MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD
AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 14 MAY 2003 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 T M Butchers, Mr C B W Chapman, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J H Fleming,
Mrs B E Foster, Mr E Fox, Mrs D Gardiner, Mr C M Gauntlett, Mr C R Hancock,
Mr P G Harris, Mr J F Howe, 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, Mrs M J Miller,
Mr V J Morey, Mr A J Mundy,
Mrs E Oulton, Mr K Pearson, Mr H Rees,
Mrs S A Smart, Mr I R Stephens,
Mr R A Sutton, Mr A A Taylor,
Mrs J L Wareham,
Mr D G Williams, Mrs J White, Mr J A M D Whittaker, Mr D T Yates
Apologies :
Mr B E Abraham, Mr B C Buckle,
Mrs B D Clough, Mr A C Coburn,
Mr J Effemey, Mr M O Morgan Huws,
Mr G P Price, Mr R C Richards
18.
MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT
the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 April
2003 be confirmed subject to, amending ‘her’ to ‘his’ in Minute No. 3.
19.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations received at this stage.
20.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Questions
were put to the Chairman as follows :
Mr Howes concerning the budget setting
parameters (PQ17/03)
Mrs Swan concerning the cost of SEN
Tribunals (PQ18/03)
Mr Wortham asked an oral question relating to
the employment of consultants – the Leader responded accordingly.
21.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The
Chairman reported on the recent attendance at the Portsmouth City Council Mayor
Making ceremony.
22.
RETIREMENT OF JOHN PULSFORD
Members paid tribute to Mr
John Pulsford, Strategic Director of Finance and Information and County
Treasurer on his retirement.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Council place on record its appreciation and
most grateful thanks to Mr John Pulsford for his long and distinguished service
in Local Authority finance over 39 years, and in particular for his service to
the Isle of Wight Council since 1995 as County Treasurer and Strategic Director,
Finance and Information, and to express to Mr and Mrs Pulsford every good
wish for a long and happy retirement.
Mr Pulsford
replied accordingly.
23.
BUSINESS DEFERRED FROM
THE LAST COUNCILMEETING – DEVELOPMENT OF THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING
(Due to a prior appointment, the Chairman vacated
the Chair part way through the debate and the Vice Chairman, Mrs J M Jarman
took the Chair).
The Council considered a report form the Leader of
the Council on the development of the Full Council meetings. During the debate
a series of resolutions were moved and seconded. An amendment was made which
was voted on and lost.
Following
further debate it was
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be deferred
until the next Council meeting in order for composite paper to be prepared for
consideration
24.
MOTION SUBMITTED
UNDER PROCEDURE RULE 11 BY MRS D GARDINER
Council considered a motion submitted by Mrs D
Gardiner and following debate it was
RESOLVED :
That the council welcomes the introduction of child
tax credit and working tax credit on 7 April as a major contribution towards
the government’s drive to end child poverty and resolves:
a)
to support - in
conjunction with local voluntary and statutory services – a benefits take-up
campaign drawing on the LGA’s Quids for Kids good practice guide and supporting
material.
b)
to encourage council
employees to claim their entitlements.
c)
to apply the same
principles to promote the launch of pension credit on 6 October 2003.
25.
DOGS ON THE SEASHORE
BYELAWS
(Mr D Knowles declared a personal interest in this
item, as he was a dog owner).
Council considered a report from the Portfolio
Holder for Fire, Emergency Planning and Consumer Protection, considering the
objections that had been received to the draft byelaws for the control of dogs
on the seashore. Council considered that the objections did not merit a change
to the byelaws as drafted.
RESOLVED :
(a)
THAT the draft byelaw
for the control of dogs on the seashore as approved by Council on 22 November
2001 be approved and duly sealed by the proper officer
(b)
THAT the byelaw be
advertised in accordance with DEFRA recommendations and then after the period
of deposit be sent to the Secretary of State of confirmation
26.
POLITICAL
PROPORTIONALITY
The Council considered a revised scheme on the
political proportionality for Committees following the resignation of Mr Bowker
from the Island First Group but not joining any other party.
RESOLVED :
(a)
THAT the Council approve
the political distribution for Committees as set out in Appendix A attached to
the minutes
(b)
THAT the distribution of
seats across the Committees be as set out in Appendix B attached to the minutes
and that the various seats be filled in accordance with the wishes of the
various Groups
(c)
THAT the Council appoint
Mr Bowker to the Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and the Environment
and Transport Select Committees
27.
EXECUTIVE
Executive - Reports Of The
Portfolio Holders
(i)
The Leader
The Leader indicated that she had nothing to report.
(ii)
The Deputy Leader
An oral question was asked concerning the display of press releases in
the member’s room.
(iii)
Agenda 21 and
Countryside Matters
Mr Lillywhite submitted a question (and was given a reply) on the
policy of maintaining trees and hedgerows (MQ13/03). An oral question was asked concerning the vacant post of the Tree
and Landscape Officer.
The Portfolio Holder updated members on the progress of the Pan
Project.
(iv)
Economic Development,
UK and EU, Regional Issues
The Portfolio Holder updated members on regional issues.
(v)
Education and
Lifelong Learning
The Portfolio Holder updated members on current issues. An oral
question was asked concerning the list of vacancies for school governors.
(vi)
Fire, Emergency
Planning and Consumer Protection
The Portfolio Holder updated members on talks with the FBU and the
Governments White Paper. He also
reminded members of a Crime and Disorder Conference to be held the following
week.
(vii)
Resources
The Portfolio Holder updated members on the Pennies From Heaven Scheme
and on the recent GAGS launch.
(viii)
Social Services and
Housing
The Portfolio Holder informed members on the latest concerning the
response to the Climbie Inquiry.
(ix)
Tourism and Leisure
The Portfolio Holder informed members that the Islands beaches had won
a number of blue flag awards. An oral question was asked concerning the funding
of decorative lighting on the Island.
(x)
Transport
Mr Mazillius submitted a question (and was given a
reply) on the policy of ensuring access to businesses is retained during road
works (MQ14/03)
28.
SELECT AND REGULATORY COMMITTEES
(a)
Reports by Chairman of Select Committees
(i)
Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services
The Chairman indicated that
he had nothing to report.
(i)
Education, Community Development and Lifelong Learning
The Chairman indicated that
he had nothing to report.
(ii)
Environment and Transport
The Chairman indicated that
he had nothing to report.
(iii)
Fire and Public Safety
The Chairman indicated that
he had nothing to report.
(iv)
Resources
The Chairman indicated that
she had nothing to report.
(v)
Social Services,
Housing and Benefits
The Chairman indicated that
he had nothing to report.
(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