MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 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, 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, Mrs M A Jarman, Mr P D Joyce, Mr G S Kendall, Mr D J Knowles, Mr C H Lillywhite, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr A J Mellor, Mr V J Morey, Mr M O Morgan Huws, Mr A J Mundy, Mrs E Oulton, Mr G P Price, Mr H Rees, Mr R C Richards, Mrs S A Smart, Mr I R Stephens, Mr A A Taylor, Mrs J L Wareham, Mrs J White, Mr D G Williams and Mr D T Yates

Apologies :

Mr B E Abraham, Mr B C Buckle, Mr J F Howe, Mrs B Lawson, Mrs M J Miller, Mr K Pearson, Mr R A Sutton, Mr J A M D Whittaker

46. MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT, subject to the addition of Mr J Effemey to the list of Apologies, the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2003 be approved.

47. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Mr G Kendall declared a personal interest in Minute Number 50 – The Future of Health and Social Care Services – as a non executive Director of the Primary Care Trust.

48. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Questions were put to the Chairman as follows :

Mr Howes concerning the setting of next year’s Council Tax level to which the Leader gave an appropriate reply (PQ 37/03).

Ms Pilgrim concerning a planning application at Puckpool Park. The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development, Environment and Planning Policy gave an appropriate reply (PQ38/03).

Mrs McRobert asked an oral question relating to information that had been provided concerning the provision of Public Conveniences in other areas. The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development, Environment and Planning Policy replied accordingly.

Mr Wortham asked an oral question relating to the Tony Hall report on the 2002 Rock Festival. The Leader replied accordingly.

49. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

The Chairman congratulated all staff on the success of this years Cowes Week. She reported on a number of visits by various community groups to the Council Chamber during the summer and congratulated Mr Rees on being appointed the UK Vice President of the Islands Commission.

50. THE FUTURE OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE SERVICES

The Council debated the future of health and social care services on the Island and noted that a detailed debate on the future provision of health services was scheduled for the next meeting. During the debate Mr Kendall moved and Mr Rees seconded, a motion reaffirming the principles behind the statement of intent approved by the Council on 11 June 2003.

Following a vote it was

RESOLVED :

THAT this Council believes that there are real benefits to be gained by bringing together the statutory health and social care bodies on this Island. Accordingly we wish to engage with our partners in considering organisational integration to produce fewer but stronger agencies servicing the needs of the Island community.

51. FINAL ACCOUNTS 2002-2003

The report of the Portfolio Holder for Resources on the final accounts of the Council for 2002-2003 was submitted.

RESOLVED:

THAT the Statement of Accounts for the financial year ending March 2003 be approved.

52. APPOINTMENT TO VACANCIES ON THE STANDARDS COMM ITTEE

RESOLVED :

THAT Mr Bruce Claxton and Mrs Joy Harding be appointed to two of the vacancies for three independent members on the Standards Committee until 5 May 2005.

53. EXECUTIVE

Reports Of The Portfolio Holders

(i) The Leader

Mr Mazillius submitted a question (and was given a reply) on the level of Council tax for second homes and arrangements for pensioners to pay a different level of Council Tax (MQ30/03).

The Leader updated the Council on the initial feedback of the Peer Review Team, Cowes Week 2003 and the opening of the Military Road.

(ii) The Deputy Leader

The Deputy Leader updated the Council, and answered various questions, on the GAGS project that was due to be considered by the Executive at their meeting on 24 September 2003.

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

The Portfolio Holder updated the Council on various regional and EU issues including the latest statistics on the GVA of the Island. Copies of various reports would be made available to all Members.

(iv) Education and Lifelong Learning

In the absence of Portfolio Holder the Deputy Leader updated members on the OFSTED and various other inspections currently in progress or about to happen.

(v) Fire, Emergency Planning and Consumer Protection

The Portfolio Holder submitted a written report on his attendance at the annual Fire Conference and updated the Council on work being undertaken by the Consumer Protection Section with regard to controlling the selling of cars in lay-bys.

(vi) Resources

The Portfolio Holder updated the Council on the “Pennies from Heaven” scheme.

(vii) Social Services and Housing

The Portfolio Holder updated the Council on the Green Paper on Children’s Services and his visit (with the Portfolio holder for Education and Lifelong Learning) to East Dumbartonshire Council to view their combined Education and Social Services department.

(viii) Sustainable Development, Environment and Planning Policy

The Portfolio Holder updated the Council on various coast protection works that had been commenced.

(ix) Tourism and Leisure

The Portfolio Holder updated members on the success of Cowes Week and some examples of positive coverage of the Isle of Wight in national newspapers.

(x) Transport

Mr Mazillius submitted a question (and was given a reply) on the park and ride scheme at Somerton (MQ31/03).

Mr Effemey submitted a question (and was given a reply) on the traffic arrangements for people leaving the Cowes Week Fireworks (MQ32/03)

The Portfolio Holder submitted a written report updating members on a number of issues and emphasised those relating to resident’s parking schemes.

The meeting closed at 12.45.

CHAIRMAN