MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 17 MARCH 2004 COMMENCING AT 9.30 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, Mrs B D Clough, Mr A C Coburn, 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 J F Howe, Mrs M A Jarman, Mr P D Joyce, Mr G S Kendall, Mrs B Lawson, Mr C H Lillywhite Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr R G Mazillius, Mrs M J Miller, Mr V J Morey, 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, Mrs J White, Mr J A M D Whittaker, Mr D G Williams and Mr D T Yates

 

Apologies :

 

Mr C B W Chapman, Mr P G Harris, Mr D J Knowles, Mr A J Mundy

 

 

 


87.             MINUTES

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2004 be approved.

 

88.             DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

Mrs B Lawson declared a personal interest in minute 92 (b) as a member of the Isle of Wight Association of Town and Parish Councils.

 

Mr G S Kendall declare a personal interest in minute 91 as a non Executive Director of the Primary Health Trust.

 

Mr B Buckle declared a personal interest in minute 91 as he was awaiting dental treatment on the NHS.

 

89.             CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

 

The Chairman reported on the Music Concert held for her charities and that the presentation for unsung heroes was due to take place on 14 April.

 

90.             TRANSPORTATION

 

(Mrs J L Wareham declared a personal interest in this item as a member of her family was sponsored by Wightlink)

 

(Mr K Pearson declared a personal interest in this item as he was a taxi driver on the Island)

 

The Portfolio Holder for Transport and Mr S Porter, Chairman of the Quality Transport Partnership, gave a presentation on the transportation issues that faced the Island.

 

Following the presentation a motion was moved and seconded seeking commitment to an all embracing, high quality, integrated transport network across the Island and Solent. During the debate the Portfolio Holder amended the motion to include the involvement of Island Futures to help identify changes to transport policies and strategies which would help deliver travel choice.  Following the debate it was

 

RESOLVED :

 

i)                  THAT the Council seek to provide an all embracing, high quality, integrated transport network across the Island and the Solent, which provides the public with genuine choice for the way in which they travel.

 

ii)                In conjunction with the Quality Transport Partnership through Island Futures Theme 2 identify any appropriate changes to transport policies and strategies which can help deliver genuine travel choice.

 

91.             MOTION SUBMITTED BY MR B BUCKLE CC UNDER PROCEDURE RULE 11

 

In accordance with Procedure Rule 11 Mr Buckle moved the following motion:

 

“This Council recognises that the Government is taking steps to support NHS dentistry on the Island but that these steps will take at least six months before there is any tangible benefit. In the meanwhile this Council:

 

(a)                    Requests that the Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee discuss with the Island’s Primary Care Trust and/or St Mary’s Hospital whether their current facilities could be urgently expanded on a short-term basis with the injection of, say £100,000 or

 

(b)                    If, in the opinion of the Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee (a) would not result in an immediate improvement in NHS dentistry on the Island then would the Select Committee urgently consider organising “dental tourism” trips to Cherbourg where free treatment is available to EU citizens and could be arranged to take effect about Whitsuntide.”

 

As this was a matter for the Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee the Chairman, in accordance with Procedure Rule 11 (4) determined that the matter should be referred to that Select Committee without further discussion.

 

RESOLVED:

 

THAT the Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee consider the motion as set out above.

 

92.             ELECTORAL MATTERS

 

(a)               Review of Polling Places

 

Council considered a report from the Chief Executive Officer requesting the designation, following a detailed review, of the polling places on the Isle of Wight.

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT all of the Polling Districts be designated as Polling Places, and that the list of Polling Stations adopted by the Returning Officer for those Polling Places (as attached as Appendix A to the report) be noted.

 

(b)               Establishment of a Parish Council for Havenstreet and Ashey

 

(Mr D Williams declared a personal interest in minute 92 (b) as a member of the Isle of Wight Association of Town and Parish Councils)

 

Council considered a report from the Chief Executive Officer setting out a proposed response from the Council to the recent petition received for the establishment of a Parish Council for Havenstreet and Ashey.

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the following comments on the petition for the establishment of a Parish Council for Havenstreet and Ashey be made:

 

(a)                 That the Isle of Wight Council support the petition for the establishment of the “Havenstreet and Ashey” Parish Council.

 

(b)                 That the boundaries of the Parish Council be as defined by the map presented with the Petition (and as set out in Appendix A to the report).

 

(c)                 That the boundaries of the existing Isle Of Wight Council Electoral Divisions of Ashey and Wootton, and the existing boundary of Wootton Bridge Parish Council be amended, so that they become coterminous with those of the proposed “Havenstreet and Ashey” Parish Council.

 

(d)                 That the Parish Council should consist of six members.

 

(e)                 That the Parish Council area should not be divided into Wards.

 

93.             CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW

 

Council considered a report from the Leader on the technical review of the constitution undertaken as part of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment Improvement Plan and the proposal to further action designed to improve the constitutional arrangements of the Council.

 

During the debate it became apparent that although a consultation paper had been circulated to members for comment there were still a number of comments that had yet to be fed into the final version and therefore it was

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the matter be deferred to the next meeting in order to take into account comments had been received after the publication of the report

 

94.             EXECUTIVE

 

(a)               Reports of the Portfolio Holders

 

(i)                 The Leader

 

The Leader updated the Council on the possibility of the Boundary Committee undertaking an early review of the Electoral Divisions on the Island.

 

The Leader then answered a number of oral questions.

 

(ii)               The Deputy Leader

 

In the absence of the Deputy Leader the Leader indicated that there was nothing to report at this stage to the Council.

 

(iii)             Economic Development, UK and EU, Regional Issues

 

The Portfolio Holder updated the Council on a recent EU Policy document that could significantly affect the way European Islands were funded.

 

The Portfolio Holder answered a question relating to the area cost adjustment.

 

(iv)              Education and Community Development

 

The Portfolio Holder updated the Council on a recent conference entitled ‘The Childcare Revolution and Beyond’ that she had recently attended as well as the latest position regarding Children’s Services.

 

The Portfolio Holder informed members of the current situation relating to Children’s Centres and in response to a question would endeavour to write to the Minister regarding the very tight timescales for submitting plans

 

(v)                Fire, Emergency Planning and Consumer Protection

 

In the absence of the Portfolio Holder the Leader indicated that there was nothing to report at this stage to the Council.

 

(vi)              Resources

 

The Portfolio Holder indicated there was nothing to report.

 

(vii)            Social Services and Housing

 

Mr Buckle asked a written question (to which an appropriate reply was given) on the progress of provision for homeless people (MQ 14/04).

 

The Portfolio Holder answered questions relating to his recent delegated decision to increase charges for meals on wheels, home care and day care services.

 

(viii)          Sustainable Development, Environment and Planning Policy

 

The Portfolio Holder updated the Council on the latest position regarding GM crops.

 

The Portfolio Holder answered questions relating to planning policy and future development of sites for housing.

 

(ix)              Tourism and Leisure

 

The Portfolio Holder updated the Council on discussions with the tourist industry relating to membership of a new body and reported recent success at the Birmingham Trade Industry Show.

 

The Portfolio Holder answered a question relating to potential effects of charging for car parking on visitor attractions at Fort Victoria.

 

(x)                Transport

 

The Portfolio Holder updated the Council on a new discount travel scheme available in the Portsmouth and Southampton area.

 

 

The meeting closed at 13.38.

 

                       

 

 

                       

CHAIRMAN