MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 16 APRIL 2003 COMMENCING AT 10.00 AM

 

Present :

 

Miss H L Humby (Chairman), Mr B E Abraham, Mr J R Adams, Mr R R Barry, Mr A C Bartlett, Mr J A Bowker, Mr B C Buckle, Mrs T M Butchers, Mr C B W Chapman, Mrs B D Clough, Mr A C Coburn, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J Effemey, 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 C H Lillywhite, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr A J Mellor, Mrs M J Miller, Mr V J Morey, Mr M O Morgan Huws, 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 A Taylor, Mrs J L Wareham, Mr J A M D Whittaker, Mr D G Williams,  Mrs J White, Mr D T Yates

 

Apologies :

 

Mr D J Knowles and Mrs B Lawson

 

 

 


Before the commencement of the meeting the Chairman handed cheques for £322 to each of the following charities: Friends of Meadowbrook, Special Olympics and Sunnycrest,

 

The Chairman then received, on behalf of the Council, a Royal Town Planning Institute’s National Planning Achievement Award for the marine transfer facility at NEG Micon Rotas from Adrian French of Terence O’Rourke and Julian Brown, Managing Director, NEG Micon.

 

1.                  ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

 

Miss H Humby was duly proposed and seconded as Chairman of the Council. There being no other nominations it was :

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT Miss Humby be elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

 

Miss Humby thereupon took the Chair and formally declared her acceptance of the office of Chairman and thanked the Members for her election. 

 

2.                  ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

 

The names of Mrs Jarman and Mr Bartlett were separately moved and seconded. Following a vote by secret ballot in accordance with Procedure Rule 18 (4), it was:

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT Mrs M A Jarman be elected Vice Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

 

Mrs Jarman then formally declared her acceptance of the office of Vice Chairman. The Chairman then paid tribute to the work and support of the outgoing Vice Chairman.

 

3.                  ELECTION OF DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

 

Mr Bartlett was duly proposed and seconded as Deputy Chairman of the Council. There being no other nominations it was :

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT Mr Bartlett be elected Deputy Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

 

Mr Bartlett thereupon took the Chair and formally declared her acceptance of the office of Chairman and thanked the Members for her election.

 

4.                  MINUTES

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2003 be confirmed.

 

5.                  REPORT OF THE RETURNING OFFICER

 

The Returning Officer reported that Mr Julian Whittaker had been elected to serve on the Council as a result of the Newport North by election.

 

Mr Whittaker was welcomed to his first meeting of the Council since being elected.

 

6.                  DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

There were no declarations received at this stage.

 

7.                  PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

 

Questions were put to the Chairman as follows :

 

Ms M Swan concerning SEN tribunals (PQ 15/03).

 

8.                  CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

 

The Chairman explained that she had sent a message of support to the military personnel serving in the Gulf and on the success of the recent Civic day.

 

9.                  ELECTION OF LEADER OF THE COUNCIL

 

The names of Mrs Smart and Mr Sutton were both separately moved and seconded. Following a vote by secret ballot in accordance with Procedure Rule 18 (4), it was :

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT Mrs Smart be elected the Leader of the Council for the ensuing year.

 

10.             AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

 

(Mr M Fisher left the meeting for this item.)

 

It was moved, seconded and

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the post of Head of Paid Service and Strategic Director of Corporate Services be changed to Chief Executive Officer and Strategic Director of Corporate Services and that this post be designated as Head of Paid Service.

 

11.             APPOINTMENT OF THE EXECUTIVE

 

It was moved, seconded and

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT in addition to the leader the following be appointed to the Executive with the portfolios listed below:

 

Mr P Harris - Deputy Leader

Mrs T Butchers - Agenda 21 and Countryside Matters

Mr H Rees - Economic Development, UK and EU, Regional Issues

Mrs J Wareham - Education and Lifelong Learning

Mr D Knowles - Fire, Emergency Planning and Consumer Protection

Mr R Barry - Resources

Mr G Kendall - Social Services and Housing

Mr J Fleming - Tourism and Leisure

Mr E Fox - Transport

 

12.             POLITICAL PROPORTIONALITY

 

The Council considered a revised scheme on the political proportionality for Committees following the resignation of Mr Mazillius from the Island First Group but not joining any other party and the result of the Newport North by election. Additionally the Council considered increasing the size of the Licensing Panel to 10 members with 3 deputies.

 

RESOLVED :

 

(i)                 THAT the political distribution for Committees be as set out in the Ready Reckoner at Appendix A.

 

(ii)               THAT the size of the Licensing Panel be increased to 10 with 3 deputies.

 

(iii)             THAT the distribution of seats across the Committees be as set out in Appendix B and that the various seats be filled in accordance with the wishes of the various Groups.

 

(iv)              THAT Mrs Foster be appointed as a deputy to the Development Control Committee, taking her off the Regulatory Appeals Committee and that Mr Mazillius be appointed to the Regulatory Appeals Committee and the Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee.

 

13.             ELECTION OF CHAIRMEN AND VICE CHAIRMEN OF SELECT COMMITTEES

 

(i)               Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services

 

Chairman      

             

The names of Mr Hancock and Mr Mundy were both separately moved and seconded. Following a vote by secret ballot in accordance with Procedure Rule 18 (4), it was :

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT Mr Hancock be elected Chairman of the Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee.

 

Vice Chairman

 

The names of Mr Adams and Mr Mundy were both separately moved and seconded. Following a vote by secret ballot in accordance with Procedure Rule 18 (4), it was :

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT Mr Adams be elected Vice Chairman of the Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee.

 

(ii)             Education, Community Development and Lifelong Learning

 

Chairman      

             

The names of Mr Howe and Mr Mellor were both separately moved and seconded. Following a vote by secret ballot in accordance with Procedure Rule 18 (4), it was :

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT Mr Howe be elected Chairman of the Education, Community Development and Lifelong Learning Select Committee.

 

Vice Chairman

 

The names of Mrs Clough and Mr Mellor were both separately moved and seconded. Following a vote by secret ballot in accordance with Procedure Rule 18 (4), it was :

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT Mrs Clough be elected Vice Chairman of the Education, Community Development and Lifelong Learning Select Committee.

(iii)           Environment and Transport

 

Chairman      

             

The names of Mr Price and Mr Cunningham were both separately moved and seconded. Following a vote by secret ballot in accordance with Procedure Rule 18 (4), it was :

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT Mr Price be elected Chairman of the Environment and Transport Select Committee.

 

Vice Chairman

 

Mr Cunningham was duly proposed and seconded. There being no other nominations it was :

 

RESOLVED :

THAT Mr Cunningham be elected Vice Chairman of the Environment and Transport Select Committee.

(iv)              Fire and Public Safety

 

Chairman      

             

The names of Mr Morey and Mr Abraham were both separately moved and seconded. Following a vote by secret ballot in accordance with Procedure Rule 18 (4), it was :

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT Mr Morey be elected Chairman of the Fire and Public Safety Select Committee.

 

Vice Chairman

 

Mr Abraham was duly proposed and seconded. There being no other nominations it was :

 

RESOLVED :

THAT Mr Abraham be elected Vice Chairman of the Fire and Public Safety Select Committee.

(v)                 Resources

 

Chairman      

             

The names of Mrs Lloyd and Mr Joyce were both separately moved and seconded. Following a vote by secret ballot in accordance with Procedure Rule 18 (4), it was :

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT Mrs Lloyd be elected Chairman of the Resources Select Committee.

 

Vice Chairman

 

The names of Mr Joyce and Mrs Lawson were both separately moved and seconded. Following a vote by secret ballot in accordance with Procedure Rule 18 (4), it was :

 

RESOLVED :

THAT Mrs Lawson be elected Vice Chairman of the Resources Committee.

(vi)              Social Services, Housing and Benefits

 

Chairman      

             

The names of Mr Stephens and Mrs Oulton were both separately moved and seconded. Following a vote by secret ballot in accordance with Procedure Rule 18 (4), it was :

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT Mr Stephens be elected Chairman of the Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee.

 

Vice Chairman

 

Mr Mazillius was duly proposed and seconded. There being no other nominations it was :

 

RESOLVED :

THAT Mr Mazillius be elected Vice Chairman of the Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee.

14.             ELECTION OF CHAIRMEN AND VICE CHAIRMEN OF THE REGULATORY COMMITTEES

(i)                 Development Control Committee

Chairman

 

Mrs Miller was duly proposed and seconded. There being no other nominations it was :

 

RESOLVED :

THAT Mrs Miller be elected Chairman of the Development Control Committee.

 

Vice Chairman

 

Mr Taylor was duly proposed and seconded. There being no other nominations it was :

 

RESOLVED :

THAT Mr Taylor be elected Vice Chairman of the Development Control Committee.

(ii)               Licensing Panel

 

Chairman      

             

The names of Mr Chapman and Mr Mundy were both separately moved and seconded. Following a vote by secret ballot in accordance with Procedure Rule 18 (4), it was :

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT Mr Chapman be elected Chairman of the Licensing Panel.

 

Vice Chairman

 

The names of Mr Richards and Mr Mundy were both separately moved and seconded. Following a vote by secret ballot in accordance with Procedure Rule 18 (4), it was :

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT Mr Richards be elected Vice Chairman of the Licensing Panel.

(iii)             Regulatory Appeals

                       

Chairman      

             

The names of Mr Richards and Mr Cunningham were both separately moved and seconded. Following a vote by secret ballot in accordance with Procedure Rule 18 (4), it was :

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT Mr Richards be elected Chairman of the Regulatory Appeals Committee.

 

Vice Chairman

 

Mr Cunningham was duly proposed and seconded. There being no other nominations it was :

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT Mr Cunningham be elected Vice Chairman of the Regulatory Appeals Committee.

 

15.             DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the dates of future meetings of the Council be:

 

Wednesday, 14 May 2003

Wednesday, 11 June 2003

Wednesday, 9 July 2003

Wednesday, 17 September 2003

Wednesday, 15 October 2003

Wednesday, 26 November 2003

Wednesday, 10 December 2003

Wednesday, 21 January 2004

Monday, 23 February 2004

Wednesday, 17 March 2004

Wednesday, 28 April 2004

 

All meetings to commence at 10.00 am and to be held in the Council Chamber at County Hall, Newport.

 

16.             STANDARDS COMMITTEE

 

(i)                 Member attendance Record Procedure and Councillors’ “Job Profiles”

 

The Council considered the recommendations of the Standards Committee on a process for recording and publishing Members attendance records and Councillors’ “Job Profiles”. The Chairman of the Standards Committee further suggested that if these were to be adopted they should commence from 1 May with a review after 6 months.

Council further considered an amendment to exclude the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council from the attendance Record Procedure as their need to attend Civic duties frequently meant that they had to be absent from Committee meetings.

 

It was noted that Appendix 1 to the report of the Standards Committee contained a typographical error in that the process applied to the Regulatory Committees as well.

 

RESOLVED :

 

(a)             THAT the member attendance record procedure and Councillors’ “job profiles” as attached at Appendix 1 and 2 to report of the Standards Committee be adopted for implementation as from 1 May 2003, and that the Standards Committee be asked to review the process after 6 months.

 

(b)             THAT the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council be excluded from the attendance record procedure.

 

(ii)               Appointment to Vacancies on the Standards Committee

 

RESOLV ED :

 

THAT Mr David Watson and Mr George Hibberd be appointed to the vacancies for two independent members on the Standards Committee until 5 May 2005.

 

17.             DEVELOPMENT OF THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING

 

Council considered a report from the Leader of the Council on the Development of the Full Council meetings.  During the debate a serious of resolutions were moved and seconded followed by an amendment dealing with a procedure for the appointment of the Vice Chairman of the Council. Given the complexity of the motions it was

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT this item be deferred until the next meeting of the Council. 

 

 

                       

CHAIRMAN

Appendix A

                                                                                                                              Revised April 2003

IWC

 

COMMITTEES/PANEL

 

READY RECKONER

 

No of

Seats

Island 1st

Cons.

Lab.

Mrs Foster

Mr Buckle

Mr Mazillius

3

2

1

-

-

-

-

4

3

1

-

-

-

-

5

3

2

-

-

-

-

6

4

2

-

-

-

-

7

4

2

1

-

-

-

8

5

2

1

-

-

-

9

6

2

1

-

-

-

10

6

3

1

-

-

-

11

7

3

1

-

-

-

12

8

3

1

-

-

-

13

8

4

1

-

-

-

14

9

4

1

-

-

-

15

10

4

1

-

-

-

16

10

5

1

-

-

-

17

11

5

1

-

-

-

18

11

5

1

1*

1*

1*

19

12

5

1

1*

1*

1*

20

12

6

1

1*

1*

1*

21

13

6

1

1*

1*

1*

22

13

6

2

1*

1*

1*

23

14

6

2

1*

1*

1*

24

15

6

2

1*

1*

1*

25

15

7

2

1*

1*

1*

 

Island 1st Group           :                       29 members

Conservative Group    :                       13 members

Labour Group              :                       3 members

Mrs Foster                   :                       1 member

            Mr Buckle                    :                       1 member

            Mr Mazillius                 :                       1 member

 

* these seats have to be shared between these three groups

Appendix B

 

PROPORTIONALITY ACROSS COMMITTEES

 

 

Total No. of Seats

Island First

Con.

Labour

Mrs Foster

Mr Buckle

Mr Mazillius

Executive (NOT Proportionate)

10

10

0

0

0

0

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Licensing

10(+3)

8

4

1+

 

1*

 

Development Control

14(+6)

12

6

1

1

 

 

Regulatory Appeals Committee

15

8

4

1

 

1*

1

Education and Lifelong Learning

12

7

4

1

 

 

 

Social Services and Housing

12

7

3

1

 

 

1

Environment, Transport etc

12

8

4

0

 

 

 

Economic Development etc

12

8

3

1

 

 

 

Resources

12

8

3

1

 

 

 

Fire and Public Safety

12

7

3

1

1

 

 

Standards

2(+3)

3

1

1

 

 

 

 

* allocated to Mr Buckle but not filled by the Council.

+ filled by Mrs Jarman on behalf of the Labour Group.