MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2005 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mrs M A Jarman (Chairman), Mr B E Abraham, Mr J R Adams, Mr R R Barry, Mr A C Bartlett, Mr J A Bowker, Mrs T M Butchers, Mr C B 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, Mr C M Gauntlett, Mr C R Hancock, Mr P G Harris, Mr J F Howe, Miss H L Humby, Mr P D Joyce, Mr G S Kendall, Mr D J Knowles, Mrs B Lawson, Mr C H Lillywhite, Mr R G Mazillius,

Mrs M J Miller, Mr V J Morey, Mr A J Mundy, Mrs E Oulton, Mrs L J Peacey-Willcox 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 D G Williams,

Apologies :

Mrs D Gardiner, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr A J Mellor, M Mr M O Morgan Huws,

Mrs J White, Mr J A M D Whittaker, Mr D T Yates

75. MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2004 be confirmed.

76. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

77. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Mr J Wortham asked a verbal question regarding recent action the Chief Executive had taken in support of the Director of Environment Services. The Leader offered to supply a written response.

Mrs M Swann asked a verbal question regarding the three tier education system and if authorities with the same system had been consulted before the Council commissioned Consultants to advise on the LEA’s education system. The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services provided a verbal reply to be followed with a written reply.

78. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

The Chairman updated Members on the Goodwill Fund, which was set up in response to the Tsunami Disaster. So far £1,305 has been raised.

79. MAYORAL REFERENDUM

The Council considered a report by the Chief Executive with Proposals for submission to the Secretary of State. The Leader recommended that the Proposals be submitted to the Secretary of State and that the Mayoral Referendum take place on 5 May 2005.

The recommendation was moved and seconded and it was:

RESOLVED:

a) THAT this Council approve and submit the proposals for Executive arrangements;

b) THAT the Referendum is held on 5 May 2005.

80. EXECUTIVE

a) Report of the Leader of the Council under rule 17(C) Access to Information Procedure Rules

The Council considered a report (Paper C and Appendix 1) of the Leader. The Leader recommended that Councillor Fox is removed from the Executive and that for the rest of this Council the size of the Executive is reduced from 10 to 9.

The recommendation from the Leader was moved and seconded.

During the debate an amendment was moved by Mr Sutton:

‘In order that this Council can adopt a Cabinet consisting of 7 members:

1. To delete 9 and insert 7

2. To add “The Council instructs it’s Monitoring Officer to present an amended constitution, implementing the change, to the next meeting of the Full Council.”

The amendment was seconded and a debate followed. The amendment was put to the vote and lost.

It was:

RESOLVED

a) THAT Councillor Harris take responsibility for the Portfolio for Transport with immediate effect.

b) THAT Councillor Fox is removed from the Executive and at least for the rest of this Council, the size of the Executive is reduced from 10 to 9.

b) Reports of the Portfolio Holders

i) The Leader

The Leader answered a number of oral questions concerning the Council’s response to the Tsunami disaster; the positive budget effect from the Council’s landfill and recycling initiatives, and concerns regarding the continuing deficit of the Council pension fund.

ii) The Deputy Leader

The Deputy Leader answered a question concerning performance monitoring.

iii) Transport

The Portfolio Holder answered a number of oral questions.

iv) Tourism and Leisure

The Portfolio Holder circulated a written report updating the Council on press and PR, marketing, Tourism Information Centre’s, Call centre, Destination Management System and Leisure Services.

The Portfolio Holder then answered a number of oral questions relating to the Council’s contract with Solo.

v) Sustainable Development, Environment and Planning Policy

The Portfolio Holder circulated a written report updating the Council on fallen stock, asbestos, Eastern Yar and Bembridge Harbour Joint Strategy and water resource management.

vi) Resources

The Portfolio Holder gave an oral update on a website trial with the aim of enabling those Members’ who wish to have their own website to be provided with this resource. The Portfolio Holder answered a number of oral questions relating to this trial.

The Portfolio Holder answered a number of oral questions concerning elections, Parish precepts, and SRB expenditure in Ryde.

vii) Fire, Emergency Planning and Consumer Protection

The Portfolio Holder answered a number of oral questions concerning CCTV and consumer protection. In reply to questions concerning the 2005-06 Hampshire Police Authority precept linking to the Hampshire County Council Community Police Support Officers, the Portfolio Holder agreed that he would look in to the matter.

viii)Economic Development, UK and EU, Regional Issues

The Portfolio Holder gave an oral update and answered a number of oral questions concerning the SRB audit, funding funnels and the S.E Plan.

ix) Children’s Services

The Portfolio Holder gave an oral update and answered a number of oral questions relating to school organisation and school budget control.

x) Adult and Community Services

The Portfolio Holder gave an oral update on libraries, the Transitional Steering Board and homelessness.

The Portfolio Holder then answered a number of oral questions relating to home ownership and housing, the housing register and social care provision.

The meeting closed at 11.50 am

CHAIRMAN