were raised with regard to the current situation whereby the Isle of Wight was included for statistical purposes with Hampshire thus precluding the Isle of Wight from structural funding from the European Union.
Concern was also raised about the effect that regionalism might have on the Isle of Wight’s ability to be represented on any elected regional body.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Council actively pursues at all levels that the Government reclassifies the Isle of Wight as a NUTS level 2 Region as opposed to its current level 3 status.
40. MOTION SUBMITTED UNDER PROCEEURE RULE 11 BY MR A SUTTON CC
The Council debated the following motion
submitted by Mr A Sutton CC.
“During
the last month it came to light that the isle of Wight Council had submitted a
complaint to the radio authority regarding the Alex Dyke phone in.
To debate in full council the following:
1. Who authorised
this failed complaint
2. What
authority was given to submit the failed complaint
3. Which
member was responsible for this failed complaint
4. What
was the cost of this complaint and who foots the bill.
This
debate will result in the following motion to the Full Council:
That
the Full Council formulates a Corporate Communications Strategy. The strategy
to include member authority for any future action taken.”
The
motion was seconded by Mrs S Smart CC.
The
Council then debated the events detailed in the motion and it was
RESOLVED :
THAT a Corporate Communications Strategy be formulated to include member authority for any future complaints against the press.
41. EXECUTIVE - REPORTS OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDERS
(i) The Leader
The Labour Group asked a question relating to the attendance
record of a member (MQ 69/02).
Copies of these questions and replies given are contained
in the Members' Question Register.
A number of questions were also asked orally to the Leader.
(ii) The
Deputy Leader
A question was asked orally of the Deputy Leader.
(iii)
Agenda 21 and Countryside Matters
On behalf of the Portfolio Holder the Leader updated members on current issues.
(iv)
Economic Development, UK and EU, Regional Issues
The Portfolio Holder updated members on a number of current issues.
A number of questions were asked orally of the Portfolio Holder.
(v)
Education and Lifelong Learning
The Portfolio Holder updated members on a number of current issues.
A number of questions were asked orally of the Portfolio Holder.
(vi)
Fire, Emergency Planning and Consumer Protection
The Portfolio Holder updated members on various matters including his attendance at the Fire 2002 Conference and the latest developments in the pay claim from the Fire Brigade Union.
A number of questions were asked orally of the Portfolio
Holder.
(vii)
Resources
The Portfolio Holder updated members on the
negotiations relating to the pay claim with Unison.
A
number of questions were asked orally of the Portfolio Holder.
(vii) Social Services and Housing
The Portfolio Holder updated members on current issues.
(viii)
Tourism and Leisure
The Portfolio Holder updated members on current issues.
Cllr Effemey asked a question relating the review of the TIC opening hours (MQ 70/02)
Copies of these questions and
replies given are contained in the Members' Question Register.
A question was asked orally of the Portfolio Holder.
(ix)
Transport
The Portfolio Holder updated members on current issues.
42.
SELECT
AND REGULATORY COMMITTEES
(a) Reports by Chairman of Select
Committees
(i)
Economic
Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services
The Chairman updated members on various issues.
(ii)
Education,
Community Development and Lifelong Learning
The Vice Chairman updated members on various issues.
(iii)
Environment
and Transport
In the absence of the Chairman
and the fact that the Vice Chairman had only been elected earlier in the
meeting, no report was submitted.
(iv) Fire
and Public Safety
The Chairman submitted a written report to members on the work the Select Committee. It was suggested that all Select Committee Chairmen should be encouraged to submit their reports to Council in writing.
(i)
Resources
On behalf of the Chairman the leader read a report informing members on various issues undertaken by the Select Committee recently.
(ii)
Social Services, Housing and Benefits
On behalf of the Chairman the leader read a report informing members on various issues undertaken by the Select Committee recently.
(b)
REGULATORY COMMITTEES
(i)
Development Control Committee
No written questions were received.
(ii)
Licensing
Panel
No written questions were
received.
(iii) Regulatory Appeals
No
written questions were received.
CHAIRMAN